☰ Contents · World history

The states of Latin America

Lessons 17–18 · 2 lessons · M. Lafasov, U. Jo‘rayev, E. Xoliqov, D. Qodirova. Jahon tarixi (World history), Grade 9, revised 3rd edition. “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2014
17

The states of Latin America in the late 19th and early 20th century

Textbook: pp. 59–62
GoalDescribe Latin America’s economic position, Cuba’s struggle for independence and the Mexican Revolution (1910–1917).
New words
Latin America: the Americas where Spanish and Portuguese (Latin-based languages) are spoken · Lotin Amerikasidictatorship: rule not limited by law and relying on force · diktaturalatifundia: very large estates · latifundiyaopposition: forces against the policy of the government · muxolifat
Explanation

Latin America is so named because the region was mainly settled by Spaniards and Portuguese, whose languages come from Latin; it includes South America, Mexico and the West Indies. Most states became independent in the early 19th century, but large landholdings and old relations survived in their economies and they became suppliers of raw materials. At the end of the 19th century Britain invested the most capital in the region (ports, railways, banks), followed by growing American capital. Cuba fought Spain in 1868–1878 and rose again in 1895 under José Martí and Máximo Gómez; Spain gave up Cuba in 1898 and a republic was proclaimed in 1902, but US influence remained. In Mexico P. Díaz ruled from 1876 to 1911 (with a short break), and foreign, especially US, capital flowed in. In 1910 Madero challenged the dictatorship, Díaz left in 1911, and in 1913 General Huerta staged a coup and had Madero killed. Peasant leaders E. Zapata (south) and F. Villa (north) fought under the slogan “Land and Liberty”. A new constitution was adopted in 1917.

Worked examples
Components of “Latin America”: South America + Mexico (part of North America) + the West Indies. The USA and Canada are not included.
Stages of the Mexican Revolution: 1910 – Madero’s challenge; 1911 – Díaz leaves; 1913 – Huerta’s coup; 1914 – Zapata and Villa enter Mexico City; 1917 – new constitution.
Class activity

“Map”: find Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina and Panama on a map of Latin America and write their capitals.

Practice
1
Why is Latin America so called?
2
In which years did Porfirio Díaz rule Mexico?
3
What slogan did Zapata and Villa raise and what did they demand?
4
Why did the Mexican Revolution rely on a peasant movement?