Review Latin American Social and Political Issues

The African slave trade began in the 1500s in Latin America. In some places, it lasted until the late 1800s. Enslaved Africans provided free labor in farming and mining.

Which statement BEST explains the influence of the African slave trade on the Americas?

• Their labor did not help farming or mining succeed, but their descendants later shaped Latin American culture after freedom.

• Their labor helped farming and mining grow, but they also shaped Latin American culture through their families and communities.

• Their labor did not help farming or mining succeed, but they shaped Latin American culture through their families and communities.

• Their labor helped farming and mining grow, but European settlers later replaced them with paid Indigenous workers after many enslaved people died.

The following list includes some events in Cuba's history.

• Castro seized all land.

• Human rights were violated.

• The government developed a communist economy.

How did the United States respond to these events? 

• Goods from Cuba were blocked from entering the United States. 

• Missiles were placed in Key West directed at Cuba as a precaution.

• Officials were sent to Cuba to discuss the advantages of a capitalist economy. 

• Military exercises were ordered to regain land that was taken from the United States.

Which issue is a widespread concern across many Latin American countries today?

• the rise of communism

• population living in poverty

• the need for more agricultural opportunities

• migration of citizens from one Latin American country to another Latin American country

Brazil- Citizens elect representatives from many political parties. Citizens elect a president.

Cuba-Citizens elect representatives from a single, ruling party. The single, ruling political party chooses a president.

Mexico- Citizens elect representatives from many political parties. Citizens elect a president.

Which statement BEST compares citizen participation in Cuba's government to that of Brazil and Mexico? 

• Cuba is less democratic because its citizens may only elect legislative branch representatives, while citizens in Brazil and Mexico can vote for leaders in more than one branch of government.

• Cuba is less democratic because citizens may only vote for candidates from one political party, while citizens in Brazil and Mexico can choose from several parties and candidates.

• Cuba is more democratic because its ruling party helps choose the country’s president, while citizens in Brazil and Mexico have less control over elections.

• Cuba is more democratic because citizens elect members of the ruling party, while citizens in Brazil and Mexico have fewer political options.

In Cuba, citizens have (a)   influence in choosing leaders.

In Cuba, citizens have limited influence in choosing leaders because it is a (a)   System

In Mexico, citizens have access to

(a)   voting rights and high citizen participation in democratic elections.

Which scenario describes a disadvantage of a pure market economy? 

• A man is injured from malfunctioning machinery that was never tested for safety.

• A woman needs medication for the flu but must see a doctor first to get a prescription. 

• A man cannot choose what type of industry to work in without the government's permission.

• A woman is unable to choose her line of work because she must consider the needs of his community. 

A global recession has reduced demand for many exports from Latin America. Each country must decide how to respond to stabilize its economy. Which TWO statements BEST predict how the economies of Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil would respond differently in this situation?

• Cuba’s government would make most of the decisions about what industries to support, while Mexico and Brazil would allow more decisions to be shaped by market forces.

• Mexico’s economy would adjust production through consumer demand and private business choices, while Brazil would do the same to a lesser extent, and Cuba’s government would control production more directly.

• Brazil and Mexico would rely more heavily on free-market adjustments, giving individuals and businesses greater decision-making power, while Cuba would maintain strict government control.

• Cuba and Brazil would both operate entirely on ancestral customs to determine production, while Mexico would use some  government planning to make decisions.

Three countries in South America have used different trade restrictions this year.

• Country A allows only 1,000 tons of imported sugar per year.

• Country B adds a 10% tax to imported sugar.

• Country C has stopped all sugar trade with another nation due to conflict.

  Which statement BEST compares how these trade barriers affect international trade?

• Country A’s quota limits the amount of sugar imported, Country B’s tariff raises the cost of imported sugar, and Country C’s embargo completely stops sugar trade.

• Country A’s quota allows more sugar to be traded, Country B’s tariff lowers the cost of imported sugar, and Country C’s embargo limits sugar trade slightly.

• Country A’s quota restricts imports, Country B’s tariff makes imports more expensive, and Country C’s embargo ends sugar trade between countries.

• Country A’s quota stops sugar imports completely, Country B’s tariff removes all taxes, and Country C’s embargo increases trade with other nations.