Transcript Chapter 35: Struggles for Democracy 1945

Chapter 35:
Struggles for Democracy
1945-present
China and governments in Latin America, Africa
and the former Soviet bloc respond to calls for
democracy.
Do Now: read page 235 Case Study: Latin
America, answer the following:
• Describe 3 economic problems that
developing nations of Latin America face.
•In Latin America, economic problems and authoritarian
rule delay democracy
Democracy as a Goal
Difficulties in Establishing Democracy
• Common practices include
– free elections and citizen participation
– Majority rule, minority rights, and
constitutional government
• Democracy takes many years to establish
• Conditions needed to support these practices
– Education and stable economy
– Individual rights, rule by law and sense of
national identity
Case Study:
Brazil
Dictators and Democracy
• Brazil: Monarchy in 1822,
• Republic controlled by wealthy in 1889
• In 1930’s, dictator suppresses opposition
but builds economy
Kubitschek’s Ambitious Program
• Juscelino Kubitschek builds economy with
new capital city- Brasilia
• His followers backed reforms but
conservatives object to land reform
• Land reform- breaking up huge estates
into holdings for peasants
• Wealthy Brazilians support takeover by
military in 1964
Military Dictators and the Road to
Democracy
• Military rules for two decades, building
economy but cutting wages
• Standard of living- level of material
comfort- declines
• In 1980’s Brazil had a recessioneconomic slowdown
• Civilian leaders elected but cannot fix
economy
2002 Presidential Election
• New election in 2002 includes rivals with
different economic views
• Luis Inacio Lula da Silva wins election
– He was re-elected in 2006 for a second 4-year term
– former union leader, is Brazil's first working-class
president.
– Warned that social reforms would take years and that
Brazil had no alternative but to maintain tight
spending policies
– He made fighting poverty through conditional transfer
payments an important element of his policies.
Case Study: Mexico
One- Party Rule
• Constitution of 1917 outlined democracy and
promised reforms
• National Revolutionary Party created (19201934)
Beginnings of One-Party Domination
• In 1920s and 1930s, leaders build a party that
dominates Mexico
• Lazaro Cardenas rules 1934-1940; next
President abandon his reforms
The Party becomes the PRI
• In 1946, main party becomes the PRIInstitutional Revolutionary Party
• Party controls government
– Fraud, corruption and mar elections
• In 1968, students and workers protest,
soldiers fire on crowd
• Mexico depends on oil and gas income,
suffers when prices fall
Economic and Political Crisis
• Opposition parties gain support, force
reforms in 1988
• In 1994, rebels in southern Mexico state of
Chiapas stage uprising
The PRI loses control
• Other parties gain many seats in Congress
• Center-right candidate Vicente Fox wins
Presidency in 2002
New Policies and Programs
• As new president, Fox has many
ambitious goals
• Conservative Felipe Calderon elected
President in 2006
Case Study: Argentina
Peron Rules Argentina
• In 1946, Juan Peron becomes dictator of
Argentina
• He was ousted in 1955
Repression in Argentina
• Military rules in 1970s, but country
develops many problems
• Government moves harshly against
opposition, killing many people
Democracy and the Economy
• Government disgraced after losing
Falklands war in 1982
• Civilians elected to lead but cannot solve
economic problems
A Growing Crisis
• Economic problems continue with high
debt and unemployment
• Nestor Kirchner became President in 2003
• Nation renegotiated its debt with the IMF
• In 2006, Argentina successfully repaid its
debt
• 2007- first female President Cristina
Fernandez de Kirchner (wife of Nestor
Kirchner)
• Next election in Oct. 2011