120 likes | 219 Views
By: Gina McNamee PSU 009. Argentina: Then and Now. The Beginning. In 1816: United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared independence from Spain Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay split off and Argentina was left Heavily influenced by immigrants from Europe ( mostly Italy and Spain)
E N D
By: Gina McNamee PSU 009 Argentina: Then and Now
The Beginning • In 1816: United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared independence from Spain • Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay split off and Argentina was left • Heavily influenced by immigrants from Europe ( mostly Italy and Spain) • Official language is Spanish
Basic Data • Located in South America • About 40 million people • Capital city: Buenos Aires, popular among tourists
Buenos Aires: Fiesta Town • Always been full of culture • Beach and city life • Top vacation destination
Political • Post World War II: Peronist authoritarian rulers, followed by a military power in 1976 • Democracy restored in 1983 and has been a force in the legal system since, despite many obstacles, including the economic fall of 2001 • Woman president; Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Economic Downfall • Debt due to National Reorganization Process, which was a result of previous military rule • Gross Domestic Product was decreasing (what a country puts in and gets out of the economy) • Riots erupted, country in a state of chaos
Economic Recovery • Since then, the economy has boomed and continues to do well • The government encouraged internal consumption • Two million jobs created since 2002
Human Trafficking • Argentine women and children are being sold and shipped to countries like Mexico, Paraguay, and Brazil for sexual exploitation • Includes slave labor in sweatshops and house servants • Suspected government corruption
Legal Prostitution? • Prostitution and brothels are illegal by law, but they are still advertised in local newspapers • Law enforcement simply isn’t there because they get benefits too
Recent Controversy with U.S. • According to NY Times: officials in Miami “alleged that a suitcase stuffed with $800,000 was intended to be a secret contribution to her [president Kirchner] campaign.” • Accused men were working with President Chavez (Venezuela) to deliver money • Kirchner lashed out at U.S. for meddling, denied accusations
Culture • Heart of Spanish culture • Merengue music, tango dancing • Soccer is a way of life • Spanish cafes • Known for art (Ramon Silva, Martin Malharro)