The Impact & Political Outcome of the Zapatista Guerrilla Movement in Mexico SS6H3 The student will analyze important 20th century issues in Latin America & the Caribbean

SS6He b. Explain the impact and political outcome of the Zapatista guerrilla movement in Mexico

Zapatista Guerrilla Movement in Mexico The Zapatistas are a group of Mexicans who support improved rights and living conditions for Mexico’s indigenous people. The group is named after Emiliano Zapata, who lived in the early 20th century and fought for the rights of native people. In the late 20th century, the Zapatistas were known for harassment and sabotage against the government

On January 1, 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect. This was a free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Some people in Mexico did not like this plan.

They thought that NAFTA would allow cheap farm goods to come into Mexico from the United States. The farmers in Mexico would not be able to compete with the cheaper food. On the day NAFTA took effect, a group of Mexicans called the Zapatistas took over several towns in their part of Mexico.

The army was sent in to remove the Zapatistas. Fighting lasted for several weeks. A cease-fire finally ended the fighting. The Zapatistas did not go away, however. Agreements between the Zapatistas and the government have not solved the problems the people have with the government.

The Zapatistas have control of some small parts of southern Mexico. The Zapatistas argue that the indigenous people of Mexico need more help to improve health care, housing, education, and jobs. The Zapatistas have formed friendships with groups in other countries that have similar goals.

In the beginning the Zapatistas were fighting for the cause of the indigenous people of Mexico. Now it seems they have more of the leftist Marxist agenda for Mexico.

Quiz Yourself The Zapatistas did not like NAFTA because they believed it would… Mean U.S. factories would move to Mexico Force Mexicans to move to the U.S. Hurt businesses in Canada and the U.S. Cause poor Mexican farmers to go out of business

2. Which group do the Zapatistas support? a. Canadian farmers b. U.S. factory workers c. indigenous people of Mexico d. poor farmers in North America

3. Which is an area of concern for the Zapatistas? a. acid rain b. deforestation c. housing d. religion

4. What did the Zapatistas do to show they were against NAFTA? a. attacked government troops in Mexico City b. took over several towns in southern Mexico c. formed friendships with groups in other countries with similar goals d. worked with the governments to improve the rights of the poor Mexicans