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South America

South America. Latin America Day 4 Notes. South America…. Common Characteristics in South America. All countries in South America are democracies. A couple leaders have expressed concerns about the U.S.’s influence in the region, which is as great as ever, including...

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South America

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  1. South America Latin America Day 4 Notes

  2. South America….

  3. Common Characteristics in South America • All countries in South America are democracies. • A couple leaders have expressed concerns about the U.S.’s influence in the region, which is as great as ever, including... • Bolivia’s president Evo Morales • Especially Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez (now dead) • Most countries have high literacy rates (over 90%) and life expectancies in the 70s.

  4. South America Case Study: Brazil • Brazil’s military has had a huge influence on it’s government. • Beginning around 1965, the military government forced businesses to pay people less and pressured labor union leaders into accepting it. • They also encouraged foreign companies to use the cheap labor for their benefit. • The policy was great for Brazil’s economy as it grew so fast it was called “The Brazilian Miracle.”

  5. Sacrifices for the Brazilian Miracle… • Civil Rights were lost. • Not allowed to criticize leaders or form political parties. • All opposition was outlawed. • Brazil in heavy debt. • By 1980 Brazil had more debt than any other developing nation in the world. • In 1990, Brazil became a representative democracy like the U.S. and gradually paid off their debts. The results have been mostly positive in the last twenty years. • Brazil will host the Olympics in 2016.

  6. Issues in Argentina • Argentina, South America’s second largest country, has had similar ups and downs politically. • Led by the Peron family, including Juan Peron and his wife, celebrity hero Eva “Evita” Peron, Argentina was a military dictatorship after WWII. • When Evita died in 1952, the military was unafraid to overthrow Juan. • Political instability with heavy military influence was in place until the mid 1980s. • Inflation and debt have plagued the country since, but today they have high economic growth despite corruption, poverty, and a large gap between wealthy and poor.

  7. Drug Issues in South America… • Following WWII, Colombia was considered a model for democracy in Latin America. • Drugs have changed their fortunes since. • Marijuana and cocaine cartels have overtaken the country. • In the 1980s the Columbian government tried to fight back, but it led to open warfare on the streets. • By 1995, the Cali cartel controlled about 70 percent of the world trade in cocaine. • U.S. has spent nearly $5 billion to help Colombia fight against drugs, but still no end to the struggles.

  8. Lasting Issues in Latin America • Which lasting issue is most important for many Latin American countries to address to improve the world? • Drugs? • Political corruption? • Economic struggles? • Immigration?

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