The History of Ecuador

Agriculture

500

Agricuture was extremely important in Ancient Times. Ecuador's indigenous people grew a lot of corn and other crops like squash, beans, quinoa, and potatoes.

Ceramics

500

The indigenous people of Ecuador, the Quechuas, made a lot of ceramics. The artifacts in Ecuador are the oldest in North or South America, they are from as early as 3500B.C.

Quechuas conquered

Jan 1, 1400

The indigenous Quechua people, were conquered by the Chancas in the early 1400s. The Quechua people and Chancas were then combined.

Incas Invade Ecuador

Jan 1, 1450

The Inca Empire invaded Ecuador in the 1450s. The indigenous people who lived in Ecuador, now the Chancas and the original Quechuas were now part of the Inca Empire. The empire had a greatly developed government and spoke Quechuan.

Francisco Pizarro conquers the Inca Empire

Jan 1, 1535

In the city of Cajamarca, Peru, a Spanish conquistador, Franciso Pizarro, met with the the Incan emperor, Atahuallpa. Atahuallpa refused to convert to Christianity or to let Pizarro be his leader. Pizarro and his followers kidnapped Atahuallpa and took over the Inca Empire by killing 2000 Native Americans.

Ecuador becomes part of the Federation of Greater Colombia

Jan 1, 1822

When Ecuador gained political independence from Spain in 1822, Ecuador became part of the Federation of Greater Colombia, along with Venezuela and Colombia.

Independence

Jan 1, 1830

Ecuador became an indepedent nation-state in 1830. Ecuador protests that they unfairly lost major territories of land to other countries close by, especially Peru. Ecaudor has authority over the Galapagos Islands.

Religion

Jan 1, 1900

Ecuador is extremely Roman Catholic. The Roman Catholic Church plays a factor in education, social services, and places for important festivals.

Political Instability

Jan 1, 1900

Ecuador suffers from political instability. In 150 years, there were 86 changes in government, making for about 1.75 years in office per person.