Democracy spreads to Africa

Enduring Understandings1. Long-standing cultural and religious differences and conflicts are still evident in the post-colonial world.2. Centers of global and economic and political power shift over time3. The end of World War II led to the ending of colonization, the creation of new countries and conflict

between the superpowers for influence.

Warm-up – has democratization been successful in Latin America? Cite specific evidence

1. Final exam essay – May 31– Complete Graphic organizer - Reminder2. Questions about democratization in Latin America?3. Complete p 15 about democracy in Africa4. Describe the similarities between Africa and Latin America. What are the

differences?5. How does the end of Colonization and the end of the Cold War, combined

with the modernization of Latin America lead to a potential shift in the center of global economic and political power?

6. Core 2 final touches

Latin America democratizes

• Most of South America was colonized by Spain (except Brazil and the 3 Guyanas)

• Dictators or authoritarian parties governed most of South America until after WWII

• After WWII many countries elected nationalist/socialist parties and leaders

• The US, the wealthy and many Catholics helped to lead coups to overthrow these governments out of fear of communism

• From the 1970s to the 1990s, many Latin American Countries were governed by dictators

Making Democracy workPractices that are

common in democracy

Conditions that contribute to democratic progress

Free electionsFree media of communicationMajority rule with minority rights protectedParticipationCulture of compromiseConstitutional government with limits and checks and balances

Economic stabilityRule of lawBelief in and protection of individual rightsBelief in democracyPractice of contingent consentDevelopment of civil society

Steering Brazil toward democracy• What actions have Brazilian leaders

taken in the 80s and 90s that helped to stabilize the Brazilian economy?– Foreign investment– Infrastructure improvements

(development projects) to help grow the economy

– Froze wages– Protected wealth landowners– Cut social programs

• Note a democratic practice in Brazil today– Direct elections of local state and

national leaders– Direct elections of president

Ending one party rule in Mexico2 crises that threatened democracy in Mexico1. 1968 student protests in Mexico City2. world oil price decline in the 1980s leading to lower government revenues,

declines in government spending and a debt crisis.3. Chiapas rebellion by Zapatista pro-Indian movement4. 1988 presidential election fraud

Ways that the election of 1997 advanced democracy1. no more dedazo – president no

longer appointed successors and other candidates

2. primary election for PRI candidates

3. opposition parties gained many seats in Chamber of Deputies, weakening power of PRI

4. creation of independent Federal Election Institute

Ending repression in Argentina

Effects of Military rule on Argentinaweakened welfare statePoor became militantNo political fairness, rights or freedomsEconomy stagnatedTorture and murder by pro-government groups as part of the “Dirty War”

Current democratic practicesfree electionsrule of lawfunctioning independent judiciary

Ethnicity and African Countries – notice any issues?

Current country borders Current Ethnic group locations

Democratic challenges in Africa1. Set the stage for civil war or ethnic conflict and poor conditions for

democratization lack of national identity2. Poor economic prospects for future; small middle class; few domestic consumable products; import economy; international debt3. Inability to have skills and knowledge to be successful in the modern technological age4. Rebellion put down and Nigeria was united with more (36) states created along ethnic lines; but set precedent for military coups5. Brutality and corruption; continued ethnic violence and ethnic based corruption

Democratic challenges in Africa6. Afrikaner culture, people and white race become predominant in all

areas of life leading to apartheid7. Repression of protestors; thousands killed and international condemnation; unrest continued and a state of emergency was declared8. Significant changes – Mandela released from prison, ANC legalized; democracy w universal voting eligibility and the repeal of apartheid9. Mandela elected and NAC was majority in the national assembly; orderly democratic change when Mbeki was elected in 1999.