20th century History of South America

1 20th century

1.1 1900–1920
1.2 1930–1960
1.3 economics
1.4 cold war
1.5 late 20th century military regimes , revolutions
1.6 washington consensus

20th century

sqm ge 289a boxcabs 603 , 607 hauling empty nitrate hoppers tocopilla barriles, chile.


1900–1920

by start of century, united states continued interventionist attitude, aimed directly defend interests in region. officially articulated in theodore roosevelt s big stick doctrine, modified old monroe doctrine, had aimed deter european intervention in hemisphere.

1930–1960

the great depression posed challenge region. collapse of world economy meant demand raw materials drastically declined, undermining many of economies of south america.

the brazilian minas geraes class kindled argentine–brazilian–chilean naval arms race

intellectuals , government leaders in south america turned backs on older economic policies , turned toward import substitution industrialization. goal create self-sufficient economies, have own industrial sectors , large middle classes , immune ups , downs of global economy. despite potential threats united states commercial interests, roosevelt administration (1933–1945) understood united states not wholly oppose import substitution. roosevelt implemented neighbour policy , allowed nationalization of american companies in south america. second world war brought united states , latin american nations together.

the history of south america during world war ii important because of significant economic, political, , military changes occurred throughout of region result of war. in order better protect panama canal, combat axis influence, , optimize production of goods war effort, united states through lend-lease , similar programs expanded interests in latin america, resulting in large-scale modernization , major economic boost countries participated.

strategically, brazil of great importance because of having closest point in americas africa allies actively engaged in fighting germans , italians. axis, southern cone nations of argentina , chile found of south american support, , utilised fullest interfering internal affairs, conducting espionage, , distributing propaganda.

brazil country send expeditionary force european theatre; however, several countries had skirmishes german u-boats , cruisers in caribbean , south atlantic. mexico sent fighter squadron of 300 volunteers pacific, escuadrón 201 known aztec eagles ( aguilas aztecas).

the brazilian active participation on battle field in europe divined after casablanca conference. president of u.s., franklin d. roosevelt on way morocco met president of brazil, getulio vargas, in natal, rio grande norte, meeting known potenji river conference, , defined creation of brazilian expeditionary force.

economics

according author thomas m. leonard, world war ii had major impact on latin american economies. following december 7, 1941 japanese attack on pearl harbor, of latin america either severed relations axis powers or declared war on them. result, many nations (including of central america, dominican republic, mexico, chile, peru, argentina, , venezuela) found dependent on united states trade. united states high demand particular products , commodities during war further distorted trade. example, united states wanted of platinum produced in colombia, of chile s copper, , of peru s cotton. parties agreed upon set prices, high premium, various nations lost ability bargain , trade in open market.

cold war

wars became less frequent in 20th century, bolivia-paraguay , peru-ecuador fighting last inter-state wars. in 20th century, 3 wealthiest south american countries engaged in vastly expensive naval arms race catalyzed introduction of new warship type, dreadnought . @ 1 point, argentine government spending fifth of entire yearly budget 2 dreadnoughts, price did not include later in-service costs, brazilian dreadnoughts sixty percent of initial purchase.

the continent became battlefield of cold war in late 20th century. democratically elected governments of argentina, brazil, chile, uruguay , paraguay overthrown or displaced military dictatorships in 1960s , 1970s. curtail opposition, governments detained tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom tortured and/or killed on inter-state collaboration. economically, began transition neoliberal economic policies. placed own actions within cold war doctrine of national security against internal subversion. throughout 1980s , 1990s, peru suffered internal conflict. south america, many other continents, became battlefield superpowers during cold war in late 20th century. in postwar period, expansion of communism became greatest political issue both united states , governments in region. start of cold war forced governments choose between united states , soviet union.

late 20th century military regimes , revolutions

presidents of unasur member states @ second brasília summit on 23 may 2008.

by 1970s, leftists had acquired significant political influence prompted right-wing, ecclesiastical authorities , large portion of each individual country s upper class support coups d état avoid perceived communist threat. further fueled cuban , united states intervention led political polarisation. south american countries in periods ruled military dictatorships supported united states of america.

also around 1970s, regimes of southern cone collaborated in operation condor killing many leftist dissidents, including urban guerrillas. however, 90 s countries had restored democracies.

colombia has had ongoing, though diminished internal conflict, started in 1964 creation of marxist guerrillas (farc-ep) , involved several illegal armed groups of leftist-leaning ideology private armies of powerful drug lords. many of these defunct, , small portion of eln remains, along stronger, though reduced farc. these leftist groups smuggle narcotics out of colombia fund operations, while using kidnapping, bombings, land mines , assassinations weapons against both elected , non-elected citizens.

presidents hugo chávez, néstor kirchner, , luiz inácio lula da silva met on january 19, 2006 in granja torto



flag of union of south american nations

revolutionary movements , right-wing military dictatorships became common after world war ii, since 1980s, wave of democratisation came through continent, , democratic rule widespread now. nonetheless, allegations of corruption still common, , several countries have developed crises have forced resignation of governments, although, in occasions, regular civilian succession has continued.

in 1960s , 1970s, governments of argentina, brazil, chile, , uruguay overthrown or displaced u.s.-aligned military dictatorships. these detained tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom tortured and/or killed (on inter-state collaboration, see operation condor). economically, began transition neoliberal economic policies. placed own actions within u.s. cold war doctrine of national security against internal subversion. throughout 1980s , 1990s, peru suffered internal conflict (see túpac amaru revolutionary movement , shining path). revolutionary movements , right-wing military dictatorships have been common, starting in 1980s wave of democratisation came through continent, , democratic rule widespread. allegations of corruption remain common, , several nations have seen crises have forced resignation of presidents, although normal civilian succession has continued. international indebtedness became recurrent problem, examples 1980s debt crisis, mid 1990s mexican peso crisis , argentina s 2001 default.

washington consensus

left-leaning leaders of bolivia, brazil , chile @ union of south american nations summit in 2008

the set of specific economic policy prescriptions considered standard reform package promoted crisis-wracked developing countries washington, dc-based institutions such international monetary fund (imf), world bank, , treasury department during 1980s , 90s.