Activity Index: Activity Index Modern Problems in Latin America The Legacy of Colonialism The Cold War Comes Calling


Vocabulary Index: Vocabulary Index Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Conference of Berlin Coup d’etat Dirty War Enlightenment (The) Globalization Land Reform Junta NAFTA Nationalization Standard of Living Treaty of Tordesillas Third World (The) Truman Doctrine (The) Ahead to activity Index


The Cold War comes calling: The Cold War comes calling Instructions: #1 Open up the corresponding worksheet by clicking here #2 Using the vocabulary index, look up the meaning of the words “CIA”, “Land Reform”, “Nationalization”, “Dirty War”, “Junta”, “Truman Doctrine”, “standard of living”, and “Coup d’etat”. #3 Select three of the nations below (by clicking on the flags of your choices) and explore America’s involvement with this nation during the Cold War by reading the slides and answering the questions on the accompanying worksheet. #4 After you’ve researched 3 nations hit the escape key (esc) to exit.


Modern Problems of Africa and Latin America: Modern Problems of Africa and Latin America Africa Poverty Environmental Corrupt Governments Ethnic Conflict Legacy of Colonialism Cold War Competition Latin America Poverty Environmental Fragile Democracy Racism Legacy of Colonialism Cold War Competition


The World: The World


Modern Problems of Latin America: Modern Problems of Latin America Latin America Poverty Environmental Fragile Democracy Racism Legacy of Colonialism Cold War Competition


Legacy of Colonialism: Legacy of Colonialism Instructions: #1 Using the vocabulary index, look up the meaning of the words “Third World”, “Enlightenment”, “Globalization”, “Treaty of Tordesillas”, “Conference of Berlin” and “NAFTA”. #2 Go through the corresponding slides until reaching the stop sign answering the questions and filling in the answers on your worksheet when prompted. Click Here to Advance


Legacy of Colonialism: Legacy of Colonialism Mainly colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese looking for gold and silver beginning in 1492. The territory was divided by the Pope at the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas. Colonization mainly began after the 1884 Conference of Berlin where the European powers divided the lands of Africa up amongst themselves with Britain, France and Germany gaining the largest shares in hopes of exploiting Africa’s large supplies of gold and diamonds. What is similar about the colonization of both Latin America and Africa? Click Here to Advance


Issues facing Africa and Latin America: Issues facing Africa and Latin America In both cases the areas were divided by Europeans with little regard to local issues. Click Here to Advance What is similar about the colonization of both Latin America and Africa?


Legacy of Colonialism: Legacy of Colonialism Despite making up only a fraction of the population, the European minority was able to control the African population The Europeans established quotas for delivery of raw materials for African workers to deliver. A social class system was established that favored Europeans and members of tribes most loyal to the colonial government. How did the Europeans maintain control over the native populations of Africa and Latin America? Under the Spanish and the Portuguese an estimated 96% of the original population died through contact with the Europeans (disease and warfare) The Europeans began importing slaves from Africa to do hard labor on the sugar plantations of Latin America A rigid social class system developed where people were rights were given and denied based upon ethnicity and national origin. Click Here to Advance


Issues facing Africa and Latin America: Issues facing Africa and Latin America Superior technology Both Africa and Latin America suffered under social structures imposed by the Europeans that resulted in ethnic conflict and racism. Click Here to Advance How did the Europeans maintain control over the native populations of Africa and Latin America?


Legacy of Colonialism: Legacy of Colonialism African nations mainly gained their independence after World War II while the European powers were recovering from years of bloodshed and expenses. Africa gained its freedom under the revolutionary leadership of men like Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lamumba educated in Europe about the ideas of the Enlightenment. What are two commonalities between the ways in which Africa and Latin America received their independence? Latin American nations mainly gained their independence after the Napoleonic Wars while the European powers were recovering from years of bloodshed and expenses. Latin America gained its freedom under the revolutionary leadership of men like Simon Bolivar, educated in Europe about the ideals of the Enlightenment. Click Here to Advance


Issues facing Africa and Latin America: Issues facing Africa and Latin America In both cases the European powers were distracted by events closer to home In both cases independence movements were led by individuals familiar with the ideals of the Enlightenment. Click Here to Advance What are two commonalities between the ways in which Africa and Latin America received their independence?


