Liberation Theology
This Peruvian priest is known as the "Father of Liberation Theology."
Who is Gustavo Gutiérrez?
This Cuban revolutionary, known for his role in the Cuban Revolution, led the 26th of July Movement and later became the Prime Minister of Cuba.
Who is Fidel Castro?
This Chilean general led a military coup in 1973 and ruled as a dictator until 1990.
Who is Augusto Pinochet?
This Argentine leader served as President three times and is known for his populist policies and the establishment of Peronism.
Who is Juan Perón?
This Cuban leader seized power in a military coup in 1952 and ruled until he was overthrown in 1959.
Who is Fulgencio Batista?
This term refers to the Church's commitment to prioritize the needs of the marginalized and impoverished.
What is the Preferential Option for the Poor?
An Argentine revolutionary who played a key role in the Cuban Revolution and later sought to spread revolution worldwide.
Who is Che Guevara?
This secret police agency, established by Pinochet, was responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including torture and disappearances.
What is the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA)?
This political movement, founded by Juan Perón, emphasizes social justice, economic independence, and political sovereignty.
What is Peronism?
This revolutionary group, led by Fidel Castro, played a central role in overthrowing Batista's regime.
What is the 26th of July Movement?
Location of the 1968 conference of Latin American bishops who emphasized the Church's role in social justice and the preferential option for the poor.
What is Medellin Colombia?
This Salvadoran archbishop, known for his outspoken criticism of the government and advocacy for the poor, was assassinated in 1980.
Who is Archbishop Óscar Romero?
These economists, trained at the University of Chicago, implemented neoliberal reforms in Chile under Pinochet's regime.
Who are the Chicago Boys?
This event on October 17, 1945, marked a massive demonstration of support at the Plaza de Mayo for Juan Perón and is celebrated annually in Argentina.
What is Loyalty Day?
Economic dependence on this industry led to unemployment, social unrest, Batista's dictatorship, and finally revolution.
What is sugar?
This document from the Second Vatican Council addresses the Church's responsibility to address social inequalities and promote human dignity.
What is Gaudium et Spes?
This leftist guerrilla organization, formed in 1980, played a central role in the Salvadoran Civil War and later became a political party.
What is the FMLN (Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front)?
This agency paid $8 million to right-wing opposition groups to "create pressures, exploit weaknesses, magnify obstacles" and hasten President Allende's deposition.
What is the CIA?
Juan Perón implemented this series of economic plans aimed at industrialization and self-sufficiency in Argentina.
What are the Five-Year Plans?
This policy, implemented by Fidel Castro in the early 1960s, involved the government taking control of all major industries and businesses in Cuba.
What is nationalization?
These grassroots Christian groups in Latin America focus on social justice and community organization.
What are Base Communities (Comunidades Eclesiales de Base) or CEBs?
This guerrilla tactic, involving sudden and unexpected attacks on enemy forces, was commonly used by the FMLN during the Salvadoran Civil War.
What is an ambush?
This U.S. president's administration provided support to Pinochet's regime during the Cold War.
Who is Richard Nixon?
Name of Peron's ideology that was neither full capitalism or communism and was framed as a "third way".
What is "justicialismo"?
This campaign, launched by Fidel Castro in 1961, aimed to eradicate illiteracy in Cuba and significantly increased the literacy rate.
What is the Literacy Campaign?
Write a thesis: Why did the Roman Catholic Church change its approach to poverty in Latin America?
Thesis = Answer to the question/claim + reason + counterargument/complexity
Extreme poverty and inequality led the Church to focus on social justice.
Liberation Theology encouraged helping the poor through action, not just charity.
Some leaders worried this was too political; approach varied by country.
Analyze the conditions in El Salvador that caused the FMLN guerrillas to take up arms against the military government.
Thesis = Answer to the question/claim + reason + counterargument/complexity
Extreme poverty and inequality left many people struggling to survive.
The military government was repressive, using violence to silence dissent.
Political corruption and lack of representation made peaceful change impossible.
These conditions led the FMLN guerrillas to take up arms for social and political justice.
Discuss the reasons for the rise to power of a military dictatorship in one country (Chile).
Thesis = Answer to the question/claim + reason + counterargument/complexity
Economic instability and high inflation created widespread dissatisfaction.
Political polarization between leftist and rightist groups caused social unrest.
Fear of socialism/communism among the middle and upper classes increased support for a strong military government.
The military, led by Augusto Pinochet, seized power in a coup in 1973.
Analyze the aims and achievements of one populist leader in Latin America.
Thesis = Answer to the question/claim + reason + counterargument/complexity
Aims: Improve workers’ rights, reduce inequality, and gain popular support through social programs.
Achievements: Expanded labor rights, created welfare programs, nationalized key industries, and strengthened the role of the state in the economy.
Complexity: Policies increased Perón’s popularity but also caused political polarization and economic challenges later.
“Social rather than political factors were the main cause of the Cuban Revolution.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Thesis = Answer to the question/claim + reason + counterargument/complexity
Social factors: Extreme inequality, poverty, and poor living conditions for peasants and workers created widespread discontent.
Political factors: Corruption, repression, and lack of democratic participation under Batista fueled anger.
Complexity: Both social and political factors were important, but social inequality motivated many to support revolutionary change.