Latin American Dictators

So… Latin Americanin the early 1900s…

In the 1800s and 1900s…

In the newly independent Latin American nations:1. Were still ruled by the creoles

who lived VERY well

In the 1880s and 1900s…

In the newly independent Latin American nations1. Were still ruled by the creoles2. But most people were dirt poor

In the 1880s and 1900s…

In the newly independent Latin American nations1. Were still ruled by the creoles2. Most people were dirt poor3. And sometimes…

The rich and the poorlived side by side…

What happened?

Some got desperate…

What happened?

Some got desperate…And chose any leader who said they would help…

Reason for dictatorships

• Dictators were popular because they promised power and money for the lowest classes

• Once in power, they usually ignored most of those promises

• Eventually, they would be overthrown for a new dictator, promising reform

Reason for dictatorships

• Spanish had structured colonies with clear hierarchy

• Once the Spanish control was gone, the highest ranks expected all power and money

• The lower “ranks” wanted some power and money

• The struggle continues today

… and now… your job…

1. On your cell phone…2. google each of these guys, and…–Name the nation–Give the years of dictatorship– Tell about something they did, either

positive or negative

Augusto Pinochet

Fidel Castro

Hugo Chavez

José Daniel Ortega

Manuel Antonio Noriega

Also, tell why he’s in jail

Juan Peron

Eva Peron

For each slide:

• Name the nation• Give the years of dictatorship• Tell about something they did, either positive

or negative

Answers…

Augusto Pinochet

Dictator of Chile1973-1990Killed thousandsTortured tens of thousands300 criminal charges (at time of death in 2006)

human rights violationstax evasionembezzlement

corruptly amassed a wealth of $28 million

Fidel Castro

Cuba1959-2011• Human Rights

abuses• state control of

press • suppression of

internal dissent

Hugo Chavez

Venezuela1999-2013• Amassed wealth• Gave family

members jobs• VERY anti-American

José Daniel Ortega

Nicaragua1985-19902007-presentLand reform Literacy program

Manuel Antonio Noriega Panama1983-1989Found guilty of• drug trafficking• Racketeering• Money laundering

(in April 1992)US jail until 2007, then France, now Panama

Juan Peron

Argentina1944-1954• Programs for the

poor• Also – human

rights violations

Latin America today• Most South American countries'

governments were overthrown by the military.

• Under these repressive regimes, citizens enjoyed few if any civil liberties.

• Beginning in the mid-1980's democratic civilian governments had returned to power in a few countries.

• By the mid-1990's all were governed by elected rulers.

• Most South American countries now have universal adult suffrage and real democracy.

Central America today

• Most Central American countries' governments are struggling.

• Drug trafficking is a HUGE business. • Governments must spend millions

fighting the drug cartels, while as much as 75% of the nation is too poor to pay any taxes at all.

• Most governments have high ranking officials connected to drug cartels.

• Belize is an English speaking gem, as Costa Rica is huge on Eco-tourism.