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Background
Latin America was originally
used by French geographers to
differentiate between Anglo and
Romance (Latin based) languages.
The region was basically composed
of diverse cultures ranging from
Spanish, Portuguese, African and
other cultures that were introduced
through trade.
War of Triple
Alliance (18641848)
War of the
Pacific (18791884)
Cuban Revolt
Forms of Government
Republic
In a republic, the people have an impact on their
government. The most common definition is "a form
of government in which its head of state is not a
monarch." It is ruled by a president or a head of state.
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Haiti
Bolivia
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Guyana
Federal Republic
It is a federation of states with a republican form of
government.In which the federation is the central
government, however they still follow the terms of a
republic.
Brazil
Mexico
Venezuela
Guatemala
Honduras
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Democratic Republic
A democratic republic is mostly a republic, who
emphasizes the fact that they are also
democratic. So this means that their government
is ruled by the people, and, as being a republic,
they are not ruled by kings
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Constitutional Democracy
In which, the government is based on the popular
vote and the powers and limits of the government
are in a written constitution
Panama
Parliamentary Democracy
This is a type of representative government in
which the dominant legislature party determines
the Prime Minister of the country
Bahamas
Jamaica
Commonwealth
The main purpose of a commonwealth government is
to protect the welfare of the citizens and to do
what is the peoples best interest
Communist State
This form of government is when a communist party
controls the state. Most have planned economies.
Communism is a branch of socialism, which
promotes a classless and stateless (government
less) society with the idea of common ownership.
Cuba
Belize
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Caribbean Region
Bahamas
Bahamas, Turks
and Caicos Islands
Greater Antilles
Cuba, Jamaica,
Puerto Rico, Haiti,
Dominican
Republic
Lesser Antilles
South America
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Political ecology
The relationship between political
institution and the physical or natural
environment to which the region have had
to adapt
In Latin America, geographic factors have
often hindered economic development and
impeded state building like
spread of the states administrative institution
popular recognition of the states legitimate
authority
growth of sense of citizenship
Geography
Mountai
ns and
Highlan
ds
Sierra Madre
Andes
Patagonian Plateau
Guiana Highlands
Brazilian Highlands
River Systems
3 Main River
Systems
Amazon
Orinoco
Rio de la Plata
Coastal Plains
Climate
Varied Climate
Zones:
Dry Climate
Tropical
Climate
Temperate
Natural
Resources
Agriculture
Political Culture
Spanish and Portuguese languages
and Roman Catholic religion provide
elements of common Latin tradition
Culture of the Latin America is
influenced by:
Pre-colombian cultures
European colonial culture
Culture of Africa
Chinese, Indian, Filipino and Japanese
immigration
Ancient Civilizations
Maya (250 900 AD)
Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
Ruled by kings and priests
Sacrifice and bloodletting
Inca
Peru and Chile
Built system of roads through Andes Mountains to
connect their empire
European Colonization
(1500s)
In 1494, Spain and Portugal signed a treaty
that
divided control of South
America
1500s Europeans arrived and conquered
the
Aztecs and Incas
Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztecs
Francisco Pizarro Conquered the Inca
Though, some natives were able to preserve
their
cultures by moving to
REMOTE regions
European Influences:
Peninsulares
Creoles European who were born in Latin America
Mestizo
European/African Mix
Native Americans and Africans
African Influences:
After establishing colonies,
Europeans enslaved native
peoples in the Caribbean and
Brazil to work on Sugar
Plantations
After many natives died from
DISEASE and MALTREATMENT,
Europeans brought Africans
ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
Voodoo
Music Calypso, steel drum
bands and reggae
Religion
The majority of the people are Roman
Catholic
Latin America is active in developing the
quasi-socialist Roman Catholic Movement
known as Liberation Theology
Interpretation of Christian faith out of the
experience of the poor and an attempt to
read the Bible and key Christian doctrines
with the eyes of the poor
Patterns of Rule
Latin America was known for its
authoritarian political traditions
and the extreme misdistribution of
wealth
In 1980s, the political landscape
changed as one Latin American
country after another switched from
military rule to civilian government
Economic liberalization progressed
but lagged behind democratization
Patterns of rule
Military regimes
Powers of executive are apportioned
among several high ranking military
officers who form junta (ruling
oligarchy)
Military intervention in domestic
politics is a tradition
Declined at the end of 20th century
Problems and
Prospects
Problems
Political
Rampant corruption
Economic
Rising inflation
Debt crisis
Energy resource issues
Lacking infrastructures
Social
Inequality
Drug trafficking
Prospects
The region grapples with lower commodity prices
and large trade deficits
Currencies will remain weak
Drop of oil prices and exports will lead to
inflationary pressures
Middle class will increase
Improvement in the quality of education and
skills