CHAPTER 12: MEXICO AND

CENTRAL AMERICA: THE REGION TODAY

1) Ramiro’s family are migrant farmers. What are they?

2) What are some challenges poor people face when they move to the city?

3) How are some ways people make a living in the city?

4) Name two environmental problems the cities of Mexico face.

GUIDELINE QUESTIONS: 213-216

I. Urban Migration A. Migrant farmworkers: don’t own land, work on farms owned by rich landowners B. They pick crops in season and make less than a dollar a day C. People are migrating to the city because they can’t find work in the countryside (need to make a living)

SECTION 1: MEXICO

II. Life in the City A. Squatters: settle on someone else’s land without permission B. Mexico City: small neighborhoods of wealthy people are tucked away C. Poor live in all areas of the city and travel hours to get to their jobs D. Downtown has 2 and 3 story buildings E. Subway carries thousands of people each day

SECTION 1: MEXICO

F. Ways to make a living 1. factories and offices 2. restaurants and street vendors III. Urban Growth and the Environment A. Problems: pollution and heavy traffic B. pollution creates smog C. Many cities are becoming more crowded

SECTION 1: MEXICO

1) What are some of the challenges Guatemalan families face ?

2) Why did Guatemalans form political movements and strikes?

3) What struggles do Latin American nations face trying to keep democratic republics alive?

Guatemala Guideline Questions: 217-220

I. Setting the Scene A. Struggles for land, conflicts, and government changes are a part of daily life in Guatemala and Nicaragua

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

II. Struggle for Land in Guatemala A. largest population in Central America B. 23 ethnic groups of Native Americans C. land belongs to ladinos, mestizos who are descendants of Spaniards and NA’s D. Challenges for NA families: 1) poor soil 2) soil erosion 3) can’t read or write 4) no way to prove land belongs to them

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

III. The Struggle for Change A. civil war in Guatemala 1961 B. Maya survivors lost belongings and forced out of villages C. form political movements and strikes to defend their rights D. Mayans have voice in government- appointed 21 Mayan priests to advise officials about Mayan culture and government promised to rebuild land damaged by civil war.

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

IV. Nicaragua: Political and Economic Divisions

A. largest country, and least populated B. mestizos and Roman Catholics C. struggle with injustices and civil war D. struggles from political revolts and government changes

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

E. Political and economic conflicts between conservatives and liberals F. Spanish is spoken in Pacific lowlands, where most of population lives G. English is spoken on Caribbean side, sparsely populated by Creoles H. Creole: person born in Caribbean of French and African descent

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

V. Independence and Political Change A. 20th century civil war and political differences arise B. 1979 Sandinista guerillas- independent group for undeclared warfare and socialist policies C. U.S backed Contra rebels fought Sandinistas D. Compromise reached in 1990’s and fighting stopped

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

VI. Economic and Social Change A. Debt built up in government B. Leaders took money from their country C. One of poorest nations in Latin America D. Poor, unemployment, and foreign debt remain high

SECTION 2: NICARAGUA AND GUATEMALA

1) What were some early problems in the development of the Panama Canal?

2) How does the U.S. help Panama build the canal?

3) Who controlled the Panama Canal in the early 1900’s? Who controlled it after 1999?

GUIDELINE QUESTIONS: 221-224

I. Building the Panama Canal A. Transportation corridor: passageway where people travel by foot, vehicle, rail, ship, or plane B. canals could cut the cost of shipping goods C. Early problems of the canal= 1) mudslides 2) mountain range 3) tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever

SECTION 3: PANAMA

II. United States Take a Role: A. U.S. helps Panama revolt against Colombia B. November 1903 Panama declares independence, and the U.S. received the rights to build the Canal

SECTION 3: PANAMA

III. Scientific Developments Make the Canal a Reality

A. Dams needed to be built and locks needed to be designed B. 1904 Panama Canal Company hired a doctor to deal with mosquito problems C. took 8 years to build and 45,000 workers to complete this engineering feat

SECTION 3: PANAMA

IV. Control of the Canal A. U.S. treaty with Panama gave them control of the Canal Zone forever and the right to protect the canal B. Panamanians thought this gave U.S. too much power C. 1978: Carter signed treaties to give Panama more control over the canal D. 1999: Panama gains full control of the Panama Canal

SECTION 3: PANAMA

1) In groups of 3 or 4, imagine you are writing for a newspaper or radio station.

2) Write two BRIEF news stories on urban migration in Mexico and the history of the Panama Canal.

3) You will present your stories to the class on Wednesday!!!

Group Activity: News Stories: 12/15/14 and 12/16/14