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Political Change in Latin America

This activity will help you meet this educational goal:
You will analyze the causes and effects of revolutions in Latin America.

Directions
Read the instructions for this self-checked activity. Type in your response to each question, and check your answers. At the end of the activity, write a brief evaluation of your work.
Activity
In this activity, you will review what you have learned in this lesson and conduct further research on one Latin American country.

Part A
In this lesson, you learned about the political changes in many Latin American nations since 1945. In the following chart, summarize the causes and effects of political changes in the countries listed. Refer to the completed example and the lesson as you work on this activity.

Space used(includes formatting): 1861 / 30000
Part B
Mexico and Brazil are two major nations in Latin America. Think of the problems that these countries have faced, and research one country using the Internet resources listed. Then answer the questions that follow:

Mexico Resources

The CIA World Fact Book: Mexico
US Agency for International Development: Mexico
The World Bank: Mexico

Brazil Resources

The CIA World Fact Book: Brazil
US Agency for International Development: Brazil
The World Bank: Brazil

Questions

What problems has the country faced?
How has the nation tried to address the problems?
Propose an alternative solution to addressing the problems. Why do you think that plan might work?

Space used(includes formatting): 0 / 30000
Self-Evaluation
How did you do? Rate your work on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest score. Then write a brief evaluation of your work below. Note what you learned and what challenged you.

1 answer

Part A: Political Changes in Latin America

Causes and Effects of Political Changes

| Country | Causes of Political Changes | Effects of Political Changes | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Mexico | - Economic disparities and poverty<br> - Corruption in government<br> - Influence of foreign powers (e.g., the U.S.)<br> - Demand for democracy and social justice | - Increased political participation and activism<br> - Rise of new political parties<br> - Social reforms and improvements in some areas (education, health)<br> - Ongoing violence related to drug cartels | | Brazil | - Military dictatorship post-1964<br> - Economic crisis in the 1980s <br> - Demand for human rights and democracy<br> - Global economic changes impacting local markets | - Transition to democracy in the 1990s<br> - Economic reforms and growth in the 2000s<br> - Social programs aimed at reducing inequality<br> - Political corruption scandals damaging public trust |

Part B: Research on Mexico

Questions

  1. What problems has the country faced?

    • Mexico has faced numerous problems, including:
      • Drug-related violence and organized crime, leading to high murder rates.
      • Corruption within law enforcement and government institutions.
      • Economic inequalities and poverty, which affect a significant portion of the population.
      • Challenges related to migration and border issues, especially with the United States.

  2. How has the nation tried to address the problems?

    • The Mexican government has implemented various strategies, including:
      • Strengthening law enforcement agencies and military presence to combat drug cartels.
      • Anti-corruption initiatives aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in government.
      • Social programs aimed at reducing poverty and providing better access to education and healthcare.
      • Engaging in diplomatic efforts with the U.S. to manage and address immigration issues.

  3. Propose an alternative solution to addressing the problems. Why do you think that plan might work?

    • An alternative solution could be to focus on community-based initiatives that empower local populations. This could involve:
      • Development of local economic opportunities through microfinance and entrepreneurship programs to reduce poverty.
      • Investment in education and vocational training to provide youth with alternatives to drug trafficking.
      • Establishing community centers that promote lawfulness, educate about rights, and facilitate community dialogue.
    • This plan may work because it addresses the root causes of violence and crime, by providing individuals with viable alternatives leading to sustainable community development, thereby reducing reliance on drug cartels and promoting social cohesion.

Self-Evaluation

I would rate my work a 4 out of 5. Throughout this activity, I learned a great deal about the complexities of political change in Latin America, especially regarding the contextual factors that influence different nations. It was challenging to distill significant issues into concise summaries, particularly in capturing the multifaceted nature of the problems faced by Mexico and Brazil. However, this challenge pushed me to dig deeper into the historical context and current events, which ultimately enriched my understanding of the region's political dynamics.