ArgentinA
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/6/4/29649805/1917602.png?237)
Being the second largest country in Latin America,
Argentina was ruled by a powerful oligarchy that's military support was crucial and vital for the continuing power of this oligarchy for many years.
During World War II, the oligarchy was overthrown and the military regime didn't know what to do with the working class, but then Juan Perón came up with a strategy. He thought he would win over the workers using his position as labor secretary.
The workers were also known as the descamisados
(the shirtless ones), and he motivated them to join labor unions while
increasing job benefits and paid days, holidays, and vacations.
Perón, elected president of Argentina in 1946, was immensely supported by the
urban middle class and the labor. He increased industrialization to please his supporters
and he sought to free Argentina from foreign investors. The banking,
shipping, and communication industries were later bought by the government.
His authoritarian regime created Fascist gangs modeled after Hitler's Brownshirts.
These gangs meant to terrify anyone who opposed the president by using violence and terror.
In fear of his rule, Perón was overthrown in 1955, and was put into exile in
Spain, but was later allowed to return. He was reelected in 1973 but died
shortly there after causing the military to gain control once again. Military was not to
deal with any type of opposition and due to this, an estimated 37,000 people
were killed.
In 1983, Raúl Alfonsín was
elected president. He sought to restore
the practices of democracy, and in 1989, Carlos Saúl Menem, a
Perónist, won the presidential election giving hope that Argentina would soon
move on the path to a democratic country.
Argentina was ruled by a powerful oligarchy that's military support was crucial and vital for the continuing power of this oligarchy for many years.
During World War II, the oligarchy was overthrown and the military regime didn't know what to do with the working class, but then Juan Perón came up with a strategy. He thought he would win over the workers using his position as labor secretary.
The workers were also known as the descamisados
(the shirtless ones), and he motivated them to join labor unions while
increasing job benefits and paid days, holidays, and vacations.
Perón, elected president of Argentina in 1946, was immensely supported by the
urban middle class and the labor. He increased industrialization to please his supporters
and he sought to free Argentina from foreign investors. The banking,
shipping, and communication industries were later bought by the government.
His authoritarian regime created Fascist gangs modeled after Hitler's Brownshirts.
These gangs meant to terrify anyone who opposed the president by using violence and terror.
In fear of his rule, Perón was overthrown in 1955, and was put into exile in
Spain, but was later allowed to return. He was reelected in 1973 but died
shortly there after causing the military to gain control once again. Military was not to
deal with any type of opposition and due to this, an estimated 37,000 people
were killed.
In 1983, Raúl Alfonsín was
elected president. He sought to restore
the practices of democracy, and in 1989, Carlos Saúl Menem, a
Perónist, won the presidential election giving hope that Argentina would soon
move on the path to a democratic country.
Brazil
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/6/4/29649805/227637.png)
World War 2.
The military set a new economic direction,
reducing government interference in the economy and stressing
free market forces.
- Brazil experienced an “economic miracle” as
its economy grew spectacularly. - Rapid development led to an inflation rate
of 100% a year. - The new democratic government faced enormous
obstacles: massive foreign debt and an inflation rate of 800% in
1987. - Dissatisfaction with this gap helped elect
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in 2002. - Lula was Brazil’s first left-wing president
in four decades.
Chile
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/6/4/29649805/2516731.png)
•In 1970, the presidne tof Chile, Salvador Allende, tried to create a socialist society by constitutional means. He increased wages of industrial workers and
nationalized the largest domestic and foreign-owned corporations.
Nationalization of copper, the major export income, angered both American owners
and companies.
•Wealthy landowners were angry when radical workers tried to
take their estates. The government did nothing to stop them.
•In March 1973, General Augusto Pinochet moved to overthrow the government. In September they
seized the palace, killing Allende and set up an dictatorship.
•Pinochet's regime caused thousands to be imprisoned, murdered, and tortured. They outlawed
all political parties and did away with Congress. Some estates and industries
were returned to their owners, but the majority remained with the government.
