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Revolution and Intervention. Trends in Latin America. Roots of problems in Latin America come from colonialism After WWII, Turning to industrialization instead of economy was based on cash crops/raw materials
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Trends in Latin America • Roots of problems in Latin America come from colonialism • After WWII, Turning to industrialization instead of economy was based on cash crops/raw materials • Import-substitution led industrialization- economic policy of replacing certain imported goods with a country’s own manufactured goods • Still relied on foreign countries for investments, technology, loans, military aid
Economic Trends • Rural land issues • Small group of elites owned land in Latin America (many tied to US business) • Peasants had no land
Social Trends • Large gap between rich and poor • Liberation Theology- belief that the church should be active in the struggle for economic/ social equality • Couldn’t make money in rural, moved to cities= rapid urbanization • Shortages of food, housing, safe drinking water
The Cuban Revolution • Social inequality and U.S. influence led to revolt that brought communism • Cuba depended on U.S. • 1950s modern hotels/casinos owned by Americans and Cuban elite • U.S. owned plantations • Cuba one of richest countries in Latin America but VERY LITTLE to Cubans
Reasons for the Revolt • Business interest encouraged U.S. govt support corrupt dictators in Cuba • Fulgencio Batista “a rich country with too many poor people” • 1953 Fidel Castro led unsuccessful attack on Cuban army barracks (arrested) • 2 years later, Castro guerrilla war became full-scale revolution • Batista fled 1959, Castro left in control
Goals of the Revolution • Support to get rid of Batista but didn’t know what Castro would do • Marxist regime • Castro wanted to end U.S. dominance, redistribution of wealth, reforming society
Goals of the Revolution • 1961 ended illiteracy within 1 year • Created system of free, nationwide medical care • Limited the size of landholdings and nationalized all private property (reduce economic inequality) • Castro took full control of government, took away freedom of press • Cuba more towards communism
U.S. Involvement • Communism during Cold War worried U.S. • Latin American apart of sphere of influence • Organization of American States (OAS)- organization that promotes economic and military cooperation • 1961 Bay of Pigs- mission spark nationwide uprising against Castro-failed • 1962 CIA learned Soviet Union building nuclear weapons in Cuba- Kennedy ordered naval blockade Cuban Missile Crisis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3fDkx7JZW0
Results of the Revolution • Mixed results • Cubans good access to health care and education • Civil liberties were restricted under one-party system • Economic policies made many leave Cuba • Castro relied on Soviet Union, 1991 Soviet collapsed so did Cuba
Guatemala • 1952 President JacoboArbenz used land reform to take over large landholdings & distribute land to peasants • Hurt the United Fruit Company • U.S. felt Guatemala president be removed • 1954 CIA intervened replaced him with military dictator • 1970-1990s guerillas and govt raged between war, 1996 peace accord
El Salvador • Military dictatorship kept power through unfair elections • 1980 gunned down Archbishop Oscar Romero- govt critic who supported Liberation Theology • War between communist-supported guerrilla groups and army • “death squads” countryside killing civilians
Nicaragua • Ruled by the Somoza family (controlled ¼ countries land) • Sandinistas- revolutionary group took control of capital • Junta- group of leaders who rule jointly