Latin American Dictators
Jan 03, 2016
In the 1800s and 1900s…
In the newly independent Latin American nations:1. Were still ruled by the creoles
who lived VERY well
In the 1880s and 1900s…
In the newly independent Latin American nations1. Were still ruled by the creoles2. But most people were dirt poor
In the 1880s and 1900s…
In the newly independent Latin American nations1. Were still ruled by the creoles2. Most people were dirt poor3. And sometimes…
The rich and the poorlived side by side…
Reason for dictatorships
• Dictators were popular because they promised power and money for the lowest classes
• Once in power, they usually ignored most of those promises
• Eventually, they would be overthrown for a new dictator, promising reform
Reason for dictatorships
• Spanish had structured colonies with clear hierarchy
• Once the Spanish control was gone, the highest ranks expected all power and money
• The lower “ranks” wanted some power and money
• The struggle continues today
… and now… your job…
1. On your cell phone…2. google each of these guys, and…–Name the nation–Give the years of dictatorship– Tell about something they did, either
positive or negative
Manuel Antonio Noriega
Also, tell why he’s in jail
Juan Peron
Eva Peron
For each slide:
• Name the nation• Give the years of dictatorship• Tell about something they did, either positive
or negative
Augusto Pinochet
Dictator of Chile1973-1990Killed thousandsTortured tens of thousands300 criminal charges (at time of death in 2006)
human rights violationstax evasionembezzlement
corruptly amassed a wealth of $28 million
Fidel Castro
Cuba1959-2011• Human Rights
abuses• state control of
press • suppression of
internal dissent
José Daniel Ortega
Nicaragua1985-19902007-presentLand reform Literacy program
Manuel Antonio Noriega Panama1983-1989Found guilty of• drug trafficking• Racketeering• Money laundering
(in April 1992)US jail until 2007, then France, now Panama
Juan Peron
Argentina1944-1954• Programs for the
poor• Also – human
rights violations
Latin America today• Most South American countries'
governments were overthrown by the military.
• Under these repressive regimes, citizens enjoyed few if any civil liberties.
• Beginning in the mid-1980's democratic civilian governments had returned to power in a few countries.
• By the mid-1990's all were governed by elected rulers.
• Most South American countries now have universal adult suffrage and real democracy.
Central America today
• Most Central American countries' governments are struggling.
• Drug trafficking is a HUGE business. • Governments must spend millions
fighting the drug cartels, while as much as 75% of the nation is too poor to pay any taxes at all.
• Most governments have high ranking officials connected to drug cartels.
• Belize is an English speaking gem, as Costa Rica is huge on Eco-tourism.