GLOBAL INTERDEPENDENCE PART I OF XIII

Political Unrest in Latin America

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ARGENTINA

By 1900, Argentina was the richest nation in Latin America. However, the Great Depression of the 1930s had a devastating effect on the country. A military coup brought Juan Peron to power in 1946.

Juan Peron Juan Peron was a former army colonel.Juan Peron was a former army colonel. He appealed to Argentine nationalism by limiting foreign-owned businesses and by promoting import substitution, in which local manufacturers produce goods at home to replace imported products.He appealed to Argentine nationalism by limiting foreign-owned businesses and by promoting import substitution, in which local manufacturers produce goods at home to replace imported products.

Peron gained popularity by boosting wages, strengthening labor unions, and beginning social welfare programs.Peron gained popularity by boosting wages, strengthening labor unions, and beginning social welfare programs. Ultimately, Peron’s government was seen as being repressive and his economic policies led to huge debts.Ultimately, Peron’s government was seen as being repressive and his economic policies led to huge debts. In 1955, he lost power in a military coup.In 1955, he lost power in a military coup.

The Mothers of the Plaza De Maya In 1976, Argentina’s government began a program of state terrorism against leftist guerilla groups.In 1976, Argentina’s government began a program of state terrorism against leftist guerilla groups. Known as the “Dirty War,” the military arrested, tortured, and killed thousands of people.Known as the “Dirty War,” the military arrested, tortured, and killed thousands of people.

As many as 20,000 people simply “disappeared.As many as 20,000 people simply “disappeared.

Many of those who vanished were young people.Many of those who vanished were young people. Mothers of the desaparecidos, or disappeared ones, marched silently every week in Buenos Aires, holding pictures of their children.Mothers of the desaparecidos, or disappeared ones, marched silently every week in Buenos Aires, holding pictures of their children. These protests won worldwide attention.These protests won worldwide attention.

Argentina today… In 2001, an economic crisis disrupted the country causing widespread public protests and continued financial, political, and social instability.In 2001, an economic crisis disrupted the country causing widespread public protests and continued financial, political, and social instability.

Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution Causes and Impact

After winning independence from Spain, Cuba had been heavily influenced by the United States.After winning independence from Spain, Cuba had been heavily influenced by the United States. In 1952, Fulgencio Batista seized power and established a repressive and corrupt government.In 1952, Fulgencio Batista seized power and established a repressive and corrupt government.

Among those who opposed Batista was a young lawyer named Fidel Castro.Among those who opposed Batista was a young lawyer named Fidel Castro. He organized a guerilla army and fought against Batista.He organized a guerilla army and fought against Batista. Once gaining victory in 1959, Castro established a communist dictatorship in Cuba and turned to the Soviet Union for support.Once gaining victory in 1959, Castro established a communist dictatorship in Cuba and turned to the Soviet Union for support.

In 1961, the United States backed a plot by Cuban exiles to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs.In 1961, the United States backed a plot by Cuban exiles to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. The invading forces were quickly crushed and in 1962, the U.S. imposed a trade embargo on Cuba.The invading forces were quickly crushed and in 1962, the U.S. imposed a trade embargo on Cuba.

Angered by American interference, Castro allowed the Soviet Union to build nuclear missile bases in Cuba, just 90 miles off the coast of Florida…aka: the Cuban Missile Crisis.Angered by American interference, Castro allowed the Soviet Union to build nuclear missile bases in Cuba, just 90 miles off the coast of Florida…aka: the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Under pressure from U.S. President Kennedy, the Soviet Union finally agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a pledge that the United States would not invade Cuba.Under pressure from U.S. President Kennedy, the Soviet Union finally agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a pledge that the United States would not invade Cuba.

Cuba today… Cuba was heavily supported by the Soviet Union until the collapse of communism.Cuba was heavily supported by the Soviet Union until the collapse of communism. Cuba’s economy has since suffered greatly from the loss of these trading partners.Cuba’s economy has since suffered greatly from the loss of these trading partners.

Nicaragua and the Sandinistas

From 1936 to 1979, the Somoza family had governed Nicaragua.From 1936 to 1979, the Somoza family had governed Nicaragua. The Somozas were repressive but had close ties with the United States because of their anti- communist stance.The Somozas were repressive but had close ties with the United States because of their anti- communist stance.

In 1979, the Sandinistas, a group that included both reform-minded nationalists and communists, overthrew the Somoza government.In 1979, the Sandinistas, a group that included both reform-minded nationalists and communists, overthrew the Somoza government.

The Sandinistas in Power The Sandinistas set up a government under the leadership of Daniel Ortega.The Sandinistas set up a government under the leadership of Daniel Ortega. Many in the government were Socialists or Communists.Many in the government were Socialists or Communists. The new government introduced some reforms and socialized policies.The new government introduced some reforms and socialized policies. At the same time, it grew closer to Cuba and other communist nations.At the same time, it grew closer to Cuba and other communist nations.

The Contras In the 1980s, the Sandinistas faced armed opposition from the Contras, a counter-revolutionary group.In the 1980s, the Sandinistas faced armed opposition from the Contras, a counter-revolutionary group. Fearing the spread of communism, the United States supported the Contras in their fight against the Sandinistas.Fearing the spread of communism, the United States supported the Contras in their fight against the Sandinistas.

A civil war soon followed, leading to many deaths and weakening the Nicaraguan economy.A civil war soon followed, leading to many deaths and weakening the Nicaraguan economy. In 1990, the Sandinistas handed over power to a freely elected president, Violeta Chamorro.In 1990, the Sandinistas handed over power to a freely elected president, Violeta Chamorro.

Nicaragua today… Today, Nicaragua is still struggling to rebuild its failing economy which has devastated the country for the past two decades.Today, Nicaragua is still struggling to rebuild its failing economy which has devastated the country for the past two decades.

GUATEMALA and the Indigenous Indians

In Guatemala, the United States helped to overthrow Jacob Arbenz in 1954, after his land reforms threatened U.S. business interests within the region.In Guatemala, the United States helped to overthrow Jacob Arbenz in 1954, after his land reforms threatened U.S. business interests within the region. As a result, a civil war soon began as landowners and the military struggled to regain control of the country.As a result, a civil war soon began as landowners and the military struggled to regain control of the country.

The Indigenous Indians, those who had lived there for years and who were in the majority, suffered severely.The Indigenous Indians, those who had lived there for years and who were in the majority, suffered severely. As many as 30,000 were killed as a result of the civil war fighting.As many as 30,000 were killed as a result of the civil war fighting.

Guatemala today… Rebels finally laid down their arms in 1996, when a peace accord was reached.Rebels finally laid down their arms in 1996, when a peace accord was reached. The accord brought hope for increased rights for all citizens of Guatemala, including the Indian population.The accord brought hope for increased rights for all citizens of Guatemala, including the Indian population.