Colonialism arrived in Latin America in the 15th century by Europeans. They discovered three forms of civilization: there were the Maya, the Aztecs and the Incas (MLA, page 13). After the arrival of the Europeans the nation transformed its cultural adaptations and repressions. Before the independence of Latin America, three institutions exercised control over the population of Latin America. First there was the Spanish crown where the colonist had to produce income and did so by placing a tax on everything. Government was universal and relatively efficient because it had to be to collect taxes. Secondly there was the Catholic Church, which had a strong influence on people's daily lives. Finally, there was patriarchy (MLA, p.20). In Latin America, as in most of the world, men had complete control over their wives. These were mainly property rights because illegitimate children can inherit their father's property. However, it seemed to be conceived as a path to purity. However, Latin American society featured a wide range of cultural mixes. A new Latin American culture emerged by mixing one white from Spain, called peninsulares, two whites born in the Americas called Creoles, three Native Americans, and four African slaves (MLA, p. 20). This caused a great deal of racial diversity and social hierarchy. There were four basic racial categories: white, black, mixed race, a mix of white and American Indian, and mulatto, a mix of black and white (MLA, p. 19). There were constant attempts to classify and divide them into their own racial group. From the 16th century onwards, Latin America had an enormous diversity of mixed-race people. During the 19th century, Latin America saw rapid social changes... mid-paper... became independent from Spain under some conditions; The United States Army would occupy Cuba and the Platt Amendment would be inserted into their constitution. The Platt Amendment was a guideline added by the United States Congress. This kept Cuba controlled and protected by the United States. The Platt Amendment “gave the United States the right to intervene at will in domestic politics.” Cuba was an American territory. The Cubans saw this as an elimination of their independence. The Platt Amendment remained in effect until 1934 when both agreed to overturn it. At that point Cuba separated from the United States and became a free country. Just as the nations of Latin America gained independence from Spain and Portugal, Northern Europe and the United States were also entering the process of industrialization and were in great need of raw materials.