3.1.2. Military dictatorships

3.1.2. Military
dictatorships

Latin america!
Economic Crisis
and Cold War in
Latin America

2

1.

●Late 1950s: Latin America experienced
an economic crisis during the Cold
War.

●Ideological conflict: Social struggles
intertwined with the global conflict
between Western democracies and
Communism.

●Rise of leftist guerrilla groups: Inspired
by

the

Cuban

Revolution,

these

groups emerged across the region.

●Literary

boom

impact:

Latin

American
intellectuals
gained
international
influence.

●U.S.

response:

The

Kennedy

administration
introduced the
Alliance

for

Progress

to

expand

U.S.

influence

and

promote
economic
development in
Latin America.

3

‘’

Strained Relations
with the U.S. and
Economic Crises
in Latin America

4

Strained Relations with the U.S. and
Economic Crises in Latin America

▣U.S. foreign policy shift: U.S. intervention in Asia, particularly
during the Vietnam War, strained relations with Latin America.

▣Ineffectiveness of the Alliance for Progress: The policy failed to
deliver on its promises of economic development.

▣Divisions caused by the Cuban regime: The uncompromising
stance of the Cuban revolutionaries created political divisions in
the region.

▣Violent clashes and political marginalization: Economic crises led
to confrontations between governments and radicalized groups
feeling politically marginalized.

▣Artistic response: Artists addressed social alienation and
questioned foreign models in their works due to anti-imperialist
anxieties.

5

Latin America's History of
Authoritarian
Rule

6

❏Escalating social unrest: Latin America experienced increasing
social tensions during the mid-20th century.

❏Military dictatorships: In response, military regimes took
power in countries like Brazil (1964), Chile (1973), Uruguay
(1973), and Argentina (1976).

❏Brutal suppression: These authoritarian regimes used extreme
measures, including secret detentions and executions, to
quash opposition perceived as socialist or communist.

❏Seeking refuge: Many artists fled their countries or went into
hiding to survive the oppressive environment.

❏Conceptual strategies: Despite censorship, artists developed
creative ways to express their perspectives on the horrifying
events.

Latin America's History of
Authoritarian Rule

7

▣Long history: Latin America's past witnessed various
periods of authoritarian rule and widespread repression.

▣Late 19th to late 20th century: From the 1800s to the
1900s, several leaders established oppressive regimes,
violating human rights and suppressing opposition.

▣Shaping the political landscape: These authoritarian
regimes significantly influenced the region's political
development.

Impact of the Cuban Revolution on
Cuba

Cuba under
Batista: Once a
highly developed
country, Cuba faced
economic
stagnation and
political corruption
under Fulgencio
Batista's
dictatorship.

Castro's vision:
Fidel Castro
overthrew Batista in
1959 and
transformed Cuba
into the Western
Hemisphere's first
communist state.

Advancements in
healthcare and
education: The
revolution brought
notable
improvements in
healthcare and
education.

8

Impact of the Cuban Revolution on
Cuba
▣ Economic challenges: Private

enterprises were expropriated, and
Castro established a personalized
dictatorship, leading to economic
inefficiencies.

▣ Middle and upper-class exodus: Many

citizens fled into exile, impacting
productivity but offset by Soviet
subsidies.

▣ Influence in Latin America: Cuba

became a model for leftist parties,
students, and intellectuals across the
region.

9

Esta foto de Autor
desconocido está bajo
licencia CC BY-SA

Latin America's Response
to the Cuban Revolution.

10

Latin America's Response to the
Cuban Revolution

Cuban
support:

Cuba

provided

training and

material

assistance to
the guerrilla
movements.

Surge in guerrilla

warfare and

terrorism:

Inspired by Cuba,

Latin America

witnessed

increased rural
guerrilla warfare

and urban
terrorism.

Government and

U.S. response: Latin

American

governments,

backed by the U.S.,
strengthened their

armed forces to

counter the

guerrilla activities.

11

Decline of Cuba's Influence and
Economic Hardships

12

•Counterrevolutionary efforts: While some social reforms
were implemented, counterrevolutionary forces
generally prevailed in the region.

•Impact of Soviet Union collapse: The loss of its main ally
diminished Cuba's influence in Latin America.

