UNIT 15: MODERN LATIN AMERICA

Where is Latin America?  Latin America is defined as Central and South America.  The term “Latin” stems from the language spoken in the region being of Latin descent (Spanish, Portuguese, French)

A Brief History of Latin America before WWII…  Home of indigenous tribes like the Maya in central America (250 A.D), and the Aztecs in Mexico and the Inca in Peru (both around 1200).  Conquered by the Europeans in 1500’s to 1700’s, especially Spain, Portugal, and France.  Independence was first achieved in Haiti in 1808, and this inspiration (and an end to European colonialism in the new world) led to independence for most Latin American nations by  Following the exit of the Europeans, the Americans had tremendous influence on the region……

Key Issues in Modern Latin America in the 20 th Century  Developing Economies – Nations struggle in how to shift from agricultural society to developed nations following WWII.  Issues with Industrialization – As nations industrialize, challenges with population growth, the environment, and social classes take hold.  Political and Social Issues – Shifting from autocratic to democratic nations is a long and often bloody process.

Developing Economies  Many countries have monocultures, or are based on just one or two crops.  Venezuela and Mexico = Oil  Colombia and Central America = Coffee  Leads to economic roller coaster when prices rise and fall.  Debt is a large economic problem in Latin America.  Trying to expand their economies, many nations like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil have taken large loans and struggled to repay them in the past.  Governments are forced to produce more money.  This leads to inflation and social class struggles.

Becoming Economic Allies  Many Latin American countries depend on the U.S. and each other for trading.  The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada all trade free of tariffs.  Has led to many multinational corporations, or foreign- owned businesses.  Many other countries in Latin American have similar agreements to reduce dependency on larger nations.

Key Question…  What are some of the effects of having multinational corporations?  Who do they really benefit?

Industrialization  Before industrialization, most nations have a high birthrate and high death rate.  Industrialization lowers death rates as living conditions improve.  Generally leads to a population boom.  Latin America’s population has more than tripled since WWII to almost 590 million people.  Leads to increased poverty and a move to cities to find employment.  Leads to the building of makeshift towns on unowned streets.  Leads to the cutting of rainforests to develop more land for people to live in.

Political and Social Issues  Military led dictatorships and wealthy rulers have long been very influential in Latin America.  Latin America has the sharpest divide between wealthy and poor in the world.  Latin America was also a battleground of political ideas during the Cold War.  Communism vs. Capitalism leaders. Example of Fidel Castro in Cuba.  Today, many countries remain with unstable leadership.

 Slums in Sao Paulo, Brazil….

MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA Latin America Day 2 Notes

Mexico’s Economic Issues  Huge oil reserves are discovered in Mexico in the 1970s.  Mexican leaders borrow huge loans without fear of being able to repay them.  World oil market slumps in the 1980s and leads to disaster and inflation. Around the same time a massive earthquake hits Mexico City.  Mexico suffers it’s worst economic collapse in history in Politically and economically it has been trying to recover ever since.

Immigration Issues  Around the same time as Mexico’s economy collapsed, the population was growing.  Many people begin looking for work but there was none to find.  Thousands of Mexicans begin crossing into the U.S. to find work.  The trend has continued into today. As Mexico’s economic problems continue close to 7 million undocumented immigrants from Mexico are inside the U.S. as we speak!

Key Question…  If there is no work to be found in Mexico, why do we hold it against people for coming to the U.S.?  wp- content/uploads/2011/ 07/alabama- immigration-cartoon.jpg wp- content/uploads/2011/ 07/alabama- immigration-cartoon.jpg  Wouldn’t you do the same?

Mexico’s Drug Issues  Since 2000 Mexico’s drug war has dominated headlines.  Presidents Vicente Fox ( ), Felipe Calderon ( ), & Enrique Pena Nieto (currently) have called on military and police officials to stop drug cartels.  The result has been a substantial increase of terroristic attacks.  Over 11,000 people died from drug cartel related attacks in 2010, and things are getting worse.  / /5666  mages/cartoonuploads/arrestchapo_500_ 400.jpg mages/cartoonuploads/arrestchapo_500_ 400.jpg  mexico-drug_gang_violence- gang_violence-mexico_drug_trade- drug_cartels-amrn887_low.jpg mexico-drug_gang_violence- gang_violence-mexico_drug_trade- drug_cartels-amrn887_low.jpg

Common Characteristics in South America  All countries in South America are democracies.  A couple leaders have expressed concerns about the U.S.’s influence in the region, which is as great as ever, including...  Bolivia’s president Evo Morales:  Especially Venezuela’s recently deceased president Hugo Chavez  Most countries have high literacy rates (over 90%) and life expectancies in the 70s.

Lasting Issues in Latin America  Which lasting issue is most important for many Latin American countries to address to improve the world?  Drugs?  Political corruption?  Economic struggles?  Immigration?