2. Britain and Latin America/ Films Britain had a heavy economic and political interest in Latin America. Exchanged trading privileges with Brazil for support of the Portuguese during the Napoleonic Wars. Loans and mining stocks turned sour as newly developed Latin governments faltered. Anarchy or dictatorships arose out of the financial upheaval. After close to 20yrs, trade began anew, creating revenue once again for Latin America. Following WWI, USA began slowly edging out Britain in trade and political relations. Britain became indebted to the US and many Latin American Countries as a result.
3. Britain and Latin America/Films Latin America still remained largely under European influence. Newly independent governments were fragile, economically and politically. Civil conflict was common, causing power shifts out of the capitals towards rural areas. Governments went from military regimes to civilian presidents. Majority of time, rural development stayed same, poor became poorer or no improvement. Rebellion of these lower classes led to change Once again though, Latin America faltered in their foreign trade relations, causing an economic downturn.
4. Latin America’s Wars of the 19th Century’ Race, independence, separation vs. union, boundary disputes, territorial conquests, caudilloism, resource , interclass struggles, capitalism, intervention and religion are all reasons Latin America fought wars. Race Wars in the Haitian struggle to overcome the mulatto racial barrier. Independence over political, economic and social repression. Separation vs. union, outlaying low populated colonies join as one nation or remain separate.
5. Latin America’s Wars of the 19th Century Boundary dispute with the US and Britain. Caudilloismdesire to rule to satisfy their own ambitions. Resource wars over natural resources. Interclass, conservative vs. liberal government structure. Interventions, Britain and US come into play when their own interests are at risk. Religion, Colombia primarily from religious oppression.
6. Miguel De Cervantes Author of the acclaimed novel “Don Quijote de la Mancha”, published in 1580. Estimated to be born September 29th, 1547. 4th of 7 children, father was barber-surgeon, family was extremely nomadic. Lacked formal or not recorded coursework, studied in Madrid under Cardinal GuilioAcquauita, then traveled to Rome to pursue funds for his writing. Cervantes joined the Spanish infantry, and on his return voyage home, was captured into slavery. Spent 5 years in slavery, using the time as inspiration for his works. Married, but did not have children in that marriage. Fathered a child by his mistress. Became embroiled in financial and personal hardships, left his wife, faced charges of murder. Literary recognition came after his death in 1616.
7. Evita Eva Peron, second wife of Argentinian President Juan Peron. Born May 7, 1919., out of wedlock, her father abandoned his children when Eva was a year old. At the age of she 15 traveled to Buenos Aires to pursue radio, stage and film career. Met Colonel Juan Peron in 1944, they were married in 1945 and Juan Peron was elected President of Argentine in 1946. Eva campaigned for the working class citizens. Championed women’s suffrage in Argentina. Established the Eva Peron Foundation and women’s first political party, The Female Peronist Party. Evita died of cancer at the age of 33, withdrawing from a the nomination for Vice President of Argentina as a result of her cancer.
8. “The Second World”Chapter 15: Mexico Since NAFTA’s 1994 implement, it became obvious that Mexico would never be an independent Latin America. Due to NAFTA, foreign investment has increased, allowing the country to branch out from what was once a single commodity. Due to China worker training, they have taken over being the leader in exports to the US away from Mexico. Due to this, illegal immigration to USA has risen. Drugs trafficked into the US are mainly produced in Colombia, but filter through the US/Mexico borders. Immigrants are a “double-edged” sword, taking over the unsavory jobs from Americans, but overwhelming our health and education systems.
9. “The Second World”Chapter 15: Mexico Because top half of Mexico is poverty stricken, and lower Mexico is affluent, illegal immigration will continue into US. NAFTA intentions of bringing Mexico out of poverty and third world status did not succeed as it did with Turkey. But, Turkey has a helping hand in Britain. US needs to seriously invest into Mexico if this goal is to be achieved. Mexico also needs to use its geographical location to capitalize on globalization, it is situated perfectly for this purpose. The threat of Central America becoming a serious security risk is very real due to the formation of gangs, gangs that are roaming and controlling US city streets. Due to foreign investments, China has moved many of their factories to Central America.
10. “The Second World”Chapter 16: Venezuela Oil creates the possibility for a unified rich country in Venezuela, but they have yet to properly harness its potential. Once considered a land of opportunity after WWII, with the capital city of Carcas being a desirable place to reside and visit, it has fallen to sad state of violence and poverty. Due to political instability, South America has not been able to realize its dreams of unity and prosperity, but continues to decline. Hugo Chavez, the current President, has done nothing to curb the poverty rise, he is able to fool the public as to the actual state of the economy, keeping them from realizing their potential as a country. Chavez uses all government funded projects to line the pockets of his government and its officials, as opposed to redistributing the wealth towards the masses. Regardless of the country’s untapped potential to increase income from oil profits, the country remains heavily in debt, and its economy badly managed.
11. “The Second World”Chapter 16: Venezuela Continuously re-elected by the public, Chavez creates a government structure that suits his best interest, appointing his officials as opposed to them being elected. Local militias patrol the city streets of Carcas, armed with machine guns, keeping people in check, in fear. Some of the highest rates of kidnappings, gun deaths, traffic and congestion exist in Venezuela. Chaves preaches Anti-American propaganda, where there was once friendship and shared goals between the countries, there is now only distrust and fear. Continuous provocation in terms of the threat of nuclear and weapon production. Chavez travels the continent, paying off leaders, his strongest ally to date in that of China. Grounds for a revolutions exist, but the people continue to support their leader.
