Chase Hodges

World Cultures

Task #2
1. What role did the military play in shaping the economy of Brazil?
They had many military leaders who started projects in the Amazon that got the
economy booming.
2. What were some of the positive benefits of one-party rule in Mexico?
Improve lives for peasants, promoted labor rights, industrialized Mexicos oil industry,
replacing other big oil industries with their own state-run industry.
3. What effect did the Falklands war have on the military government in Argentina?
The dictatorship fell and Argentina had their first free elections. Also, the war
devastated Argentinas economy.
4. Review the chart of Population Living in Poverty
[a] In which three countries of Latin America is the percentage of people living in poverty
the lowest?
Argentina
[b] In which three countries is the poverty rate highest?
Mexico
5. After reading this excerpt, in your opinion, has the military dictatorships in L.A. nations been
bad or good for the nations' growth? Explain your answer in two paragraphs [minimum].
For the nations growth, I feel like the military leaders did more good then harm. I dont
think the treatment of the people was ok but I think the military leaders helped these nations
advance in there economy and gave their nations a jumpstart.
I feel like the emphasis that Brazils military leaders put on economic growth helped
Brazil catch up with the rest of the world. Although it decreased standard of living and people
were tortured, I think it was worth it because it brightened the future of Brazil.
While reading, define/explain each term or name below and write a sentence regarding its
significance to the topic:
a. Brazilia- The new capital city in the interior of Brazil.
b. Land reform- Breaking up large estates to give to peasants.
c. Standard of living- Level of comfort defined on amount of good you have.
d. Recession- Slow down in economy.

Chase Hodges

World Cultures

e. PRI- The Institutional Revolution Party, the biggest force of political instability. Won every
election by fraud and tainted votes.
f. NAFTA- Agreement to move trade barriers from Mexico, Canada, and the US.
g. Nationalization of an industry- The process of opening industries up to public.
h. Welfare state- Social programs with broad popular appeal but limited freedoms.