•Trade embargo: Cuba faced a U.S. trade embargo
hindering economic development.

•Economic dysfunction and shortages: Reduced Russian
aid led to severe shortages, exposing flaws in Castro's
economic management.

Maps

CUBA

13

Authoritarian

Regimes

(1930-1954)

14

Late 1930s:
Latin America was characterized by authoritarian
regimes and limited political freedoms.

Transitions towards democracy:
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico experienced transitions
accompanied by constitutional reforms and the establishment of
democratic institutions.

1947:
Significant shift towards democracy in the region,
with half of the nations adopting competitive
regimes.

15

Decline of Democracy (1954)

By 1954: The number of democratic or
semi-democratic

countries

sharply

declined to only five.

Factors contributing to the decline
Political

instability,

economic

challenges,

and

the

rise

of

authoritarian leaders.

Authoritarian

consolidation

of

power:Some countries experienced
military coups or strongman rule,
eroding democratic institutions and
suppressing political freedoms.

16

Challenges faced by democracy:
Political

polarization,

economic

disparities, and external influences
such as the Cold War dynamics

Resurgence of Competitive

Regimes in Latin America

(1961-1977)

17

1961

Latin America experienced a
resurgence of competitive
regimes, with approximately
60% of countries embracing
democracy.

18

Factors contributing to the
resurgence: Internal pressures
for political reforms and
external influences such as
decolonization movements
and the spread of democratic
ideals globally.

19

▣ Cold War impact: The ideological conflict between the

United States and the Soviet Union influenced Latin
American politics.

▣ U.S. support for authoritarian regimes: To contain

communism, the U.S. often backed authoritarian
regimes to maintain stability and curb leftist
movements.

20

▣ Cuban Revolution's influence: The successful overthrow

of Batista by Castro inspired leftist movements, leading
to heightened political tensions and instability.

▣ Unfavorable conditions for democracy: Increasing

authoritarianism, crackdown on dissent, and erosion of
democratic institutions.

21

Decline of Democracy and Rise of
Authoritarianism

22

▣Military coups
and
dictatorships:
Argentina,
Chile, Brazil,
Uruguay, and
others fell
under
authoritarian
rule, employing
repressive
tactics.

▣Human rights
abuses:
Censorship,
torture, and
forced
disappearances
were used to
suppress
opposition and
maintain
control.

▣By 1977:
Seventeen
authoritarian
regimes were in
power, while
only three
countries
maintained
competitive
regimes.

The Third Wave of
Democratization in
Latin America.

23

2.

The Third Wave

of

Democratization
in Latin America
(1978-1995)

The Third Wave of Democratization in
Latin America (1978-1995)

Period of
democratization:
The Third Wave
refers to the time
between 1978 and
1995 when many
countries globally
transitioned to
democratic
systems.

Transformation in
Latin America:
Almost all countries
in the region,
except Cuba,
underwent
democratic
transitions during
this period.

Components of
transitions:
Democratic reforms
involved
establishing
democratic
institutions, holding
free and fair
elections, and
recognizing political
rights and civil
liberties.

25

Factors Contributing to the

Democratic Wave in Latin America

26

‘’

Internal pressures:
Sociopolitical changes,
demands for political
participation, and awareness
of human rights fueled calls
for democratic reforms. Civil
society organizations, student
movements, labor unions, and
human rights groups
advocated for change.

27

▣ Internal pressures: Sociopolitical changes, demands for

political participation, and awareness of human rights
fueled calls for democratic reforms. Civil society
organizations, student movements, labor unions, and
human rights groups advocated for change. a favorable
international

28

▣ International influences: Global trends toward

democratization and the end of the Cold War created a
favorable international environment. Organizations like
the United Nations and the Organization of American
States (OAS) encouraged democratic

29

▣ Economic factors: Economic crises in the 1980s and 1990s

led to market-oriented economic policies. The belief in
the connection between economic and political
liberalization prompted the push for democratic reforms.

30

▣ Leadership and reconciliation: Leadership changes and

transitional processes, often involving negotiations
between former authoritarian elites and opposition
groups, facilitated democratic transitions. Truth and
reconciliation commissions addressed human rights
violations and promoted national healing.

31

Thanks!
Any questions?

32