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“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela. Ketchup was once sold as a medicine. Revolution and Intervention. Main Idea
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“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela Ketchup was once sold as a medicine.
Revolution and Intervention Main Idea In reaction to economic and social conditions in Latin America after World War II, many Central American countries experienced revolutions that involved intervention by the United States.
Economic Trends Results • Roots of poverty, inequality result of history of colonialism • Most land, wealth in hands of elite • Economies based on agricultural exports • To decrease dependence on foreign countries - industrialization policy adopted • However, still dependent on foreign investment, tech, military aid. • Rural land use remained a major issue • Large gap between rich, poor major social issue • Liberation Theology promoted by priests • Unable to make living in rural areas, people flocked to region’s cities - movement caused rapid urbanization – life still difficult Trends in Latin America After World War II many countries in Latin America struggled to address problems of poverty and inequality.
Reasons for Revolt U.S. Support Castro • 1950s, Cuba very dependent on U.S. - economy • Cuba one of richest Latin America countries • Most Cubans could not earn living • Business interests encouraged U.S. government support of corrupt dictators • Anticommunist Fulgencio Batista took power in 1952 military coup • Batista’s coup stirred discontent, nationalism among poor • Revolutionaries under Castro • Led unsuccessful attack, 1953; guerrilla war became full-scale revolution, 1955 • Batista fled 1959; Castro took control The Cuban Revolution In Cuba, social and economic trends led to a revolution. There, social inequality and heavy U.S. influence led to a revolt that brought communism to this large Caribbean island.
Castro’s Programs Goals of the Revolution • Energies went to restructuring economy, society, government, foreign policy • 1961, program virtually eliminated illiteracy in one year • Created medical care system, raised life expectancy • Limited size of landholdings • Nationalized private property, businesses • Took full control of government – led Cuba on path to communism • Remove Batista • Middle-class Cubans supported moderate democratic reforms • Many Castro revolutionaries, including Che Guevara, wanted Marxist regime • Castro focused on ending U.S. dominance, redistributing wealth, reforming society The Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution • U.S. Involvement • Cuba’s move toward communism troubled U.S. leaders • Viewed Latin America as part of U.S. sphere of influence • Wanted to keep communism out of region • Organization of American States • Set up shortly after World War II to promote economic, military cooperation • 1961, U.S.-trained invasion force of Cuban exiles landed at Bay of Pigs • Mission to spark nationwide uprising against Castro; mission failed • Cuban Missile Crisis • 1962, CIA learned Soviet Union building nuclear missile site in Cuba • President John Kennedy ordered naval blockage to keep Soviet ships out • World came close to nuclear war before compromise, missiles removed
Economic Effects of Revolution Results of the Revolution • Mixed results as well; economy suffered from U.S. embargo • Castro’s policies led many Cubans to leave country, many for U.S.; caused economy to struggle • Castro relied on Soviet Union for economic support; Soviet collapse in 1991 hurt economy • Mixed results since Cold War; good access to health care, education • People’s civil liberties restricted under one-party system • Government jails opponents, spies on citizens The Cuban Revolution
Other Conflicts • Causes • Economic conditions not only cause of revolutions • Political corruption, repression • U.S. support for corrupt governments stirred nationalism • Guatemala • 1952, Guatemalan president Arbenz used land reform to redistribute land to peasants • Policy hurt American-owned United Fruit Company • U.S. Concerns • Pressure from United Fruit Company, concerns over Arbenz’ s leftist leanings • U.S. decided to remove from power • CIA Intervention • Intervened in coup that toppled Arbenz, replaced him • Start of repressive dictatorship • Civil war raged from 1970s until peace accord of 1996
The Rise of Dictatorships Main Idea Spiraling economic and social problems and political turmoil in Latin America led military leaders to seize power and install repressive regimes.
Peronism Radical Changes Dirty War • Juan Peron rose to power following military coup, 1943 • Proved to be populist, supporter of rights of common people • Created minimum wage, eight-hour workday, paid vacations • Built schools, hospitals, shelters • Tried, failed to boost industrialization, farming • Became dictator • Peron’s downfall, 1955, followed by decades of economic, political turmoil • 1976 to 1983, government carried out “dirty war” against suspected dissidents – critics of the government • 10,000 to 30,000 victims vanished during this time Argentina After World War II, Argentina and other Latin American countries saw a rise in dictatorships. Social and economic conditions allowed them to take tremendous power at the expense of people’s freedoms.
Brazil • Followed path similar to Argentina’s, though more stable for a time • Juscelino Kubitschek elected president in free election, 1954 • Promised “fifty years of progress in five” • Foreign investment flowed in, helped him achieve goal • Brasília • Results of economic progress seen in capital city, Brasília • Built in three years, cost $2 billion • Symbol of pride, modernity, but bankrupted Brazil’s economy • Military rulers seized control, 1964
Brazil • Under Military Rule • Military rulers achieved success, creating “Brazilian miracle” of 1968 to 1973 • Industrial exports, farming, mining grew • Economy grew faster during this time than any other in the world • Rapid Growth Achieved at Cost • To achieve rapid growth, military dictatorship froze wages • Living standards declined sharply • People who complained about government risked government death squads • Opposition Grew to Military • As opposition grew, economy spiraled into debt, hyperinflation • Extremely high level of inflation; economy growing too rapidly, too quickly • 1990 inflation rate more than 2,500 percent
Panama Canal U.S. Action • U.S. controlled since construction • Scheduled to be handed over to Panama, 1999 • Important to worldwide shipping • Noriega’s misrule threat to worldwide economic interests • U.S. sent troops to arrest Noriega, 1989 • Noriega arrested, imprisoned in Florida for drug trafficking • Democratic elections, 1994 • Canal transferred smoothly, 1999 Panama During the 1980s, Panama was controlled by Manuel Noriega. Noriega brutally crushed enemies and used the country as a base for drug smuggling.
Democratic and Economic Reforms Main Idea In the 1980s, repressive regimes in Latin America fell, and more moderate elected leaders brought some measure of political and economic progress.
Peasants No Security • Landless poor streamed into cities, searched for work • “Brazilian miracle” miracle for military, landowners, wealthy business people only • Dictatorships did not bring stability • Death squads, civil rights repressed, mysterious disappearances, torture, killings • People began to demand change • Many failed to achieve social, economic reforms • Poverty, malnutrition, infant mortality remained high Failures of Dictatorships Return of Democracy After decades, dictatorships across Latin America started falling in the 1980s and 1990s. Moderate civilian politicians put an end to military rule, and began a series of political and economic reforms.
A Peaceful Transition • Despite history of violence, return of democracy fairly peaceful • Combination of internal, external forces applied pressure for reform • International lenders demanded changes in way countries governed as a condition for receiving loans • Voting Rights • Pro-democracy groups called for countries to restore voting rights, allow political opposition • Military leaders relaxed restrictions, integrated limited freedoms • Given a chance to vote, people did • Voted out military, voted in new civilian governments
New civilian governments Democracy returned in Brazil, early 1970s Argentina returned to democracy after Falklands War, 1982 Central American countries Returned to relative calm 1980s, 1990s Elected moderate governments like that of Violeta Chamorro in Nicaragua Nicaraguan Contras – 1979 – 1990 – supported by U.S. War on Drugs – launched by Nixon in 1971, continues today Struggle with economy continues Return of Democracy