Lesson 6: Latin America Since 1945 (The Postwar World)
🌎 Latin America Since 1945
👑 Political Power in Latin America
After World War II, many Latin American countries had problems with powerful leaders, unfair governments, and sometimes military rule.
Argentina
In the 1940s and 50s, Juan Perón became the leader of Argentina. Many workers loved him, especially because of his wife, Evita. Evita was kind and helped poor people. 🎭
But not everyone liked Perón. He controlled the media and didn’t allow people to disagree. Later, the military took over. In the 1970s and 80s, Argentina had a “Dirty War.” People who disagreed with the government disappeared—thousands were never found.
👵 Story: A group of brave mothers, called the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, walked in front of the president’s house each week. They carried photos of their lost children and demanded answers.
Chile
In 1973, a military general named Augusto Pinochet took power in Chile. He removed the elected president, Salvador Allende. Under Pinochet, people were afraid. Many were arrested or killed.
Later, the people voted and returned to democracy. Today, Chile is one of the most stable countries in Latin America.
Mexico
For 70 years, one political party (PRI) ruled Mexico. Elections happened, but the PRI always won. It wasn’t real democracy. That started to change in the 2000s when a different party finally won the election. Now Mexico is a democracy, but still faces challenges with corruption and violence.
💰 Oil, Trade, and Tourism
🛢️ Venezuela and Oil
Venezuela has a lot of oil. In the 1970s, this made the country rich. But later, prices dropped, and the government spent too much money.
A man named Hugo Chávez became president in 1999. He gave money to the poor but fought with businesses and the U.S. economy. After his death, the country fell into a big crisis. Today, people are hungry and leaving Venezuela to find better lives.
🧒 Story: A boy named Diego walked with his family from Venezuela to Colombia. He said, “I miss my school, but I want food and peace.”
📦 Trade and NAFTA
In 1994, Mexico, Canada, and the United States made a trade agreement called NAFTA (now replaced by USMCA). It made it easier to buy and sell goods between the countries.
Some farmers in Mexico lost their jobs, but trade between the countries grew a lot. Today, Mexico is one of the top trade partners of the U.S.
🏝️ Destination Cuba
Cuba became a communist country in 1959 after Fidel Castro took power. For many years, Americans could not visit or trade with Cuba.
But Cuba still became famous for music, dancing, and old cars. In the 2000s, some travel rules changed. Tourists started coming to see the beautiful beaches and colorful streets.
🎺 Story: A tourist once said, “In Cuba, I danced salsa with a 75-year-old man. He said, ‘We Cubans always have rhythm, even when life is hard.’”
⚖️ Past and Present Struggles
Latin America has had many ups and downs. Some countries have strong democracies now. Others still face problems like:
Corruption
Poverty
Drug violence
Pollution
But many Latin Americans are strong and proud of their culture.
🌽 Story of Hope
In Guatemala, a group of women started a business to sell handmade bags. They said, “We don’t want to leave our country. We want to make it better.”
🎭 Culture and Spirit
Latin America is full of life! People love:
Music like salsa, tango, and reggaetón 🎶
Festivals like Carnival and Day of the Dead 🎉
Foods like tacos and empanadas🌮
Colors—from clothes to murals to markets 🎨
Even in hard times, Latin Americans keep dancing, creating, and believing in a better future.