1. Latin America CRCT Study Guide

2. Location
Latin America includes: Mexico, Central America, all of South America, and the islands of the Caribbean

3. Environmental Issues in Latin America
Mexico City and Air Pollution
Causes of Air Pollution- the city is over populated, Older Cars, Geography
Mexico City is built in a bowl shaped crater of an extinct volcano. Because of this, the pollution constantly hovers over the city, causing smog
The government is working to improve the air pollution by beginning “Hoy No Circula” or “One Day Without A Car”

4. Destruction of the Rainforest in Brazil
More than half of Brazil is covered in rainforest
The rainforest is being destroyed due to deforestation (cutting down all of the trees in an area). Trees are needed for lumber. Trees are also cut to make way for cattle ranches, farms, and city expansion.
The government of Brazil has created laws to control how much of the rainforest is being cut, but it is difficult for enforce this policy.

5. Oil- Related Pollution in Venezuela
Venezuela is the world’s 5th largest oil producer. Half of the government’s budget comes from the sale of oil to other countries
Oil spills and tanker leaks have damaged the western coast of Venezuela on the Caribbean. Oil production also causes high levels of carbon dioxide.
Oil drilling is destroying Lake Maracaibo. The eastern shore of the lake sinks 3 inches each year.
The government does very little to protect the environment

6. Location, Climate, and Natural Resources of Mexico
South of the US in between the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
Because of its close location to the US, we are Mexico’s number 1 trading partner
Climate
Varies according to location.
Most people live in central plateau- Mexico City is located here.
Because of Mexico’s climate and location, tourism is a major industry.

7. Natural Resources
Oil is one of Mexico’s most important resources. It is the 10th largest oil producing country. The sale of oil makes up for 1/3 of the governments budget
Silver is also a major resource- 15% of the world’s silver comes from Mexico
Other exports are coffee, fruit, cotton, and vegetables
¾ of Mexico’s trade with other nations comes from the US

8. Location, Climate, and Natural Resources of Venezuela
Boarded on the north by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Shares boarders with Guyana on the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia on the west.
Location gives it easy access for trade with other nations.
Near the Panama Canal

9. Climate
In the tropics, just north of the equator
Hot and tropical all year. The exception is higher elevations.
Rainy season from May to October
Most people work in service industries
Natural Resources
Oil is the most valuable resource.
Fishing is also a very important industry
Very little arable land

10. Location, Climate, and Natural Resources of Brazil
Largest country in Latin America
Bordered on the east by the Atlantic. Shares a western boarder with almost every South American nation.
Trade is important because Brazil has 7 major seaports. The US is Brazil’s most important trading partner.
Because of its favorable climate and beaches, tourism is a major industry

11. Location, Climate, Natural Resources of Cuba
Island, 90 miles south of Florida
Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic and the Caribbean
Most people live in urban areas
Climate
Tropical, but moderated by the trade winds
Rainy season from May – October
Is hot to warm all year long
Target for hurricanes

12. Blending of Ethnic Groups in Latin America
Culture of Latin America is diverse and varies according to region. Also racially diverse because of its history and the intermarrying of Spanish colonists, slaves, and natives
Mulattoes- people who have African and European ancestors
Mestizos- people who have European and Native American ancestors
Roman Catholic beliefs also blended with native beliefs. Example: Day of the Dead

13. Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Federal Government- Power is divided between the federal government and state/local governments
President is the head of government and head of state. Chosen by the people
Legislature is called Congress. Members are chosen by citizens
Men and Women age may choose to vote. People are required to vote. Those over 70 may choose to vote.
People have many rights and freedoms, but the court system doesn’t protect personal property rights.

14. Government of the United Mexican States
Federal Government.
Presidential Democracy. President serves one 6 year term
Citizens elect members of the legislature (Congress)
Many rights and freedoms
Citizens over 18 may vote
Court system is managed by the government, and sometimes under the control of the President

15. Government of the Republic of Cuba
Unitary government. A strong central government controls the local governments.
Communist dictatorship. People do not elect the president.
President is appointed by National Assembly of People’s Power. Citizens may vote for members of the National Assembly, but only for members of the communist party.
Citizens have few freedoms. One of the world’s least free countries
Controlled by Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul.

16. Brazil’s Economy
Brazil has a mixed economy, that is closer to a pure market
For the most part, citizens are allowed to being own their own property and businesses. The government does own some industries- steel for example
They have laws protecting property rights, but they have a poor court system that doesn’t do a good job.
Due to the court system, it could take months to get approval to start a business

17. Cuba’s Economy
Command Economy
Government owns all property and businesses.
Government decides how much of product to produce and the price
Very little private business is allowed

18. NAFTA
Signed in 1994 by the US, Canada, and Mexico
Took away all tariffs on goods traded between the 3 countries
NAFTA is the world’s largest free trade zone

19. Cuba- Peso (not the same as a Mexican Peso) Brazil- Real
Trade and Currency
Mexico- Peso
Cuba- Peso (not the same as a Mexican Peso)
Brazil- Real
Trade with other countries requires that currency be exchanged.

