Describe ways that economic instability led to the rise of military dictatorships in Latin America.(1 point) Responses Only dictators create economic reforms, and these turn a country toward economic stability. Only dictators create economic reforms, and these turn a country toward economic stability. The combination of capitalism and communism embraced by all Latin American dictators promised growth. The combination of capitalism and communism embraced by all Latin American dictators promised growth. Economic growth occurred because all Latin American dictators opposed a free market economy based in capitalism. Economic growth occurred because all Latin American dictators opposed a free market economy based in capitalism. Sometimes, the promise of economic growth and the benefits that come with it help bring dictatorships into power.

1 answer

Economic instability in Latin America often created a fertile ground for the rise of military dictatorships due to several intertwined factors:

  1. Social Unrest: Economic instability often led to widespread dissatisfaction among the population, including unemployment, inflation, and poverty. This unrest created a demand for strong leadership to restore order, which military leaders promised to provide.

  2. Political Uncertainty: Economic crises weakened existing political institutions, leading to perceived inefficacies of civilian governments. Military leaders capitalized on this by positioning themselves as necessary to restore stability and implement urgent reforms.

  3. Promise of Economic Reforms: Many military dictatorships promised economic reforms that they claimed would revitalize the economy. While these promises were not always realized, they appealed to public desperation for improvement.

  4. Support from External Powers: Economic instability often drew the attention of foreign powers, particularly during the Cold War. The United States, for example, sometimes supported military coups as a means to prevent the spread of communism, leading to the establishment of supportive dictatorships.

  5. Suppression of Opposition: Dictatorships often justified their rise on the need to eliminate political opposition, which they framed as detrimental to economic recovery. This allowed them to consolidate power and implement their economic agendas without democratic constraints.

  6. Resource Control: Military regimes frequently took control of key economic resources and industries, promising to manage them more effectively than previous governments. This centralized control was intended to streamline economic recovery, appealing to both nationalistic sentiments and the promise of economic growth.

In summary, the conditions of economic instability provided an opportunity for military dictatorships to emerge, as they promised to restore order, implement reforms, and address the severe challenges facing their nations.