1. Latin America Forces Shaping Modern Latin America
Latin America, the United States, and the World
Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Focus on Argentina and Brazil

2. Forces Shaping Modern Latin America
A Diverse Region
33 countries, 100’s of languages (Spanish is dominant language)
Conquest, immigration and intermarriage
Native Peoples, Spanish, Africans, (more currently Asians, Europeans)
Sources of Unrest
Social Structure
Uneven distribution of wealth (elites have controlled power for decades)
Wealthy blocked attempts at reform to keep their power
Poverty linked to social position (Upper class Europeans, Lower class native people, Africans, Mestizos
The Rich/Poor became how people seen more than ethnic group
Population and Poverty
Economies pressed to keep up with the rapid population growth
Pressure on land to feed the increasing numbers of people
Urbanization
Many moved to cities to find work, food (maybe education for their children)
Shantytowns, scavenging for food when none was found

3. Forces Shaping Modern Latin America
Politics: Reform, Repression, or Revolution
Competing Ideologies
After WW2, various groups pressed for reforms (different ideas – most to help poor)
Calls for schooling, housing, health care and land reform
Those in power tried to block reforms as a challenge to their power
Military Regimes
Military leaders held power in some Latin American countries
Often moved for reforms to keep the support of the people
Social unrest brought military leaders to power in other nations in the 1980’s
Often imposed harsh rules to restore order (censorship, no political parties, closed universities)
Some pushed capitalist reforms to raise money for reforms, most unable to fix problems
The Threat of Revolution
1960’s & 1970’s saw uprisings by guerilla and urban terrorist groups
Socialism, communism/marxism found support with the poor
Revolted against the influence of outside nations, especially the United States
Revival of Democracy
1980’s brought a return to democracy after reforms failed
Even with democratic change, leaders used power to crush opposition or nationalize economies

4. Forces Shaping Modern Latin America
Economic Development (often single crop/product – suffered in competition)
Industry
Encouraged development of industry by locals, not foreigners
Met is mixed success, needed gov’t support or foreign capital to survive
Middle class prospered but most of the poor saw no improvement in life
Expanding Agriculture
Agribusiness – large areas of land were opened to farming (irrigation, deforestation)
Export crops took precedent over crops to feed local people, food had to be imported
Economic Challenges
Global recession, cost of oil, increased interest rates caused problems
To ease rising debts, gov’ts cut social programs, raised prices and opened to foreign investments
Most brought their debts under control
Strengthened their trading position with trade treaties
NAFTA – North American Free Trade Association linked Mexico, US and Canada
Mercosur – trading as a bloc for South America (like Economic Union of Europe)

5. Forces Shaping Modern Latin America
Changing Social Patterns (urbanization brought social changes) In cities, smaller nuclear families created. Instead of raising food, it was bought in stores. To make enough money, women went to work, children left to roam the streets. Violence/crime rates rose.
Women
By 1960’s – women had right to vote in most countries in the Americas, but little political power. Few held office. A few countries did see advancement, even elected women presidents.
Status based on class/race. Upper-class women had access to education, careers, could afford help with their children. Lower-class lacked school, health care and low pay. Women of Indian or African descent faced discrimination
Religion
Catholic Church remained a powerful influence through out Central America
Catholic Church traditionally linked to the ruling class (rich), but spoke up for the poor. Many pushed for “social justice” and an end to poverty. “LIBERATION THEOLOGY”
The Church was used as a force for reform in the 1960’s

