Fluent Essays

: Students will create a Flipgrid about ONE of the Modern Day Issues facing Latin America today. Students will write a script using the organizer below & record a Flip grid on which issue poverty, war on drugs, or migration, is the biggest problem facing Latin America today. Students should use two (2) facts from the article to back up their opinion.   Modern Latin  America As you read, look for u the impact on political and social life resulting from  the rule of dictators; u the war on drugs in Latin America and its impact on  the United States; u the impact of poverty on the people of Latin  America; u migration patterns across the Americas; u terms: dictator, drug cartel, Pathways to Prosperity in  the Americas, migration. Dictators and Democracy Governments in Latin America have often had times of instability since  they gained independence. Many have been ruled by military leaders or  dictators (people who rule with total authority, often in a harsh way).  During the Cold War, the United States feared the influence of the Soviet  Union in the western hemisphere. This resulted in the United States  supporting leaders who were not always democratically chosen in fair  elections. Democratic systems have spread, however, in the past few  decades. The United States and Europe have provided models of stable  government that have been used to design more democratic governments  in Latin America.  Top Right: Simón Bolívar was a 19thcentury soldier who played a role in  revolutions against Spanish rule in  several South American countries.  The nation of Bolivia is named for  him. Above: Augusto Pinochet ruled  as dictator of Chile from 1973 to 1990.  Left: This mural commemorates  students who protested against  the government of Nicaragua. The  students were killed by soldiers as  they demanded improvements in their  education system. Section 3: Modern Latin America 329One example of a Latin American dictator was Augusto Pinochet of  Chile. This general ruled Chile for 17 years. Many believed Pinochet was  able to keep communists from taking over the country, but others viewed  him as a cruel leader who disrespected the rights of anyone who opposed  him. Another example is the Somoza family of Nicaragua. This dictatorial  family was in power for over 40 years. During their rule, the family grew  wealthy while most of the country was in poverty. Even when elections  were allowed, the family remained in power until the last leader was  assassinated in 1980.  Even though elections are held in most Latin American countries today,  there is widespread poverty, and liberal and socialist leaders dominate  politics. Many of the leaders oppose the United States and win support  from voters by blaming US policies for problems in their country.  The War on Drugs The war on drugs has been an ongoing battle in the United States and  many Latin American countries. Drugs such as marijuana and heroin  have been illegally brought to the United States, although markets have  grown to include routes around the world.  Mexico is working to restructure its police force and fund more opposition to drug cartels (criminal drug-trafficking organizations). Recent  budgets are spending over $15 billion for public and national security,  including programs for crime prevention and justice reforms. Over the  last few years, the police force has more than doubled in size and has  begun encouraging citizens to be involved in crime control. Individual  Mexican states are also revamping their police forces and establishing  internal affairs to control corruption. Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one  of the country’s most powerful drug traffickers, was arrested in 2014. He  escaped the next year but was rearrested in 2016. A Mexican judge ruled  that El Chapo could be extradited (sent for trial) to the United States. The  extradition was accomplished in January of 2017.  Above: Armed soldiers search vehicles  leaving Mexico hoping to catch drug  smugglers heading into the United  States. Bottom: In 2009, police in  riot gear stood guard in the violenceridden border city of Ciudad Juárez. Chapter 12: The Geography and History of Latin America 330Cuba has implemented nationwide programs to keep drugs from being  a major problem on the small island nation. A thorough prevention and  information program with active policing has kept the drug problem to  a minimum. Resources are set aside to prevent drug use from spreading,  and drug traffickers usually avoid Cuba because of its strict sentencing  laws. The tight control the government has on its people makes controlling  drug trafficking somewhat easier in Cuba than in societies where citizens  have more freedom.  Although Cuba does not have a major problem with drugs, the government has committed to work with the United States on any communication and information sharing. If any criminals from the United States try  to find exile in the island country, Cuba is willing to assist in capturing  them and returning them to US authorities.  Unlike Cuba, where education and strict policing have deterred major  drug problems, Brazil has large organizations that operate throughout the  country. A major source of drugs such as cocaine, Brazil is a contributor  to the European drug market through western African routes. Many large,  sometimes violent, cartels control the drugs from within Brazil, but also  from bordering countries—Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. These cartels  use land routes as well as water routes along the Amazon River. The  government of Brazil is aware the problem is a serious one. Officials are  committed to taking on this problem but lack the resources to slow down  the drug flow along the country’s many borders and waterways. Brazil  enjoyed the prestige of hosting the world for the Summer Olympics in  2016, but many in the host city of Rio de Janeiro live in poor, gang-infested  areas where violence is fueled by the illegal drug trade.  