1. Latin America, Africa, The Middle East & Asia after WWII

2. I. Latin America Theme: power = corruption, reaction = revolution
Third world continent with western social/political structures, economic ties to U.S./Europe
After WWII: economic expansion/crisis divided Latin Amer. between revolutionaries and conservatives
Mexico – Party of Institutionalized Revolution (PRI) controlled Mexican politics for more than half of 20th century – very corrupt
Zapatistas revolt (1994) – intended to highlight neglected social issues
2000 – PRI control ended, election of Vincent Fox
Guatemala – poor nation, mostly illiterate, high mortality rate, land distributed unequally
Juan Jose Arevalo, later Colonel Jacobo Arbenz, tried to reform based on land reform and nationalization of areas of the economy
Conflicted with ideas/goals of United Fruit Company and landowners
U.S. feared “communist” takeover, sponsored military coup - leads to guerilla resistance movement, brutal military repression on population

3. I. Continued…
Cuba – originally, strong ties to U.S. through trade, later becomes enemy
Large middle class, high literacy and health rates, but huge gap between rural and urban life
Fulgencio Batista ruled Cuba from (as reformer), (as dictator)
Opposed by many, including Fidel Castro, who was imprisoned after 1953 attack
After release, teamed with Argentinean, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, spent two years gaining support against Batista’s government
Without support from U.S., Batista was driven from power
Castro bases government on Marxist/Leninist ideas
Foreign properties expropriated, farms collectivized, socialist economy
Backing of Soviet Union (Cuba would have failed without them)
Pattern of military takeovers throughout Latin America (often with help from U.S.)
Examples: Brazil (1964), Argentina (1966), Chile (1973)
1980s – return to civilian control, but with continued U.S. pressure/presence

4. II. Africa, The Middle East, & Asia
Newly independent nations face harsh reality after 1960s
How do you build a prosperous nation after decades/centuries of colonial rule?
Ethnic/religious divisions become more pronounced
Economies still strongly tied to Europeans
Population growth/pollution add to problems
Nationalist movements made big promises – often couldn’t live up
Internal rivalries overshadow independence
India: Pakistan and Bangladesh independence due to Muslim/Hindu tensions
Population explosion
Added to already huge population in Asia; Africa still rapidly growing
Colonialism brought new crops, law/order, transportation (prevented regional famines)
BUT, Europe limited industrialization – made it difficult to deal with population growth
Few jobs, little economic output, many areas still agriculture-based

5. II. Continued… Population explosion (continued…) Responses to problems
Leads to rapid urbanization
Planning can’t keep up – rise of slums, poor sanitation, spread of disease
Negative environmental effects – soil depletion, deforestation, industrial p ollution (no money for antipollution measures)
Responses to problems
Africa – rise of dictatorships
Education reforms, industrialization top priorities
Often faced opposition from rising political parties/ethnic rivals
Political leaders increasingly turn to fascist-style policies to squash competition
Little support from U.S. – policies often looked “socialist”
Military takeover common response to problems worldwide – Uganda, Congo, Myanmar (worst examples)

6. II. Continued… Responses to problems (continued…)
Egypt – not just another coup
Led by Gamal Abdul Nassar (1952)
Based on Free Officers Movement – secret organization opposed to British-controlled khedives
Self-rule for first time since 6th century
Land reforms, state-financed education, gov’t aid for farmers, foreign policy opposed Israel/European control of Suez Canal
Lack of money, population boom produce reform failures, lose to Israel (Six Day War, 1967)
Anwar Sadat forced to dismantle state-run programs, stopped fighting Israel, opened Egypt to U.S./European investment
Still a huge gap between rich and poor today (see modern revolution)
India – the same but different
Faced same problems with overpopulation, ethnic/religious divisions
But, larger industrial/scientific sector, better communications, more skilled middle class

7. II. Continued… Responses to problems (continued…) India (continued…)
Early leaders/military dedicated to democratic rule
Mixture of state and private investment – leads to rapid development in technology
Green Revolution – improved farming, more crops = more money
But problems remain
Can’t please everyone – religious/ethnic strife remains through today
Huge portion of population still very poor
Iran – rise of the theocracy, rejection of the West
Never a colony, but under sphere of western influence
1979 revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, return to religious fundamentalism
Islamic law codes become superior – veiling, limited opportunities for women
Isolate themselves from Western influence, wealth based on oil

8. Key Vocabulary: chs. 32-33 Third world PRI Zapatistas United Fruit Co.
Fidel Castro
Ernesto “Che” Guevara
Banana republics
Good Neighbor Policy
Alliance For Progress
Indira Gandhi
Benazir Bhutto
Religious revivalism
Primary products
Neocolonial economy
Muslim Brotherhood
Hosni Mubarak
Nelson Mandela
Steve Biko

9. 5-minute Response
What kind of generalizations can be made about the “third world” after WWII?