Dylan Grant

Ms. Tavani
World Cultures
May 19, 2015

How did the Cold War affect Latin American? Why did the United States get
involved?
The Cold War affected Latin America by having to take sides between the
Americans and Soviets. America intervened in countries such as Cuba, Guatemala,
Nicaragua and Chile since they were communist and looked at as evil. The
countries the US were alliances with, the USSR would intervene with since they
were going against America in the Cold War. The Americans were involved since the
USSR were aiding these communist Latin American countries which the US did not
like.

What is the difference between left and right wing? And why is it confusing?
A left wing government is a bigger government and usually controls
businesses. In the extreme, it is what communism tries to do. Compared to right
wing government which is usually a smaller government that lets businesses do
their own thing. Left wing are known as liberals and right wing are considered
conservatives. It is confusing because neither are better than each other in certain
cases.

Why did the United States get involved in Cuba?

The United States had a lot of business in Cuba economically. Castro took
control of Cuba and since he was communist the United States automatically had a
problem with Cuba as a whole. The US refused to trade with Cuba. US citizens are
not allowed to go there.

Whats a banana republic?

It is a country that has an almost powerless government who is run/controlled
by a company. Its sole purpose is to produce and export goods (usually bananas).

How did the CIA get involved in Guatemala?

The CIA helped overthrow the dictator in Guatemala named Jacobo Arbenz
Guzman. This followed with a lot of violence in Guatemala.

What is the other infamous September 11th?

This is when Augusto Pinochet overthrew the government on September 11 th,
1973. People suffered huge human rights violations while thousands were killed
and tortured. The United States supported him to take over the government with a
military coup.

Who were the disappeared in Argentina?

The 30,000 people who were killed by being taken out of their homes or off
the street by secret police. These people were never heard of again. They were
people who opposed government views during WWII.

Why was it controversial when the United States intervened in Nicaragua?

Because they were helping a non-communist party as usual but after a long
period of time they couldnt help with supplying weapons anymore. They secretly
sent their weapons to Iran who then sent them to the Contras people fighting for
power against the Sandinistas (communists). The Iran-Iraq war was going on at the
same time as America was secretly sending weapons to Iran for the Contras in
Nicaragua.

What violence occurred in Brazil and El Salvador?

Left wing and right wing guerilla fighters fought because of there was a
dictator named Getulio Vargas who was extremely conservative. He let Brazil slowly
deteriorate and a civil war broke out in El Salvador. 75,000 people were killed
during the civil war.