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Political and Economic Change in Latin America

Political and Economic Change in Latin America. Global 10 Onze. Latin America. Latin America is a diverse region with a variety of peoples. Geography has prevented unity. Share similar problems After WWII, political and social problems threatened stability in the region.

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Political and Economic Change in Latin America

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  1. Political and Economic Change in Latin America Global 10 Onze

  2. Latin America • Latin America is a diverse region with a variety of peoples. • Geography has prevented unity. • Share similar problems • After WWII, political and social problems threatened stability in the region. • Many people looked to authoritarian dictators for stability.

  3. Peninsulares: Native Spaniards Creoles: People of pure European blood But born in the New World P Mulattos: African + European blood C Mestizos: Indian + European blood M & M I & A Indians and Africans SOCIAL HIERARCHY

  4. Argentina • By 1900, the richest nation in LA • Great Depression devastated the economy. • Juan Peron comes to power in 1946 (Military Coup)

  5. Argentina: Juan Peron • Inspired nationalism by limiting foreign-owned businesses and promoting import substitution. • ??? • Increased wages and began social welfare. • Very repressive government. • Huge debt • Overthrown in 1955.

  6. Argentina: Dirty War • A new military government took control in 1976. • Began a program of state terrorism. • Military arrests, tortures and kills thousands. • Mothers of the “desaparecidos” marched weekly with pictures of their children. • Won worldwide attention

  7. Argentina: Democracy restored • 1983- free elections are held. • A new democratic government tried to control the military and restore human rights. • In 2001, an economic crisis resulted in widespread protests and instability.

  8. Guatemala • The Cold War caused the US to overthrow Arbenz in 1954 when his land reform threatened US businesses there. • Civil War broke out • 30,000 indigenous Indians were killed. • Rebels stopped fighting in 1996.

  9. El Salvador • Civil War • Left-wing revolutionaries (Communists) against right-wing forces (dictatorship) • US supports the right-wingers. • R-W kills anyone they think might be involved with the left. • 1991- peace agreement

  10. Nicaragua • The Somoza family ruled from 1936-1979. • Repressive government supported by the US. • Why? • 1979- the Sandinistas (Nationalists + Communists) overthrow Somoza. • Daniel Ortega heads the new government.

  11. Nicaragua: Ortega • Filled the government with Socialists and Communists. • Introduced reforms • Like what?? • Became allied with what other nations?

  12. Nicaragua: The Contras • The Contras led armed opposition in 1980 • US supported them with money, weapons and advisors. • Why?? • Civil War erupts • Cripples the economy • 1990- the Sandinistas give up power and free elections are held. • Violeta Chamorro becomes President

  13. Panama • In the late 1980s, the US suspected the leader of Panama, Manuel Noriega, of helping drug cartels smuggle drugs into the US. • The US invades Panama in 1989 and arrested him.

  14. The Panama Canal • The Panama Canal was built by the US in the early 1900s. • It connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. • In 1977, the US agreed to turn over control to Panama. • Panama gained control in 2000.

  15. Mexico • After the Mexican Revolution, one party (the PRI) dominated the government for 71 years. • The PRI suppressed protests by students in 1968. • How?? Like who?? • In 1994, Zapatista rebels demand change and are attacked.

  16. Mexico • In 2000, the PRI lose control and Vicente Fox of the PAN party is elected President. • PRI = Institutional Revolutionary Party • PAN = National Action Party • Fox made recent headlines by wanting to decriminalize drugs.

  17. Gap between rich and poor Small group controls most of the wealth Wealthy people against reforms Social classes Upper classes descend from Europeans Poor are Mestizo, Native Americans, and African Americans Population and Poverty Population explosion Not enough land to grow food Urban growth Migration of peasants to the cities (???) Growth of slums Rise of unemployment How does this impact the US??? Mexico: Causes of Unrest

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