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Explore the colonial legacy in Latin America, from conquistadors to post-colonial struggles, including economic inequality, human rights violations, global economy impacts, and environmental concerns. Discover how historical events shape the region's present and future.
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Colonialism and the Colonial Legacy • Very little autonomy • Court governs • Makes democracy harder later on • Conquistadors found Aztec, Inca and Mayan regions • Rich with gold and silver • Destroyed them with weapons and disease • Peninsulares claimed land • Slaves exploited • Colonies enriched mother countries- Spain and Portugal (mercantilism) • Race based caste system • Economic inequality
Latin America and the United States • Bolivar liberated many nations from Spain • Had to deal with the USA • Monroe Doctrine – warned Europeans to stay out and justified US expansion • Roosevelt’s Corollary – justified intervening in interests • Panama Canal • Fought against communism
Human Rights • Nicaraguan troops killed 150,000 people • Dictators replaced by democracy • Chile: • 9/1973 – military coup led by Pinochet and backed by CIA overthrew elected socialist president – but under Pinochet… • 2,279 persons disappeared • ~32,000 tortured • ~1,300 exiled • 2000 – Pinochet found mentally unfit for trial • Columbia • Violence • Militant peasants and guerillas funded by drugs
Latin America and the Global Economy • Debt – huge problem….should loans be dropped? • Free trade? • NAFTA – 1992 • Mexico joined USA and Canada in a free trade agreement • Allowed Mexico growers and producers to have a wider consumer base • BUT, farmers can’t compete in the market or get jobs if a factory does not exist • Has helped democracy
The Environment • Overpopulation • Amazon Rainforest – “Lungs of the Planet” • Wealthy own much of the rainforest land and want to settle in it, but the world needs it for oxygen • Growth of cities • ¾ rise in urban areas • Population increase = pollution increase • Open sewers pollutes drinking water and run off
The Future of Latin America • Seems “stuck” – not moving in any given direction • Hope for greater participation in world market • 75% of income in the world comes from developed nations and that satisfies the demand