2. Latin America’s Wars Reasons for war: Race: The Haitian Independence War was fought because of racial disputes between White plantation owners and Blacks. Unfair Government: Economic systems favored the Peninsularesand crushed hopes of expanding colonies. Civil War: (1816-1861) Argentina couldn’t decide whether to separate from Spanish rule and this sparked a centralists vs. federalists war.
3. Latin America’s Wars Reasons for war Caudilloism: Caudillos were people who had a desire to rule because of their personal goals. Resources: Chile fought against Peru and Bolivia over nitrates in the War of the Pacific. (1879-1883) Politics: Disagreement between conservatives and liberals led to wars like the Brazilian Civil War. (1893-1894)
4. Filibustering Against Central America Reason for filibustering: Nicaraguan President Francisco Castellon paid 300 “colonists” to come to Nicaragua. Who Filibustered: American William Walker and 300 other men, some from California. Who Fought: Walker’s army against the battling conservatives and liberals. End Result: On October 23, 1855 Walker and Corral agreed to make Patricio Rivas the President. Walker later executed Corral for plotting to take out Americans.
5. Mexico’s La Reforma (1857-1860) Primary Cause: The LeyLerdo put a restriction on the amount of land owned by the Catholic Church. Ripe for revolution: Mexico was in disarray since it had to give up 1/3 of its land to the U.S. and many rebellions were taking place. America gets involved: The U.S. recognized the government of Juarez to increase its ability to borrow money from Mexico. End Result: total failure, over 200,000 men died and ultimately nothing was accomplished.
6. The Second World Mexico: The U.S. controls Mexico’s direction due to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico’s current problems are wide income gaps, drug trafficking, people trafficking, and poor adjustment to international competition. 80% of Mexico’s exports are manufactured goods. Groups like the “polleros” sneak immigrants into the U.S.
7. The Second World Venezuela: Oil keeps Venezuela from becoming a third world country. Hugo Chavez is the leader of Venezuela and has a very corrupt regime. The annual oil revenue for Venezuela is $20 billion. Venezuela is developing an oil pipeline that would go from Venezuela to Argentina which would make it the World’s largest oil pipeline.
8. The Second World Colombia: 60% of the population lives in poverty. Colombia is known as the drug capital of the world. America has naval assistance near Colombia to help fight drug trade. Colombia’s main exports are oil, coffee, banana’s, and flowers. The President of Colombia is Alvaro Uribe.
9. The Second World Brazil: Brazil borders every South American country except for Chile and Ecuador. The world’s largest exporter of beef, sugar, coffee, pork, and soy. Agriculture only makes up 10% of Brazil’s economy. Brazil has strong trade ties with China and Arab countries. Currently turning sugar cane into ethanol.
10. Latin American Sports Stars Fernando Valenzuela: Youngest of 12 children, grew up in Navojoa, Mexico. 1981 NL rookie of the year, cy young award winner, and world series champion. Played the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Became a media icon drawing large amounts of Latinos whenever he pitched, called Fernandomania. Currently a Spanish radio broadcaster for the Dodgers.
11. Latin American Sports Stars Roberto Clemente: (1934-1972) Born in Puerto Rico, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. 15 time All Star and 2 time world champion. Inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1973 in his first year of eligibility. Died in an airplane crash while attempting to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Today there is a Roberto Clemente Award given to the baseball player who helps out the community the most.
