Ketchup was once sold as a medicine. “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.

Trends in Latin America After World War II many countries in Latin America struggled to address problems of poverty and inequality. 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. Economic Trends 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 Results

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. 1950s, Cuba very dependent on U.S. - economy Cuba one of richest Latin America countries Most Cubans could not earn living Reasons for Revolt 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 U.S. Support Revolutionaries under Castro Led unsuccessful attack, 1953; guerrilla war became full-scale revolution, 1955 Batista fled 1959; Castro took control Castro

Goals of the Revolution The Cuban Revolution 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 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 Castro’s Programs

The Cuban Revolution U.S. Involvement Organization of American States 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

Results of the Revolution Economic Effects of Revolution The Cuban Revolution 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 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 Economic Effects of Revolution

Other Conflicts Causes Guatemala U.S. Concerns CIA Intervention 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.

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. 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 Peronism Tried, failed to boost industrialization, farming Became dictator Peron’s downfall, 1955, followed by decades of economic, political turmoil Radical Changes 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 Dirty War

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 Rapid Growth Achieved at Cost 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 Panama Canal U.S. Action During the 1980s, Panama was controlled by Manuel Noriega. Noriega brutally crushed enemies and used the country as a base for drug smuggling. 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 Panama Canal U.S. sent troops to arrest Noriega, 1989 Noriega arrested, imprisoned in Florida for drug trafficking Democratic elections, 1994 Canal transferred smoothly, 1999 U.S. Action

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.

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. Many failed to achieve social, economic reforms Poverty, malnutrition, infant mortality remained high Failures of Dictatorships Landless poor streamed into cities, searched for work “Brazilian miracle” miracle for military, landowners, wealthy business people only Peasants Dictatorships did not bring stability Death squads, civil rights repressed, mysterious disappearances, torture, killings People began to demand change No Security

A Peaceful Transition Voting Rights 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

Return of Democracy 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