Latin America Struggles for Democracy

Important Leaders

(1900-Present Day)

Day 2

Juan Peron

• Elected Argentine President for three terms

• Overthrown by the military and forced into exile in 1955

• While in office: improved infrastructure, supported workers movement, and paid off foreign debt

• Wife: Eva Peron “Evita” adored by the Argentine people

• The Perons crushed any opposition to their rule

(Juan Peron & Evits 3:07)

Raul Alfonsin

• Human Rights lawyer• 1983-1989 President of

Argentina• “Dirty War” occurred

during his presidency• Economy suffered under

his leadership• Is credited with restoring

Democracy to Argentina

Carlos Menem

• Born 1930• Juan Peron was his

idol• Served as governor of

La Rioja and Buenos Aires

• Served as President of Argentina from 1989-1999

• Corrupt administration

Nestor Kirchner

• President of Argentina (2003-2007)

• Former governor of oil-rich province of Santa Cruz

• Wife was a popular and influential Senator during his terms

• Goal: was to improve the economy

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

• Born 1953• Influential Senator

before becoming President

• Wife of former President of Argentina Nestor Kirchner

• First elected female president (2007-Present)

Getulio Vargas

• Dictator of Brazil in the 1930s

• Suppressed opposition• Ruled for 18 years• Tried to improve the

economy through improved industry

• Considered the father of the Brazilian poor

Juscelino Kubitschek

• Brazilian President 1955-1964

• Developed Brazilian economy

• Built new capital-Brasilia (too expensive)

• Land reforms-broke up large estates and gave land to the peasants

(Brasilia 2:13)

Jose Sarney

• Brazilian President 1985-1990

• Lawyer• Country had huge

debt and high inflation

• Could not solve economic problems and lost support

Fernando Henrique Cardoso

• Brazilian President from 1995-2003• Former Senator• Some success with economic and

political issues that the country was facing

• Promoted free-market economics• Tried to close the gap between the

rich and the poor

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

• Current Brazilian President

• Assumed office 2003• Won reelection and

will serve until 2011• Social programs top

his agenda

(Mexico’s History 20:39)

Carlos Salinas

• Mexican President 1988-1994• Youngest President in Mexican

history• Harvard educated• Disgraced politician-economic

policies devalued the Peso (currency) by 200% and sent the country into a terrible recession

• Signed NAFTA• Forced into exile for some time

Vicente Fox

• Worked his way up in the Coca Cola Corporation

• Elected to Congress in 1988• Former Mexican President

(2000-2006)• Supports capitalism• “Down-to-earth man of the

people”

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=109239&title=vicente-fox

(PRI & Vicente Fox 1:31)

One-Party Rule in Mexico

• Mexican Constitution passed in 1917 following the Mexican Revolution. Constitution outline democracy and promised reforms

• National Revolutionary Party is created by Mexican Presidents who served from 1920-1934

• 1946-NRP changes its name to the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Would control Mexican politics for the next 71 years.

• Although Mexico had a stable government under PRI control, it was not a perfect Democracy. Party members were corrupt and ensured that only PRI members would be elected to office.

• Beginning in 1988 after decades of protests and uprisings members of other political parties did win seats in Mexico’s Congress. This began a gradual opening of the political system in Mexico.

• 2000-Center-right candidate Vicente Fox won the Presidency ending PRI rule.

• Significance-Mexico has finally begun to resemble a true Democratic nation.

Felipe Calderon

• Became Mexican President after closest election in Mexican history Opposes US’ building of a wall between the US-Mexico border

• Harvard educated lawyer• Promises to continue free-market

economic policies• Goals: improve poverty & expand

healthcare and education• Mexican President (2006-Present)

Hugo Chavez

• Born 1954• In and out of prison for failed

political coups• Outspoken Socialist leader• “President” of Venezuela

(1999-Present)• Supports universal education

and health care• Hates the US under the Bush

administration-warming up to America under Obama’s administration