Latin America
Alliance for progress- Kennedy created in 1960s. Provided funds for roads, schools, hospitals, and water treatment projects in Latin America. Some of the aid was stopped in the 1970s due to human rights violations.
Caribbean Basin Initiative- Passed in 1982. Gives aid to Caribbean and Central America, tax incentives to US investors of that area, and duty- free status to their products.
Central America- The 7 countries between Mexico and South America. Includes Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Commonwealth Status- Land is governed by laws of “mother” country. Don’t pay taxes or vote.
Drug Cartels- powerful groups that produce and sell illegal drugs. Very common in Colombia, where Pres. Pastrana is working to end it, with $1.3 billion US aid.
Drug Certification- The government decides which countries aren’t supporting illegal drugs, and certifies them. Uncertified countries are sanctioned.
Free Trade Area of the Americas- Would open trade between the US and Central and South American countries. Plans are developed to be effective by 2005.
Helms- Burton Act- March 1996. US citizens can sue foreign investors who use American property seized by the Cuban government.
NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement- Reduced trade barriers between Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Reagan Doctrine- gave economic and military aid, including $100 million to Nicaraguan rebels. Lt. Col. Oliver North sent unapproved money, got caught, and caused a controversy.
Trade Embargo- Highly debated; End trade in retaliation for (Cuba) human rights violations.
1/5/04
Reasons for the name Latin America
1. Europeans who settled there were Spanish and Portuguese
a. Treaty of Tordesillas 1494
i. Split world into two areas of settlement: New world and Africa/Asia
2. Most people speak Spanish of Portuguese, which are Latin languages
3. Laws are based on Roman Law and Napoleonic code
4. Roman Catholocism is predominant religion
a. Three G’s of explorers: Glory, Gold and God
5. Architecture tends to be of Spanish, Portuguese, or Roman design
Physical Geography
Mountain chains:
Andes Mts.- Highest chain in Western Hemisphere and longest in the world
Mt Aconcagua: Highest peak
Sierra Madre Occidental: Western Mexico
Sierra Madre Oriental: Eastern Mexico
Plains- “Llanos” in Spanish. One of the world’s larges short tree/ grassland savannahs
1/6/04 There is oil in the Llanos plains, Venezuela. Venezuela is one of the only non- Middle- Eastern members of OPEC.
Amazon Basin- Largest plains region in South America and home to world’s largest tropical rainforest.
Pampas- “landmass or space” in native language. Some of the richest soils on earth. Most densely settled area of Argentina.
Major River Systems
Amazon River- World’s second- longest river- largest by volume, containing 20% of world’s fresh water
Orinoco River- 5th largest river in volume in the world
Rio de la Plata River System- World’s 6th largest river system
Angel Falls- Highest waterfall in the world- 3,000 ft
Lakes
Lake Nicaragua- Largest lake in Central America. Home to tuna and freshwater sharks
Lake Titicaca- World’s highest navicable lake. Home of pre- Inca ruin Tiahuanico and birthplace of Incans.
Deserts
Atacama Desert- one of the driest deserts in the world, located West of Andes
Latin America- Quick facts
- 33 countries in Latin America
- Brazil is the largest country in land- size and population
- Latin America has 500 million residents
- Most of the population is mulatto (black and white) or Mestizo (Native American and European)
- Population has quadrupled since 1940
- 1/3 people are 15 or younger
- Barbados and Puerto Rico are two of the most densely populated areas in the world
- Social Issues: Widespread poverty, over- populization, human rights violations.
1/7/04 Ancient Civilizations
Mayans
- Great architects- known for their temples
- 1st calendar and hieroglyphics
- Excellent astronomers
- 2 million inhabitants
Aztecs
- Religious- worshipped hundreds of gods/goddesses
- Human Sacrifice- waged war to obtain prisoners
- 200-300,000 inhabitants
- 365 day calendar
Incas
- Largest- Population of 10 million at its height
- Oldest city in Americas: Caral
- First to use crop rotation
The Truth About Columbus
- Suppressed revolts by use of hunting dogs (20)
- Cut off hands of the natives who didn’t pay tribute (taxes)
- Results of the forced hard labor:
o Mass suicide
o Women aborted (so their children wouldn’t have to endure the treatment)
o People killed their children (same reason as above)
- In 40 years, the population of Hispaniola fell from 3 million to 300
- It only took Columbus 33 days to reach the new world, although he reported it taking 70 days
Hey, kids. Also might wanna look at the debate issues on pages 207, 249, 277 and 315 (only first and last on that one). Have fun!