Legacy of Colonialism: Legacy of Colonialism After de-colonization local strongmen backed by the CIA or the Soviet KGB took control of the newly independent African nations and generally denied the people democracy in favor of the stability of dictatorship. The ruling class grew wealthy while the rest of the continent sank into deep poverty. The natural resources of Africa were strip mined and sold off to European and American companies providing money to the ruling classes, but not to the people of Africa. How was the post independence experience similar in Africa and Latin America? After de-colonization local strongmen took control and despite the promises of democracy, dictatorship continued to rule in Latin America as the upper classes grew wealthy and the lower classes fell deeper and deeper into poverty. The natural resources of Latin America (sugar, tropical fruit, coffee) were bought up by American companies providing money to the ruling class but not to the people of Latin America. Click Here to Advance


Issues facing Africa and Latin America: Issues facing Africa and Latin America In both Africa and Latin America strongmen were able to take control of the new nations and deny the people democracy and natural rights. Those same dictators were also selling off their nations natural resources to foreigners for personal gain. Click Here to Advance How was the post independence experience similar in Africa and Latin America?


Slide17: STOP Click here to exit


Effects of colonization on Africa and Latin America: Effects of colonization on Africa and Latin America Ethnic Conflict and Racism (local and worldwide) Corrupt governments and a mistrust of democracy. Exploitation of resources and people (leads to widespread poverty and destruction of the environment. Click Here to Advance


Modern Problems of Latin America: Modern Problems of Latin America Latin America Poverty Environmental Fragile Democracy Racism Legacy of Colonialism Cold War Competition Click Here to Advance


The Enlightenment: The Enlightenment Took place in Europe between the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. Philosophers like John Locke, J.J. Rousseau and Voltaire questioned the relationship between man and the state in search for natural rights. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Standard of Living: Standard of Living Standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods that are available in a society. The U.S. and other developed nations enjoy a high standard of living while nations in Africa, Latin America and other places in the third world suffer from a relatively low standard of living. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


The Third World: The Third World Expression used to describe the “developing world” after World War II. Third World countries are usually former colonies and in need of assistance and aid to develop their natural resources. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Globalization: Globalization Globalization refers to increasing global connectivity, integration and interdependence in economics, technology, culture, politics, and the environment. An example would be the flow of goods. People in America drive cars built in Japan using a fuel found in Saudi Arabia transported to America on a ship built in Finland. Ahead to activity Index Back to Vocabulary


Conference of Berlin: Conference of Berlin A meeting held in Berlin in the 1880’s hosted by Otto Von Bismark. At the conference the European imperialist powers divided Africa amongst themselves. Africa was divided based upon European needs and not according to tribal boundaries in Africa. Sometimes referred to as the Scramble for Africa Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Treaty of Tordesillas: Treaty of Tordesillas An agreement negotiated by the Pope in the late 1400’s that divided the world between Portugal and Spain. By this agreement Spain received most of the new world (with the exception of Brazil) and Portugal received the majority of Africa. Ahead to activity Index Back to Vocabulary


Nationalization: Nationalization Economic policy where a nation takes control of industries owned by foreign companies. (ex. Iran takes control over oil fields owned by Exxon) Nationalization favors poor nations rich in resources being exploited by foreign companies. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Central Intelligence Agency: Central Intelligence Agency Branch of the U.S. government responsible for identifying threats to the U.S. often through espionage and covert (undercover or secret) actions. During the Cold War one of the CIA’s main missions was to stop the spread of communism into the third world. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


