Cold War
When was the Cold War?
WWII until the 90s
Define authoritarianism.
a political system and style of governance characterized by the concentration of power in a single leader or a small elite, the rejection of political pluralism, and the systematic suppression of individual freedoms and civil liberties
Karl Marx
Where was Che Guevara born?
Argentina
True or False: Neoliberalism is an economic practice incorporating strong government intervention and regulation of trade.
False
Who were the main global superpowers involved in the Cold War?
US & USSR
True or False: Authoritarian regimes are associated with centralized control of power and expanded political rights.
False
What is socialism?
Socialism is an economic and political philosophy that calls for social, public, or collective ownership of the means of production (such as factories, land, machinery, and natural resources) rather than private ownership. It is seen as the stepping stone between capitalism and communism according to Karl Marx.
What was Che Guevara's political ideology?
Communist revolution via Guerilla Warfare
Does neoliberalism incorporate or reject socialist and communist ideals?
Reject
Name the ideologies associated with the two main global powers of the Cold War.
US - Democracy/Neoliberalism
USSR - Communism
Describe an authoritarian military regime.
Military regimes: led by high-ranking officers who often seize power through coups. Armed forces decide who leads the country and exercise strong influence over policy.
What is Communism?
Communism is a political and economic ideology that aims to replace private property and a profit-driven economy with public or communal ownership of the major means of production (such as factories, land, and resources).The goal is a classless, moneyless society.
What was Che Guevara doing in Central America?
In 1953 Guevara went to Guatemala. This was one year before the CIA overthrew Arbenz for attempting to redistribute land belonging to the US based United Fruit Company. From here, Guevara gathered that the US would always oppose leftist governments. After his time in Guatemala, Guevara continued into Mexico where he met Raul and Fidel Castro.
Name one benefit and one drawback of neoliberalism.
Benefits:
1. Economic Efficiency
2. Cheaper Taxes
3. Cheaper Goods
Drawbacks:
1. Financial Instability
2. Lower Wages
3. Unemployment
Name 3 countries involved in the Cold War.
We've covered communism and military overthrows associated with the Cold War in Cuba, Guatemala, Colombia Argentina, and Chile
Give one LAC example of an authoritarian leader.
Trujillo
Pinochet
Castro
What's the difference between authoritarianism and democracy?
In a democracy, power rests with the people, either directly or through elected representatives. In an authoritarian system, power is concentrated in a single leader, a small elite group, or a dominant party with little to no meaningful input or consent from the general population
What is Che Guevara's relationship with Cuba?
By 1956 he was a Guerilla fighter in the Cuban movement, and served as the force’s doctor and became one of the Castro’s most trusted aids
During and after the Cuban revolution to communism, Guevara became a Cuban citizen and represented the newly established Marxist government on an international level
He also became well known in the West for his opposition to all forms of imperialism and neocolonialism and for his attacks on U.S. foreign policy.
After Cuba, in December 1964 Guevara traveled to New York City, where he condemned U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs and incursions into Cuban airspace in an address to the United Nations General Assembly. Back in Cuba, increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the Cuban social experiment and its reliance on the Soviets, Guevara began focusing his attention on fostering revolution elsewhere.
What is privatization and deregulation in neoliberalism?
Privatization involves transferring public assets and services to private ownership, while deregulation aims to reduce government control and restrictions on businesses. Proponents argue that these measures increase competition, innovation, and productivity, ultimately benefiting society as a whole. However, critics argue that privatization and deregulation can lead to the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, exacerbating inequality.
Summarize the Cuban Missile Crisis
It was a 13-day confrontation between the governments of the United States and the Soviet Union, when American deployments of nuclear missiles in the United Kingdom, Italy and Turkey were matched by Soviet deployments of nuclear missiles in Cuba. The crisis lasted from 16 to 28 October 1962. The confrontation is widely considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into full-scale nuclear war.
Name three characteristics of an authoritarian regime.
Centralized control of power
limited political rights
mentality over ideology
low popular mobilization
significant military influence
Name one example of a communist regime in LAC.
CUBA!
What countries were involved in the death of Che Guevara?
The US and Bolivia (CIA & Bolivian Army)
How can neoliberalism exacerbate inequality?
By reducing government intervention, neoliberalism aims to create a level playing field where individuals can freely compete and succeed based on their own merits. However, critics argue that this approach can exacerbate inequality by neglecting the needs of marginalized groups and failing to address structural barriers.