20. Latin American History
Aztec Civilization
In the area of central and southern Mexico
Capital City- Tenochtitlan
Known for artwork and architecture
Sacrifice of animals and humans was part of culture and religion
Language- Nahuatl

21. Hernan Cortes
A Spanish Conquistador (Conqueror)
Captured the Aztec Empire between
Montezuma II
Aztec Ruler from
Welcomed Cortes and his army into Tenochtitlan believing that he was a god
Taken prisoner by Cortes
Killed when a fight broke out between the Aztec and Spanish

22. Incan Civilization
Lived along the western coast of South America, along the Andes Mountains
Capital was Cuzco (modern day Peru)
Extensive road system
Built terraces on the mountainside for farming
Language- Quechua

23. Francisco Pizarro and Atahualpa
Pizarro was a Spanish Conquistador
Atahualpa- King of the Inca
Atahualpa was captured and killed by Pizarro
Spanish control the former Incan Empire for 300 years
New Spain
Name of Spain’s colonies in the New World
Capital city was at Tenochtitlan, renamed Mexico City

24. Columbian Exchange
Due to forced labor and exposure to European diseases, the indigenous (native) population of Latin America began to decline
Europeans brought slaves from Africa to work on sugar plantations and in mines
The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of goods, ideas, animals, food, and people between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (N. and S. America)

25. Spanish language is still spoken in areas ruled by Spain
Influence of Spanish and Portuguese on the Language and Religion of Latin America
As Spanish and Portuguese conquered new areas, they spread their language and religion
Spanish language is still spoken in areas ruled by Spain
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Because Brazil is such a large country, there are as many Portuguese speakers in Latin America as there are Spanish speakers
Most Latin Americans are Roman Catholic. The governments of Spain and Portugal built churches, missions, and hospitals in the New World that were ran by the Catholic Church

26. Freedom Fighters Toussaint L’Ouverture
A freed slave. Lead a slave revolt in St. Dominique (Haiti) when the French government took back its promise to free the slaves.
After France abolished slavery, he lead an army against Spanish and English forces trying to take over the island. Because of his defeat of the British and Spanish, he was made Governor General of Haiti.
When Napoleon I took control of France, he also retook control of Haiti, Toussaint was captured and died in a French prison. 2 years later St. Dominique gains freedom and names itself Haiti

27. Simon Bolivar
Born in Caracas (modern day Venezuela). His family was very wealthy.
Vowed that one day his homeland would be free from Spanish rule. From lead armies against the Spanish and ended Spanish control of South America in The countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela owe freedom to him.
Known as “The Liberator”
Became dictator and tried to create one country called Gran Colombia, but fights caused the countries to break apart.

28. Father Miguel Hidalgo
A Catholic Priest who lead a peasant army against the Spanish to free Mexico. Knowing that he was about to be arrested by the new French government in Spain, he ran to his church and rang the bells. People from all over came to hear his speech, known as “The Cry of Dolores” stating that it was time for Mexico to be free
Hidalgo was not a trained military man (unlike Bolivar and L’Ouverture). Hidalgo’s army was defeated and he was captured and executed.
Mexico would not be free for another 10 years.

29. Impact of the Cuban Revolution
Fulgencio Batista- one time President of Cuba, who made himself a dictator. Under his rule, Cubans were unhappy due to poor healthcare, education, and poverty Fidel Castro- lead a group against Batista and took over the government. Established a communist government. Took over all property belonging to Americans in Cuba. All Cuban owned businesses were controlled by the government

30. Those who supported Batista or protested against Castro were placed in prison or executed
Because of the Cuban Revolution, the US placed an embargo (US would no longer buy Cuban goods or sell US goods to Cuba). Also, US citizens were not allowed to travel to Cuba.
The Soviet Union became friends with Cuba. They bought Cuba’s sugar cane crop each year, supplied weapons and other goods to Cuba. Trained the Cuban military
There were a few benefits under Castro- hospitals and schools improved, but the people had no civil rights.

31. Cubans who were Christians were discriminated against.
Although everyone was guaranteed a wage, it was very low. Cubans remained poor and lived in the least free country in the Western Hemisphere
Cuba tried to spread communism into Latin America

32. For several days, the world was the brink of a nuclear war.
Cuban Missile Crisis
1962- Cuba gave the Soviet Union permission to build a missile launching complex. This would allow the Soviet Union to fire nuclear missiles at the US
President Kennedy demanded that the missiles be moved. Castro and the Soviet government refused.
For several days, the world was the brink of a nuclear war.
The countries negotiate- the Soviets remove the missiles, and the US agrees not to invade Cuba

33. US & Cuban Relations Today
The relationship hasn’t improved much in the past 50 years
The embargo is still in place, but Cuban Americans can send money to their family back in Cuba
The US allows 20,000 Cubans to enter the US each year to seek freedom.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Cuba has lost its most valuable trading partner

34. The Zapatistas
A group of Mexicans who support improved rights, and living conditions for Mexico’s indigenous people- especially in Chiapas, Mexico’s poorest state, that is mainly indigenous.
Began taking over several towns in protest of NAFTA. Eventually reach a truce with the Mexican government
Zapatistas still continue to protest the treatment of indigenous people in Mexico who need help with healthcare, education, and jobs