| Change in Latin America Essay Questions Handouts |
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| Student Handouts > World History > Modern Latin America > Modern Latin America Worksheets |
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Change in Latin America Essay Questions Handout #1—Answer each of the following questions using complete sentences. 1. What roles did Juan and Eva Perón play in Argentina’s politics? Juan Perón, as Argentina's president (1946-55, 1973-74), championed Peronism—a populist movement blending nationalism, labor rights, and state intervention. His policies boosted workers' wages but also centralized power. Eva ("Evita") Perón, his wife, became a cultural icon, mobilizing support through her Foundation's social programs and fiery speeches advocating for the descamisados (working class). Together, they reshaped Argentine politics, leaving a legacy of loyalty and controversy that still influences the nation today. 2. What role has Fidel Castro played in the history of Cuba? Fidel Castro (1926-2016) led Cuba's 1959 revolution, overthrowing Batista's dictatorship and establishing a communist state aligned with the Soviet Union. As prime minister (1959-76) and later president (1976-2008), he implemented socialist reforms, including universal healthcare and education, but suppressed dissent, crippled the economy, and provoked U.S. opposition (Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis). His defiant anti-imperialist stance made him a polarizing global figure—hailed as a revolutionary hero by some, condemned as a dictator by others. 3. Describe the evolving relationship between the United States and Cuba following the collapse of the USSR. After the USSR's 1991 collapse, Cuba lost Soviet subsidies, plunging into economic crisis (the "Special Period"). The U.S. tightened its embargo, hoping to trigger Castro's fall, but Cuba survived through tourism and alliances with China and Venezuela. Relations briefly thawed under Obama (2014-2016)—diplomatic ties resumed, travel restrictions eased—before reversing under Trump's sanctions. Biden has made minor concessions, but the embargo endures, maintaining Cold War-era tensions despite Cuba's economic desperation and shifting geopolitics. Click here to print. Answers will vary. |
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Change in Latin America Essay Questions Handout #2—Answer each of the following questions using complete sentences. 1. Describe the Sandinistas of Nicaragua. The Sandinistas (FSLN) were a socialist revolutionary group that overthrew Nicaragua's Somoza dictatorship in 1979. Led by Daniel Ortega, they implemented land reforms, literacy campaigns, and healthcare programs but faced U.S.-backed Contra rebels during the 1980s. After losing elections in 1990, they returned to power under Ortega in 2007, shifting toward authoritarianism—suppressing protests, consolidating power, and aligning with Russia and China. Once revolutionary idealists, they are now accused of corruption and repression. 2. How has Latin American immigration affected the United States? Latin American immigration has profoundly shaped the U.S., contributing to its cultural diversity, labor force, and economic growth. Migrants fill essential jobs in agriculture, construction, and service industries, while enriching American society with traditions, cuisine, and bilingualism. However, immigration has also sparked political debates over border security, undocumented workers, and integration. Communities with large Latino populations—like Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston—highlight both the opportunities and challenges of this ongoing demographic transformation. 3. How and why was the organization known as the Mothers of the Plaza de Maya formed? The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo formed in 1977 as a response to Argentina's military dictatorship (1976-1983), which "disappeared" tens of thousands of dissidents, including their children. These courageous women gathered weekly at Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo, wearing white headscarves and demanding answers. Their peaceful protests exposed state terrorism globally, becoming a symbol of human rights resistance. Though some later split over political differences, their activism helped bring justice for dictatorship victims. Click here to print. Answers will vary. |
| Student Handouts > World History > Modern Latin America > Modern Latin America Worksheets |
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