The Truman Doctrine: The Truman Doctrine U.S. Cold War policy to offer military aid to any and all who opposed communist expansion Part of the containment strategy. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Dirty War: Dirty War The secret murder and torture of left wing opposition to the military led Argentine government between the years 1976 and 1983. The Dirty war came to an end after Argentina’s military Junta fell from power after it lost the brief Falkland Islands war with Britain in 1982 The faces of only a handful of those who vanished during Argentina’s “dirty war”. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Coup d’etat: Coup d’etat Sometimes referred to simply as a “coup” this is the sudden replacement of a nations government through unconstitutional means. Similar to a revolution, however in a coup the violence and bloodshed is often limited. Napoleon’s seizure of power in revolutionary France is an example of a coup. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Junta: Junta The Spanish word for committee it has taken on an English meaning for a group of military men who seize power in a nation. Junta usually refers to Latin American nations, however the term can be used to describe other unelected military governments. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Land Reform: Land Reform Economic policy of land redistribution where the government takes land from the rich and gives it to the poor. Popular among revolutionaries (Lenin, Castro and Robespierre) and nationalists like Arbenz and Lamumba. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


NAFTA: NAFTA “The North American Free Trade Agreement” A deal between Mexico, the United States and Canada not to use tariffs (taxes on imports) in an effort to improve the economies of all three nations. NAFTA has been controversial as people in all three nations debate its effectiveness. Back to Vocabulary Ahead to activity Index


Chile: Chile The CIA feels that Allende’s policies are too close to Communism and that if he remains in power he will lead Chile and its valuable metals away from the U.S. and into the arms of the Soviet Union. Chile is the long slender nation that stretches along South America’s southwest coast. Chile is rich in copper and other metal deposits. The copper is very important to the United States as it is being used to create telephone lines across America. Chile’s natural resources are owned by American corporations proving great profits to Americans and upper class Chileans while the majority of Chileans live in abject poverty. In 1972 Chileans overwhelmingly elect the Socialist candidate Salvatore Allende who promises to improve the lives of Chile’s people by redistributing the nations wealth from the rich to the poor and by demanding more from the American corporations for Chile’s natural resources.


Wise decision Mr. President!: Wise decision Mr. President! The Allende government will cause us nothing but trouble and he will raise the costs of phone service in America just to benefit some Chileans. The CIA can sponsor a revolution in Chile and overthrow Allende, replacing him with someone less communist and more to our liking.


The Rise of Pinochet: The Rise of Pinochet The CIA selected Chilean general Augusto Pinochet as the next leader of Chile and funded and aided in his 1973 coup de tat. In the coup Allende was killed and took control of Chile. Pinochet banned the socialist parties that were part of Allende's government and all political parties other than his own. The government violently repressed (punished) all who opposed it. It is not known exactly how many people were killed by government and forces during the 17 years that he was in power however it is estimated that 2,279 people who disappeared during the military government were killed for political reasons, and at least 30,000 tortured according while several thousands more were exiled. Chile remained a U.S. ally in the Cold War, the cost of phone service in the U.S. remained low and the Chilean people now lived in poverty and terror. Thousands of Chileans were held and in secret camps like the one seen to the left. Click here to select another nation


Guatemala: Guatemala The CIA feels that Arbenz’s policies are too close to communism and they will lead Guatemala out of the American camp and into the arms of the Soviet Union. Jacobo Arbenz won over 60% of the vote in Guatemala's first ever free election. He campaigned as a nationalist and promised to make changes to help the average Guatemalan. Arbenz main policy was of land reform where the government would pay large land owners for the unplanted portions of their land and give it to poor peasants giving them the opportunity to begin building their own farms.


Wise decision Mr. President!: Wise decision Mr. President! The Arbenz government will cause us nothing but trouble and he will raise the costs of produce and sugar in America, just to benefit some Guatemalan farmers?. The CIA can sponsor a revolution in Guatemala and overthrow Arbenz, replacing him with someone less communist and more to our liking.


