Nationalism in Latin America Latin American Economy Role

Nationalism in Latin America

Latin American Economy

Role of the United States § In the early 20 th century, Latin American economies were based on exports of foodstuffs and raw materials § In the 1920 s, the United States replaced Britain as the major investor in Latin America § US investors put money directly into production facilities and ran the companies § As nations became independent, their economies still relied on wealthier nations

Role of the United States § Many Latin Americans began to resent US control of Latin American industries § This resentment increased nationalistic feelings § For ex: US oil companies had close ties to the dictator Juan Vicente Gómez § In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the Good Neighbor Policy, which rejected the use of US military force in Latin America § Withdrew last US troops from Haiti in 1934

Impact of Great Depression § Weak US and European economies meant there was less demand for Latin American exports § Total value of Latin American exports dropped 50% from 1925 to 1930 § Positive effect: as exports declined, Latin American countries no longer had the revenue to buy manufactured goods from abroad, so they developed industries within the nations to produce those goods § Government had to invest in these new industries, which lead to government-run steel industries in Chile and Brazil and oil industries in Mexico and Argentina

Authoritarian Rule

Argentina § Controlled by an oligarchy (government run by a select group of people) of wealthy landowners § Ignored the growing middle class, which reacted by forming the Radical Party in 1890, led by Hipólito Irigoyen § Irigoyen was elected president in 1916, but the party feared industrial workers who were using strikes to improve their conditions § Party grew closer to landowners and became corrupt

Argentina § 1930 Argentine army overthrew Irigoyen and reestablished the oligarchy § During WWII, some military officers formed the Group of United Officers (GUO) and overthrew the government in 1943 § Established Juan Perón as president

Brazil § 1889 army overthrew the Brazilian monarchy and established a republic § Controlled by elite landowners of large coffee plantations § Great Depression destroyed the coffee industry; by 1929, coffee prices hit an all -time low § 1930 a military coup made Getúlio Vargas president of Brazil § Ruled from 1930 -1945 § Established an 8 -hour workday and a minimum wage

Brazil § In 1937, Vargas made himself a dictator and in 1938, established a new state § Political parties were outlawed and civil rights were restricted § Vargas tried to stimulate the economy by establishing a Brazilian steel industry and set up a company to explore for oil § In 1945, the army, fearing that Vargas might prolong his rule illegally, forced him to resign

Mexico § Mexican Revolution of the early 20 th century was the first attempt to overturn the system of large landed estates and raise the standard of living for everyone § Government was democratic in form, but the main party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (IRP), controlled the major groups within Mexico § IRP chose the candidates and the public would dutifully elect them

Mexico § Lázaro Cárdenas became president in 1934 and began changes § Distributed 44 million acres of land to landless Mexican peasants § He seized control of the oil fields and the property of the foreignowned oil companies in an attempt to rid Mexico of US influence § Eventually Mexico paid the oil companies for their property and set up PEMEX, a national oil company to run the oil industry § At first, PEMEX did not do well, with exports falling § PEMEX remained a sign of Mexican independence to the people

Culture in Latin America § In major cities, such as Buenos Aires, Argentina and São Paulo, Brazil, wealthy elite expressed interest in the works of modern artists § Artists went abroad and brought back modern techniques and blended them with their roots § Roberto Matta and Carlos Merida created abstract art § Diego Rivera of Mexico used his work to promote a nationalistic spirit § Rivera wanted to create a national art that would portray Mexico’s past, festivals, and folk customs § Rivera’s work was considered controversial in the US § Rockefeller hired Rivera to paint a mural at Rockefeller Center, but destroyed it when Rivera included a picture of Lenin