Review of Cold War and Latin American Dictatorships

Overview of U.S. Influences in Latin America

• U.S. territories in the region: Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Exploration of political coups and dictatorships in Latin America, focusing on Argentina, Chile, and Brazil.

Historical Military Dictatorships

• Key Countries Under Dictatorships:
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Uruguay
  • Paraguay
  • Bolivia
  • Peru
  • Ecuador
• Timeline: Dictatorships primarily spanned from the 1960s to the 1980s.
• Significant impact on populations, illustrated by the Chilean situation and Salvador Allende's final stand in his presidential building.

Cold War Context

• Key Concepts:
  • The role of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War in supporting military regimes.
  • Distinction between the FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional) and FMLN (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional) in Nicaragua and El Salvador, respectively.
  • Comparison of U.S. attitudes toward these groups as enemies in a Cold War context.

The Cuban Influence

• U.S. Relations with Cuba:
  • Initial friendly relations shifted after Castro’s alignment with the Soviet Union.
  • Significant events like the Bay of Pigs invasion exemplify U.S. attempts to overturn communist influence in Cuba.
  • Post-invasion, Castro allied with the Soviet Union, further escalating tensions.

Key Figures and Policies

• John F. Kennedy & Cold War Policies:
  • Comparison of policies and ideologies of figures like Dulles and Kissinger in relation to Latin American governments.
  • Dulles portrayed a less aggressive strategy while Kissinger took a firmer stance against perceived threats.
• Similitudes & Differences:
  • Both Arbenz (Guatemalan president) and Allende were democratically elected and sought to nationalize industries for public welfare.
  • Both U.S. secretaries aimed to quell guerrilla movements and Marxist influences using decisive action.

Key Sources to Analyze

• Comparison of Two Primary Sources:
  • Resignation of Arbenz and Allende's last address.
  • Consult documentation from Dulles and Kissinger.
  • Note differences in their positions and the implications for U.S.-Latin relations.

Post-Cold War Dynamics

• Eras and Major Changes:
  • Transition from Cold War tensions (1930-1980) to Neoliberalism and then Neo-populism in the 1990s.
  • Example: Hugo Chavez's influence in Venezuela and broader populism trends in Latin America.
• Understanding the Pink Tide and its political ramifications in the late 20th century.

Exam Preparation Advice

• Focus on Key Questions:
  • Be familiar with major discussion points like differences between populism waves.
  • The exam format will vary; understanding key themes is essential.
• Specific Documents to Know:
  • Focus on a few significant texts rather than attempting to memorize all materials, honing in on main arguments and conflicts.