Changes in Latin America
The Dictators and Oligarchy governments focused on economic growth by maintaining law and order through foreign investment, free trade and land confiscation. (text 143) The economies of Latin America relied mostly on agricultural exports and mining. As free trade policies spread, the efforts to create their own industries were abandoned as they could buy manufactured goods from Europe and the United States. Loans from foreign countries started to flow into Latin America to fund the building of railroads, bridges, roads, banks and other public buildings. Throughout this economic boom, the indigenous and mestizo people of Latin America were driven out of their villages by the landowners who were in search of goods to export.
The dependency on foreign investment was at first successful as it brought riches to landowners and modernization to cities, but the nations had no real source of revenue to pay off the enormous debts. Women were also being admitted into universities and given equal oppourtunity in the labour workforce which before was forbiden. New ideas, institutions and economical structures were needed to stimulate the countries plagued by revolts, fixed elections and illeteracy. The disposed natives would then be turned into slaves to work on the plantations and in the mines. Female equality also made significant gains. During the 1930's women won the right to vote in National elections in Brazil, Uruguay and Cuba and in Municipal elections in Mexico, Peru and Argentina (text 146). More money was being pumped into schooling as better schools were constructed and the distribution of free textbooks for children helped aid the illeteracy problem. (E 304) When the Great Depression hit, the vulnerable export market struggled as foreign trade contracted. Military involvement in other countries led to dictatorships, but their self serving interests and instabililty only would lead to the same cycle of leadership change. The need for changes in Latin America became apparent around the time of the Great Depression. The military took control in Argentina and Peru during the 1930's after various revolts and overthrow attempts by military factions. In Mexico, President Lazaro Cardenas transformed the country through land redistribution, education reform and nationalization of the oil industry (SRI 9). This occurance happened all over Latin America as Idigenism became important to the various states. A new focus on mass politics and nationalism had begun and new institutions were being implimented.
Common topics in this essay:
Latin America,
Peru Argentina,
America Idigenism,
Lazaro Cardenas,
Argentina Peru,
Dictators Oligarchy,
United Loans,
latin america,
Cuba Municipal,
foreign investment,
free trade,
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Acceptance Essays