6. Latin America, The US, and the World
Communism in Cuba – US controlled Cuba from 1902 until Then backed military dictators who supported US investments in Cuba
Castro – 1959 – led small group of guerillas in revolution. Castro seen as hero for overthrowing dictator. Castro turned the new government into Communist regime
He nationalized foreign-owned sugar plantations
Castro imposed harsh authoritarian rule and used it to improve conditions for the poor (health care, education, equality for women)
Angered middle/upper class Cubans. Critics jailed or silenced
Hundreds of thousands will flee to America
Cold War Tensions – Castro turned to Soviet Union for help
US alarmed – Bay of Pigs – attempted to overthrow Castro – failed
US Embargo – to cut off/starve out Cuba
Cuban Missile Crisis – USSR tried to put nuclear missiles in Cuba (blockade)
Castro tried to encourage other Latin American countries to move towards communism, with backing from the Soviet Union
Recent Trends – Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 cost Cuba it’s major supporter and trading partner. Without aid from USSR, Cuba’s economy fell apart

7. Latin America, The US, and the World
The US and Latin America – The US was the major investor and trading partner for most Latin American countries. Profits from US companies flowed into the Latin American governments and from Latin American into the US. But, the links between the regions created very different views of the other
US – Saw itself as defender of democracy and capitalism. It believed it acted with great humanitarianism in providing aid to neighboring countries
Latin American countries – resented living under the shadow of the US and being dependent upon their help
Intervention – During Cold War, US intervened in Latin America frequently
To protect US interests
To stop the spread of communism (often backed anti-communist dictators)
Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, Panama
Many opposed to US intervention (both economic and military)
Even though they admire wealth/technology, they resent influence (political, economic, cultural) the US has on their nations
Regional Organizations – Work together for common goals
OAS – Organization of American States formed to promote democracy, economic cooperation and human rights. Members pledge not to interfere with other members
After Castro revolution in Cuba, US pledged billions in loans and investments to Latin American nations. The goals were to promote democracy, education, land reform and equality.

8. Latin America, The US, and the World
Regional and Global Issues – by the end of the Cold War, many Latin American countries had decreased their dependence on the US. Many had new trade links to European nations
Regional Ties – various trading blocks created to increase trading power
NAFTA, Mercosur, ect.
The Drug Wars – Regional cooperation used to try to control illegal drug trade
Drug Cartels illegally marketed drugs to US, reaping HUGE profits (used to bribe)
Violence grew as Cartels moved to eliminate any opposition to their business
“War on Drugs” US pressed governments to crack down on Cartels as Latin American governments pressed US to attack the demand in America
Development vs. the Environment
Developing countries believe they need to exploit the natural resources they have for economic growth, but at a cost to the environment (viewing others as hypocrits)
Amazon Rain Forest best example
Migration – to the US thru Mexico
Poverty, civil war, and repressive governments have forced people to flee homelands
All are seeking a better life for themselves and their families
Legally and illegally, Latin Americans have become the largest minority group in US
US government is discussing how to deal with illegal immigration (easier or harder)

9. Continuity and Change in Mexico
The Rural Poor
1930’s – land reform – millions of acres given to the poor
Proved to be unsuccessful – bad land, overfarmed, subdivided
As conditions worsened, peasants moved to cities for work, sold plots to agribusinesses
The PRI in Control
PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) has ruled Mexico since the 1930’s
Claims to represent all parts of Mexico
Response to social ills – education, welfare, health
Did enough to keep discontent from exploding, but not enough to solve problems
Time to time, protests got big enough to get attention of PRI (reforms passed)
Political Change
PRI will make some election reforms (protests)
Corruption, drug scandals also weaken PRI, lost majority in 1990’s
Vincente Fox ended PRI control in 2000, pledging to clean up government
End to corruption, rights of indigenous peoples, reduce poverty, spur economic growth

10. Continuity and Change in Mexico
Economic Ups and Downs
Poverty and Prosperity
Links to the US

11. War and Peace in Central America
Nicaragua
Guatemala
El Salvador

12. War and Peace in Central America

13. Struggle in Haiti
From Dictatorship to Democracy
An Uncertain Future

14. Argentina Dictatorship and Democracy in Argentina Peron in Power
Military Rule
Democracy Restored

15. Brazil
Brazil’s People and Government
Population
Political Instability

16. Brazil Brazil’s “Economic Miracle” Early Development Impressive Growth
Economic Challenges