Above: In Rio de Janeiro, the crowded  living conditions of the poor are made  worse by the presence of drug gangs.  Section 3: Modern Latin America 331Poverty  With a turbulent history of inequality between  European and indigenous peoples, the Latin American people have suffered financially. For hundreds of  years, the indigenous and multicultural people have  struggled to keep up with the success of European  descendants and their families. Non-Europeans in  most Latin American countries have always struggled  with lower pay and inadequate housing, education,  and health care.  The foremost problem seems to be that people who  are born in a lower class tend to stay in that social  structure with no chance of change. Many areas are so  challenged they lack the basics of life: clean water, basic supplies, housing,  electricity, and basic health care. People’s self-esteem and confidence also  must be taken into consideration. If their family has always been poor  and is used to that way of life, it is sometimes difficult for them to adapt  to a life out of poverty. Jobs are mostly found in urban areas, away from the poor farming  regions, but the same poverty-level problems persist in  cities as well as rural areas. Low wages and labor-intensive  jobs mean that few people can earn incomes high enough  to provide for their families.  The organization Pathways to Prosperity in the  Americas has developed a system to help struggling  countries move out of severe poverty. Leaders of 15 western hemisphere governments hope to grow economies  throughout the region. Mexico and the United States are  leading members. Brazil observes but does not participate,  and Cuba is not involved at this time. The group’s goal is  to empower small businesses, facilitate trade and regional  competitiveness, build a modern and inclusive workforce,  and encourage green, sustainable business practices. Top Right: Special educational  programs allow students from Latin  America to attend colleges and  universities in the United States.  Above: An outdoor kitchen is part  of everyday life for some of those in  extreme poverty in Latin America.  Right: Shacks such as this provide a  small amount of protection from the  weather in El Salvador. Chapter 12: The Geography and History of Latin America 332Immigration  Immigrating to another country for a better life is not a new practice.  However, new immigration laws and changing economies have changed  old patterns of migration (movement from one locality to another). In  years past, people typically moved north to the United States from Mexico  and other Central American countries. There were more opportunities to  find a job and support a family in the United States than in their home  country. When the economy of the United States declined after 2007,  Central American migrants spread throughout Mexico, settling in mostly  rural regions and away from urban areas like Mexico City. The Mexican  government is trying to lure businesses to the regions by offering business  incentives and keeping more of its citizens—and those of surrounding  countries—employed and close to home.  The increase in violence on the routes to the United States is another  deterrent for families moving to find better jobs and educational opportunities. Drug cartels and other criminals have made it risky for the  working poor to move with their families. The recent trend is moving just  hours away from the family hometown to new areas that are building  up their resources.  In South America, regional movement has been positively affected  by free trade agreements and by the numbers of people moving into regions that promote protection rights of migrants. These laws encourage  economies to grow and provide increasing stability. As regions improve,  advances in technology as well as road systems allow easier access to  once-remote areas. With the addition of Internet technology, improved  education facilities, and new health care resources, migrants are finding it  less necessary to travel out of the country to improve their life, education,  and job situation.  Reviewing the Section 1. Why did the United States sometimes offer support  to dictators in Latin America?  2. Which two Latin American countries seem to have  the largest drug trafficking problem? 3. What measures does Cuba take to deter drug  offenders? 4. What challenges do the poor in Latin America face  on a daily basis?  5. What causes people in Latin America to migrate to  the United States?  6. What event has increased the immigration of  people to other areas in Latin America instead of  the United States? Top: The workers on this California  potato farm are from Mexico. Some  may have come to the United States  illegally in order to find a job. Above: Governments try to stop illegal  immigration with guards and fences.  They are not always successful. Section 3: Modern Latin AmericaModern Day Issues of Latin America Directions: Students will create a Flipgrid about ONE of the Modern Day Issues facing Latin America today. Students will write a script using the organizer below & record a Flip grid on which issue poverty, war on drugs, or migration, is the biggest problem facing Latin America today. Students should use two (2) facts from the article to back up their opinion. The issue that has made the biggest impact is ___________________________________________ because________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Fact #1 about my topic: (use a “direct” quote) _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Why fact #1 is important is … (explain your inference) _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Fact #2 about my topic (use a “direct” quote) _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Why fact # 2 is important is … (explain your inference) _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Restate your thesis: (why do you think that your topic is the biggest problem facing Latin America today?) _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________