1. Contrasts in Governing
Chapter 6 Lesson 3 p. 208

2. Contrasts in Governing
Central America and Caribbean have history of different governing traditions.
Limited government – everyone, including government must obey laws
Constitutions, statements of citizens’ rights, laws define limits
Unlimited government – ruler alone has control
No limits on ruler’s authority

3. Central America’s Political Past
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua independent from Spain – 1821 –
Formed federation (union) called it United Provinces of Central America
Disagreement divided federation
Some wanted strong central government
Others favored states’ rights – idea that the individual countries or states have greater authority then central government

4. Central America’s Political Past
Constitution completed 1824
Abolished slavery
Ended special privileges for wealthy landowners
Disagreements ended United Provinces of Central America

5. Central America’s Political Past
Belize under British control
Panama became part of Colombia
1830s each country independent republic – citizens vote for officials who represent them
Wealthy landowners supported dictators – wanted privileges they had lost

6. Central America’s Political Past
Dictators took control of government in sudden/violent ways
Used same way to keep control
People formed guerrilla groups (small group of soldiers not part of regular army whose goal is to overthrow the dictatorship)
Civil wars common – a war between people of same country

7. Democracy in Central America
Today – all seven Central American countries democracies
Democracy – people in each country elect head of government and legislature to make country’s laws
Belize – parliamentary democracy like Canada – prime minister with help of Cabinet carries out operations of Belize government
Legislature makes laws
Part of Commonwealth of Nations because of colonial ties with Britain
British monarch official head of government – has little say in governing

8. Democracy in Central America
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
All republics – three separate branches of government
President – head of government
Legislature – makes laws
Judicial branch – decides if laws are fair

9. Democracy in Central America
Costa Rica – has important traits of democracy
Free elections, majority rule, participation of political parties, a guarantee of individual rights
Constitution guarantees rights that government cannot take away
Freedom of speech, equality before the law,
Right to own property, to assemble and to petition
Petition – formally ask for government action

10. Governing the Caribbean
Haiti – former French colony
First republic in Caribbean
Controlled all of Hispaniola until 1844
Dominican Republic declared independence
Late 1800s Europe losing interest in Caribbean colonies

11. Governing the Caribbean
United States playing more active role in region
1898 United States won Spanish-American War
Cuba independent
Puerto became Untied States Colony
1917 – purchased what is now US Virgin Islands from Denmark

12. Governing the Caribbean
Dictators controlled Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic – early 1900s
1959 guerrilla leader – Fidel Castro and his supporters overthrew dictator
Said goals were to bring equal rights to all Cubans and solve many of Cuba’s economic problems
Introduced communism – a system in which all property and all means of production belong to the people as a group

13. Governing the Caribbean
Dictators continue to rule Dominican Republic and Haiti
Attempts made to set up democracy – failed
Social and economic problems – people among poorest in world
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) $1,340
Life expectancy 49 years

14. Governing the Caribbean
1950s other islands became independent or gained self- government – control over local matters
1952 – Puerto Rico adopted constitution – made it a commonwealth of United States – people of Puerto are United States citizens
Exercise self-government
1954 United States provided for regular legislature in Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix)
Made them self-governing dependent territory – people also United States citizens

15. Governing the Caribbean
Britain, France, Netherlands have dependencies in Caribbean – not complete self-government
Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat – dependencies of Britain
British citizens
Each has governor appointed by British Parliament
Governor holds all authority

16. Governing the Caribbean
Britain – still has strong ties with islands that were once British colonies
Parliamentary democracies modeled after British Government
Members of British Commonwealth
Antigua, Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago

17. Governing the Caribbean
Martinique, Guadeloupe, half of island of St. Martin – dependencies of France
Leader call a prefect
Chosen by government in France
People considered French citizens
Elect members to local legislature
Sends representatives to French national legislature

18. Governing the Caribbean
Netherlands has similar relationship with its Caribbean island dependencies
Aruba, half of St. Martin, Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands controls defense and relations with other countries
Locally elected officials tend islands’ other governing needs