1. Modern World History Unit 5, Assign. #3 Latin American Democracies

2. Common Practices in a Working Democracy (#1)

3. Difficulties in Making Democracy Work in Latin America (#2) Democracy takes years to install Latin Americans had little experience with democracy before gaining independence Democracy relies on economic growth and Latin America has struggled economically in the 20 th century

4. Political Instability in Latin America in early mid 1800s When Napoleon of France took over Spain and Portugal those nations could not govern their colonies in the New World Revolutions took place in Latin America that gave nations there their independence from Spain and Portugal Creole elites in these new nations took power – liked the “concept” of self-government and established republics with written constitutions Colonists from Spain and Portugal and didn’t have a lot of history with self- government/constitutions – This was unlike the American colonists ruled by the British who experienced democracy under the rule of Parliament – Latin American countries often jumped from constitution to constitution during this time – “Caudillos” – regional military leaders would take over

5. Political Cycle in Latin America Liberal revolution/liberal constitution (tried to increase democracy, reduce power of wealthy landlords, and redistribute land to the poor) Conservative caudillo takes over and protects economic interests of the wealthy and protects foreign investments and gets foreign aid Liberal reform movement with support of the masses of poor people overthrew the caudillo, and put in place a government that made reforms Return to conservative authoritarian rule Return to Liberal reform movement And so on, and so on, and so on Case Study: Mexico

6. Latin American Industrialization Some Latin American nations made notable attempts to industrialize Conservative dictatorial general Porfirio Díaz of Mexico represented the interests of local landowners, wealthy merchants and foreign investors – Built railroad and telegraph lines (which encouraged a small steel industry) – Supported the mining industries (copper & silver) – Modernized Mexico City (paved streets, street lights, street cars) – Profits not reinvested by the rich into new industries (or workers pay) so standard of living actually declined during this time He was overthrown in a liberal reform movement

7. Latin American Exports Latin American economies grew due to profitable exports – Copper and silver from Mexico – Bananas from Central America (banana republics) – Rubber and coffee from Brazil – Beef and wheat from Argentina – Copper from Chile – Tobacco and sugar from Cuba Competition from other developing areas around the world lowered prices for these commodities, preventing greater profits for the local people (and increase in standard of living) Foreign investment provided the capital for development of these export industries, however, they took the profits Future liberal revolutions would stress nationalization of these industries as a main platform item

8. Latin America in the 20 th Century (#3) Latin American nations struggled due to: – Continuing political and economic power of the landowning elite – Powerful militaries supported dictators – During the Cold War the U.S. would support the conservative movements in Latin American nations and the Soviet Union would support the liberal movements and both would get involved in civil wars (relations with the U.S. soured during this time) – Influence of foreign companies in their economies – Economies tied to one crop or resource (led to financial crisis when prices fell) – Large gaps between masses of poor people and the small group of rich

9. Brazil Problems After Independence (#4) A dictatorship in the 1930s took over and suppressed political opposition Encouraging foreign investment to pay for development projects led to huge foreign debts High inflation Reform attempts by livers to break up the large estates and distribute land led to a military takeover by rich conservatives to protect their land holdings 1980s recess and inflation led to more democracy and economic reforms

10. Mexico in the late 20 th /Early 21 st Centuries Mexico’s Constitution of 1917 guaranteed many aspects of land reform that was huge for the millions of landless, Mexican peasants (remember that land reform was and continues to be the big issue in Mexico and other Latin American countries) Pres. Lázaro Cardenas (1930s) actually made good on promises – redistributing land to peasants, taking away influence of foreign investors, etc. But, Mexico didn’t continue reforms into 20 th century with political power being held by the PRI Foreign investors continue to keep loads of power, land distribution continues to be an issue PRI lost power in 2000 with election of reform-minded Vicente Fox The current President is Enrique Peña Nieto, who took office on December 1, 2012 Pres. Nieto

11. Economic Problems for Mexico in 20 th Century (#5) Land for poor farmers a problem despite attempts to redistribute land from the wealthy to the poor Oil industry nationalized so Mexico, not foreign companies, can profit from it Huge class of poor farmers and workers without land and enough jobs Huge foreign debt so nation loses large amounts of money each year in paying interest on this debt NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) – a 1994 treaty that opened trade with Mexico, Canada, and U.S. that led to some industrial jobs moving to Mexico

12. Latin Americans in Poverty (#6) (Chart on page 604) Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia have a majority of their populations living in poverty as of 2001

13. Argentina Under Perón (#7) Argentina – big economy based on the cattle industry and agriculture, industry, many European migrants Regionally, so far south that it has escaped the influence of U.S. economic intervention – remained uniquely independent Juan Perón became nationalist military leader and hero after WWII – created a welfare state that offered social programs with broad support for the poor – VERY POPULAR with masses Peron’s wife Evita was even more popular; she pushed her husband’s policies while meeting the needs of the poor masses – making her very loved and admired

14. Problems in Argentina Since Perón (#8) More military dictators took power after Perón Political opponents were kidnapped, tortured, and/or murdered A disastrous war with Great Britain over the Falkland Islands was lost However, it did lead to the military generals stepping down and the allowing of free elections Severed economic problems have led to attempts to privatize industries and stabilize the currency

15. Push-Pull Factors for Migrations (#9 & #10) Push factors (away from homes) – lack of food, natural disasters, to gain political rights Pull factors (to new homes) – hope for a better life for them and their children (so many move from underdeveloped nations to developed, industrialized nations Poor Africans to Europe Poor Latin Americans to U.S.Latin Americans to U.S.

16. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player of Nigerian descent who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA He grew up the son of poor immigrants in Greece