culture and politics of latin america
DESCRIPTION
Discusses the history, politics and culture of Latin AmericaTRANSCRIPT
CULTURE AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICA
LATIN AMERICA
•Geographically – What to include?
•Ethnically diverse: Mestizos, Native Americans, Spanish, African and racially mixed groups.
•Settlements of people descended from German, Japanese, Indian, Syrian and Lebanese immigrants.
PEOPLES OF LATIN AMERICABelize Mestizo
Mayan Guatemalan
Mixed Race Brazilian
Native Peruvian
Native Colombian
Afro-Brazilian
LATIN AMERICAN FACTS
•Latin American population has doubled between the 1960’s and 1996, to 488 million
•Not religiously diverse, over 90% Catholic (Why?).
•West Indies name continues as a result of Columbus incorrect geography.
•History of Resource Depletion, colonization, slavery and ultimately genocide of millions of Native Americans and African slaves over a 300 year period
•Pizarro’s destruction of the Incan empire while in search for personal gains and riches for his native Spain
FACTS CONTINUED
•By the 19th century a large part of the Native American population of Latin America was wiped out by disease and warfare.
•African slaves perished from disease and maltreatment
•Poor conditions led Latin American countries to be the first to undertake wars of national liberation against European domination.
•Haiti Revolution (1810-1816) and (1816-1825)
•Improvement of the quality of life was short lived as a result of rising US hegemony
•Improvement in the 1990’s with economic and political rejuvenation and end of cold war and US supported dictatorial regimes (i.e Pinochet).
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
The world's eighth largest economy; 6% GDP growth
Brazil
Bolivia
60% of people, many of whom are subsistence farmers, live in poverty.
87% Literacy Rate
87% Literacy Rate
26% Live below Poverty Line
Lowest GDP in South America; GDP growth of only 2.5%
NATIONALISM, COLONIALISM, AND INDEPENDENCE
NATIONALISM
A state of mind or feeling based on belonging to a nation.
Is there a difference between Patriotism and Nationalism?
Bonds of nationalismCommon TerritoryCommon LanguageCommon CultureCommon Enemies
EthnocentrismUs vs. Them/In-group vs. out-group - DehumanizationNo minimum criteriaThe root of many ethnic conflicts
SYMBOLS OF NATIONALISM
Flag National Anthem
Consequences of NationalismPopular Slogans Historical
SItes
Competition Ethnic ConflictWars of Liberation
COLONIALISM
By 1921 the British controlled more than 25% of the land and population of the earth.
Colonialism not necessarily introduced by Europeans
Europeans expanded colonialism to an unprecedented level
Motivations: Cheap Resources/Labor, Exploration, Evangelism
Does colonialism still exist?
CONSEQUENCES OF COLONIALISM
Permanent negative consequences: loss of resources, language, culture, religion, historical artifacts, dependent on Europe and North America
Positive Consequences?: Education, Health Care, Transportation, Infrastructure, Government
DEHUMANIZATION OF CULTURES AND MANIFEST DESTINY