1. Inspired by the American and
French Revolutions, Latin
American nationalists led
the region to freedom in the
1800s.

2. But while independence solved
some problems, it did not solve
all problems.

3. Many newly independent nations
were dependent on cash crops
for export.

4. A cash crop is a crop that is
produced for export. A country
that exports coffee or sugar
is dependent on the price of
that crop.

5. If the price falls, an entire economy can be devastated.

6. Of course, relying on agricultural
exports started in the colonial
period. Mercantilists believed
that colonies had to benefit
the mother country.

7. In addition, a few wealthy landowners owned most of the land.

8. Yes, a few wealthy, landowning
families and many poor landless
campesinos or peasants created
a great gap between the rich and
poor.

9. And with powerful militaries,
democracies were regularly
threatened.

10. In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez,
a former military man, became
President in 1998.

11. Chavez removed term limits
for politicians and restricted
many freedoms.

12. Chavez turned Venezuela into
a socialist state, nationalizing
the oil industries.

13. But with the state controlling
oil revenue, Chavez was able
to provide free education and
healthcare to all Venezuelans.

14. Yes, Latin Americans have
experienced many challenges
since independence.

15. But in 1948, the Organization
of American States (OAS) was
founded to promote regional
cooperation.

16. The OAS includes countries of South America, Central America,
the U.S.A., Canada, and the
islands of the Caribbean.

17. The OAS tries to resolve disputes among member
nations peacefully and tries
to address issues
facing the
region.

18. Of course, the OAS was inspired by Simon Bolivar’s, the great
independence leader’s, vision of
a Gran Colombia, a united region.