Task 2

1. What role did the military play in shaping the economy of Brazil?
They began huge development projects in the Amazon jungle. Also, the
generals fostered foreign investments. Built a new capital city as well.
2. What were some of the positive benefits of one-party rule in Mexico?
They tried to improve life for peasants and workers. Made labor rights and
nationalized the oil industry. Finally, with that, they created a state run oil
industry.
3. What effect did the Falklands war have on the military government in
Argentina?
They suffered a defeat to Britain. The generals of Argentina stepped down
and the very first president Raul Alfonsin stepped into office after 37 years of
a dictatorship.
4. Review the chart of Population Living in Poverty
[a] In which three countries of Latin America is the percentage of people living in
poverty the
lowest? Uruguay, Chile and Argentina
[b] In which three countries is the poverty rate highest? Bolivia, Ecuador and
Colombia
5. After reading this excerpt, in your opinion, has the military dictatorships in L.A.
nations been bad or
good for the nations' growth? Explain your answer in two paragraphs
[minimum].
In my overall opinion I have to say that the military dictatorships in the L.A
nations was bad for the nations growth. I say this because in Mexico, when the one
ruled party became a PRI, it controlled the congress and won every presidential
election. They did allow opposition to run against them but corruption and fraud
changed the results in their favor. In addition, when the Mexican economy seemed
going well it suffered problems. In Brazil, when dictatorship took over, the
government froze wages and cut back on social programs. When the public
retaliated, the government censored and jailed some of the people. They even
resorted to killing sometimes along with torture.
Now there was some good from the dictatorships in the L.A nations such as
Vargas. A man who was a dictator but tried to get Brazil going towards a
democracy. Also, military dictators emphasized economic growth and they
improved foreign investments. The bad part of this is though is that In Argentina,
Juan Peron was a man who won election and then established a dictatorship.
Furthermore, a lot of countries in L.A are still in poverty such as Bolivia, Ecuador and
Colombia all having more than 50% of the population in Poverty.

While reading, define/explain each term or name below and write a sentence
regarding its significance to the topic:
a. Brasilia The capital and this capital was a dream to Kubitschek. Also
brought a lot of debt
b. Land reform: Conservatives opposed land reform. Giving it to Peasants.
c. Standard of living: because of the government. Standard of living declined
d. Recession: in early 1980s a recession hit Brazil and the generals opened up
a political system.
e. PRI: Institutional revolutionary party and it was the Main force for political
stability in Mexico.
f. NAFTA: North American free trade agreement and it removed trade barriers
between Mexico, the U.S and Canada
g. Nationalization of an industry: The Mexican oil industry grew and some
dictators grew the country
h. Welfare state: a government that tries to provide for all its citizens needs.
Juan Peron created this