TEST 2 STUDY GUIDE MODERN LATIN AMERICAN

TEST 2 STUDY GUIDE: MODERN LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRY
DUE MONDAY, NOV. 10
Vocabulary:
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3.
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Caudillo – military leader
Maquiladora - Manufacturing plants established by foreign companies
Megacity- cities that are larger then others in the country
Mercantilism - Concept that’s a country’s power is determined by its wealth
Monroe Doctrine – Was a US foreign policy that protected Latin American
countries from European colonization
6. Overpopulation – To many people in one area
7. Primate Cities – They are twice as large as many other city in their country
8. Shantytown – Makeshift cities on edge of cities
9. Urbanization – Growth of city population
10.NAFTA –North American Free Trade Agreement
11.Matadors - Bullfighters

12.Futbol – soccer / mostly watched sport
13.Jai Alai – Fast paced game resembling handball
Questions:
1. What reasons did European countries have for wanting to colonize the new
world?
Mercantilism, Enlightenment ideals, Americanization of colonies
2. Explain the reasons behind the split in culture between colonists and
Europeans.
Syncretism and distance due to Atlantic Ocean
3. What reasons explain the rebellion of so many Latin American countries?
Sept. 16, 1810 – Father Miguel Hidalgo – speech incited against colonial
government.
4. What was the focus of the Haitian and Mexican rebellions?
o
End of Spanish rule in Mexico
o
Redistribution of land
o
Racial equality
5. Who were: Toussaint Louvreture and Miguel Hidalgo?

Leaders who gave a speech.
6. What are some pros and cons of maquiladoras?
Pros: Corporation Benefits Cons: Some maquiladoras ignore labors and
environmental laws
7. Why did countries like the U.S. and Japan want to build factories in Latin
America? What made them hesitate?
They wanted to build the factories there because of the low cost for labor.
Hesitation was made due environmental laws.
What is the major direction that Latin Americans migrate, why?
North, because it was closer to the border and Urban areas.

8. Explain the major reason behind urbanization. What are some positive and
negative effects?
Growth of city population. Pros: many Primate cities Cons: pollution, strained
resources
9. What is life often like in a shantytown (characteristics)? Give an example of a
shantytown in Latin America.
makeshift communities on edge of cities
Known by various names in different cities
Sao Paolo’s Favelas/Lack of running water, education, and skills to get a

job.Typically located on slopes or wetlands.
10.What are some problems faced by overpopulated cities?
schools & healthcare facilities overwhelmed; lack of police resources
11.Explain why drug cartels are so successful in Mexico and Colombia. What is
the major drug produced in Latin America?
Production was super high so consumption was low. Major drug was cocaine
12.Explain why Catholicism is so widespread in Latin America.
72% of Latin America was catholic
13.What culture influences Latin American art the most?
Native American
14.Who was Hugo Chavez?
Dictator from Venezuela
15.What cities in Latin America are included in the top 25 populated cities of the
world?
#9Sau Paulo, Brazil (20,186,000)
#10: Mexico City, Mexico (19,463,000)
20# Buenos Aires, Argentina (13,639,000)
16.What are some problems faced by Mexico culturally?
90% of US’ cocaine came via Mexico and Central America
17.Why is child labor so common in Latin America? What are the conditions like

for the children?
For children to help out their family. They get paid less and work crazy long
hours.