Latin American History Flashcards

Flashcards about Latin American History

Mexican Independence

Achieved in 1821, led by Miguel Hidalgo in 1810, resulting in conservative independence under Agustin de Iturbide with the Plan de Iguala.

Plan de Iguala (1821)

Conservative independence plan in Mexico under Augustin de Iturbide.

Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

Conflict caused by Texas secession, border disputes, and U.S. expansionist desires, resulting in the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848)

Treaty where the U.S. paid Mexico $15M and gained CA, NM, AZ, UT, NV, CO, WY.

La Reforma

Liberal reforms in Mexico, including the 1857 Constitution promoting representative democracy.

Benito Juarez

A key figure in La Reforma, he helped reduce military and religious privileges and encouraged foreign investment.

Mexican Revolution (1910-1920)

Revolution caused by debt peonage, land inequality, and Diaz's autocratic rule.

Porfirio Diaz

Autocratic ruler of Mexico (1876-1911) who implemented 'bread or stick' rule, leading to land inequality and foreign ownership.

Francisco Madero

Opposed Diaz, won support, and was elected in 1911 but later overthrown.

Emiliano Zapata

Land reformer who advocated 'Tierra y Libertad' and teamed up with Villa and Carranza.

Pancho Villa

Mexican revolutionary known for chaotic tactics and attacks on the U.S.

Venustiano Carranza

Implemented the 1917 Constitution, which included land redistribution, labor unions, and limits on foreign investment.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

U.S. policy opposing European interference in the Western Hemisphere.

Spanish-American War (1898)

Conflict resulting in the U.S. gaining Cuba (limited sovereignty), Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Platt Amendment (1901)

Gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba.

Roosevelt Corollary (1905)

Expansion of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting the U.S. as the 'police' of the Western Hemisphere.

Panama Canal (1904)

Symbol of U.S. imperialism, with the canal zone under U.S. control until 1999.

Banana Republics

U.S.-backed authoritarian regimes in Central America characterized by exploitative trade and foreign control.

United Fruit Co. (1898)

Controlled banana trade in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Guatemalan Coup (1954)

CIA-led operation (PBSUCCESS) that overthrew democratically elected Jacobo Arbenz due to UFC objecting to compensation value.

Sandinistas (FSLN)

Socialist rebels in Nicaragua who took power in 1979.

Contras

U.S.-backed rebels in Nicaragua.

Iran-Contra Scandal (1981-86)

U.S. illegally funded Contras by selling arms to Iran.

Fidel Castro (1959)

Led the Communist revolution in Cuba and allied with the USSR.

Bay of Pigs

A failed invasion attempt by the U.S. into Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Nuclear standoff that ended with the USSR removing missiles from Cuba and the U.S. removing missiles from Turkey.

Salvador Allende (1970)

Socialist president of Chile who nationalized industries, leading to U.S. opposition.

Augusto Pinochet (1973 coup)

Dictatorship in Chile with U.S. support after overthrowing Allende.

Operation Condor (1975-83)

U.S.-backed campaign to suppress dissent in South America, involving Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Juan Peron

Argentine leader known for industrialization, social welfare, and authoritarianism.

Dirty Wars (1976-83)

Brutal repression in Argentina under Videla, linked to Operation Condor.

Golden Law

The law in Brazil that abolished slavery in 1888.