Civil War in Guatemala: Arbenz was overthrown in a CIA orchestrated (organized) coup and replaced with a pro U.S. military dictator who was later overthrown in a violent revolution which has led to a thirty plus year civil war in Guatemala. Thousands have been killed, wounded or disappeared and the United Fruit Company plantations have ceased to operate because of the seemingly unending violence. Chile remained a U.S. ally in the Cold War, the cost of phone service in the U.S. remained low and the Chilean people now lived in poverty and terror. Today Guatemalan children play in mounds of trash as they struggle to find life during the bloodshed Civil War in Guatemala Click here to select another nation


Argentina: Argentina The CIA feels that Peron’s policies are too populist and will lead Argentina out of the American camp and into the arms of the Soviet Union. Despite Peron’s claims of concern for his people we could probably buy him off and install a government more to our liking. Argentina is South America’s second largest nation made up of the plains on the eastern side of the Andes mountains east of Chile and Southwest from Brazil. Argentina is one of the worlds largest producers of beef. While Argentina’s resources may not be as exciting as some its neighbors its size and population make it a valuable Cold War ally. Like most of Latin America, Argentina has been ruled by a series of military dictatorships since colonial times. Recently the poverty stricken people have turned toward the socialist military leader Juan Peron electing him President.


Wise decision Mr. President!: Wise decision Mr. President! The Peron government will cause us nothing but trouble and he will raise the costs of beef in America just, to benefit some Argentinean workers? The CIA can offer support to some politically more reliable Argentinean Generals to replace him with someone less communist and more to our liking.


Military Junta in Argentina: Military Junta in Argentina In 1954 Juan Peron was overthrown by a group of military leaders (much in the same way he originally gained power in 1943). Although there is no direct connection between the new Argentine government and the U.S., America was quite happy to see the left leaning Peron ousted from power. Argentina endured a series of military governments until 1973 when Peron was briefly returned to power in democratic elections. Peron died in office in 1974 resulting in another series of military Junta’s ruling Argentina until 1983. Argentina’s corrupt yet popular dictator Juan Peron Between 1976 and 1983, Argentina’s series of military Junta’s led something known as the “dirty war” where thousands of Argentine leftists (Communists, socialists, unionists and Peron supporters) were killed, tortured or simply disappeared. Click here to select another nation


Cuba: Cuba The slender island of Cuba, rich with sugarcane and Coffee plantations is located less the 90 miles south of Florida. For the past 50 years Cuba has been led by American supported dictators who’ve turned Cuba into a playground for visiting Americans and rich corporations who control much of Cuba’s economy while the Cubans themselves live largely in wretched poverty. Recently a rebel force led by Fidel Castro has overthrown the American backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro has promised to “nationalize” the U.S. controlled industries and to provide better conditions and medical care for the Cuban people by offering services paid for by the government. The CIA feels that Castro’s policies are too close to Communism and that if he remains in power he will lead Cuba and its valuable produce and strategic location away from the U.S. and into the arms of the Soviet Union.


Wise decision Mr. President!: Wise decision Mr. President! Castro will cause us nothing but trouble, so what if he wants to meet with you. Castro will cost American companies millions of dollars and he might even go over to the Soviets. The CIA can invade Cuba and overthrow Castro, just say the word.


Bay of PigsDisaster: Bay of Pigs Disaster On the advice of the CIA, President Kennedy launched a secret invasion of Cuba in 1961, using an army made up of men exiled by Castro. Castro’s forces easily defeated the U.S. planned invasion and as a result, Cuba pledged its loyalty to the Soviet Union. Cuban leader Fidel Castro After the failed invasion, President Kennedy broke off relations with Cuba and imposed a full trade embargo with the island nation. Today the people of Cuba have full access to education and health care however their economy is in a shambles because of the fifty plus year American embargo against Cuba’s leader Fidel Castro. Click here to select another nation


We’ll never know…: We’ll never know… The President decided to listen to his advisors from the CIA so we’ll never know what may have happened if America had followed this path. Click on the flag below to continue researching the nation where you left off.


The End: The End Hit the Escape Key (esc)