•The abuse of human rights led to unrest in the 1980s. In 1989, free
presidential elections led to the defeat of Pinochet, leading Chile to become a
more democratic system.
nationalized the largest domestic and foreign-owned corporations.
Nationalization of copper, the major export income, angered both American owners
and companies.
•Wealthy landowners were angry when radical workers tried to
take their estates. The government did nothing to stop them.
•In March 1973, General Augusto Pinochet moved to overthrow the government. In September they
seized the palace, killing Allende and set up an dictatorship.
•Pinochet's regime caused thousands to be imprisoned, murdered, and tortured. They outlawed
all political parties and did away with Congress. Some estates and industries
were returned to their owners, but the majority remained with the government.
•The abuse of human rights led to unrest in the 1980s. In 1989, free
presidential elections led to the defeat of Pinochet, leading Chile to become a
more democratic system.
Peru
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/6/4/29649805/1205287.png)
•Peru's production has led to ups and downs that caused government
changes. In addition, large poor and landless peasant population created unrest.
•In 1968 a military takeover by General Juan Velasco Alvarado created changes, as he wanted to help the peasants. He seized about 75% of nation's large landed estates and gave some land to the peasant cooperatives to own.
He also nationalized foreign-owned companies and held food parties at low levels to help urban workers.
•Unfortunately, economic problems continued and in 1975 General Alvarado was removed from power.
•However, five years later economic problems still maintained the same and
the military returned to civilian rule.
•New problems arose as a radical Communist guerrilla group based in the
Shining Path, killed mayors, missionaries, priests and peasants. The Shining
Path goal was to destroy all authority and create a classless society.
•In 1990, Alberto Fujimori, the son of a Japanese immigrant, became president
and promised reforms. As president, he suspended the constitution and congress,
began a campaign against the Shining Path guerrillas and became a dictator. In
2000, he was removed from power.
• In June 2001, Alejandro Toledo became the 1st freely elected president of
Native American descent.
changes. In addition, large poor and landless peasant population created unrest.
•In 1968 a military takeover by General Juan Velasco Alvarado created changes, as he wanted to help the peasants. He seized about 75% of nation's large landed estates and gave some land to the peasant cooperatives to own.
He also nationalized foreign-owned companies and held food parties at low levels to help urban workers.
•Unfortunately, economic problems continued and in 1975 General Alvarado was removed from power.
•However, five years later economic problems still maintained the same and
the military returned to civilian rule.
•New problems arose as a radical Communist guerrilla group based in the
Shining Path, killed mayors, missionaries, priests and peasants. The Shining
Path goal was to destroy all authority and create a classless society.
•In 1990, Alberto Fujimori, the son of a Japanese immigrant, became president
and promised reforms. As president, he suspended the constitution and congress,
began a campaign against the Shining Path guerrillas and became a dictator. In
2000, he was removed from power.
• In June 2001, Alejandro Toledo became the 1st freely elected president of
Native American descent.
Colombia
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/6/4/29649805/1665155.png?176)
- Colombia, a democratic political system, was
dominated by a conservation elite led by the owners of coffee plantations.
- In the mid-1960's Marxist guerrilla groups
organized Colombian peasants, after World War II and the government responded by
killing more than 200,000 peasants. - The drug trade and lords increased, as
peasants in poverty made money with coca leaves to make cocaine. The market
became dominated by cartels, which are groups of drug businesses.
Colombia became a major supplier of
international drug market. - However, violence increased a rebel
- guerrillas made deals with drug cartels opposing the government. The government
wanted to get rid of cocaine fields by using an aerial eradication
program. - Luckily, the U.S. funded the anti-drug
program to help them become more successful by sending troops in 2003 to support it. However, Colombia's economy was still weak due to high unemployment because of the civil war. In 2002, new president, Alvaro Uribe promised to eliminate rebel groups.