Justin Baker

History 141

Course 50587

Modern Latin America

The Americas – Mexico: Continent on the Move

Extensive internal

migration has left rural

villages empty, and created

swelling cities almost

overnight.

“Mexican Miracle”

occurred during 1950s-

1960s.

During this time, national

economic growth averaged

6+%/yr .

The growth rate in the

capital was double the

national average.

Until 1964, some

migrated to the U.S. under

the braceros program,

filling temporary

agriculture jobs.

The Americas – Mirrors of the Heart

When conquering Spanish

arrived, many Bolivians

were forced to give up their

lands and become

indentured servants.

Women on the haciendas

were treated as the

landowner’s property.

They were subject to rape

and sexual assault by the

landowner and his

relatives.

They were also forced to

wear full skirts traditionally

worn by Spanish peasants.

This was relieved by the

Bolivian Revolution in

1952.

The Americas - Mirrors of the Heart

Established in 1804,

Haiti was the

hemisphere’s first

independent black

nation.

About 90% of Haiti’s

population is black.

African influence can

be seen in many aspects

of its culture.

Francois “Papa Doc”

Duvalier ruled Haiti for

30 years.

Papa Doc utilized state-

sponsored terrorism in

the form of his personal

police force, the Tontons

Macoutes.

The Americas – Mirrors of the Heart

The Dominican Republic

shares its island, Hispaniola,

with Haiti.

Despite long history with

Africans and slavery, the

Dominican Republic

considers itself more

European than African.

Dominican independence

day marks its liberation from

Haiti, rather than Spain.

Racism has become a facet

within Dominican Republic

culture to set itself apart

from Haiti.

Despite the large amounts

of intermingling, many

Dominicans are racist

against its black Haitian

neighbors.

The Second World, by Parag Khanna - Part III

Mexico has tried to

place itself into first

world country-hood.

However, leans more

toward third world

country status.

China has outpaced

Mexico in textile

production and

exporting to America.

As a result, 300,000

Mexican jobs were

lost.

This translated to

huge spike in illegal

immigration to the U.S.

The Second World, by Parag Khanna - Part III

China is now building

factories in Central

America to be closer to its

market.

Venezuela’s population

lives on less than $2 a

day.

Venezuela's leader,

Chavez, appears to be

spending its oil wealth

irresponsibly.

In an attempt to obtain

a more powerful position,

Chavez aligns with China

in oil deals.

Europe is Venezuela’s

largest investor in both

energy and services.

The Second World, by Parag Khanna - Part III

Being a rebel/guerrilla is

a standard way of life in

Columbia.

Like terrorism,

capturing drug czars does

close to nothing in

alleviating the drug

problem.

The root problem for the

drug trafficking must be

addressed.

As with Mexico,

Columbian jobs have also

been replaced by China.

Law enforcement has

been strengthened

through improvement of

mountain roads and

tunnels.

The Second World, by Parag Khanna - Part III

Brazil is the United

States of South America.

It has a population of

close to 200 million.

Known as the southern

hemisphere’s melting pot.

Outside of their native

countries, has the largest

population of Japanese,

Nigerians, Lebanese, and

Italians.

Average life span in the

north is a full 17 years

less than in the south.

However, they are always

putting money and effort

toward improving areas

of lower class.

Tonton Macoute

Created in 1959 by

President Francois ‘Papa

Doc’ Duvalier of Haiti.

Named after a Haitian

Creole mythological

bogeyman.

These bogeyman

kidnapped children in a

gunnysack (macoute) and

consumed them at

breakfast.

Would make those ho

spoke out against Papa

Doc disappear in the

night.

Riddled with corruption,

the Tonton Macoute used

their power to extort,

among other things.

Zapatista Army of National Liberation

1994, declared war

(mostly nonviolent)

against the Mexican

state.

Takes its name from

Emiliano Zapata,

commander of the

Liberation Army of the

South during the

Mexican Revolution.

Seeks control of their

own land rights.

Has been supported by

the following bands:

Rage Against the Machine

Anti-Flag Immortal Technique and more…