Chapter 11 Today’s Issues “Latin America”

The vegetation of the rain forest helps to clean the earth’s atmosphere, regulate the climate and shelter plants, insects and wildlife.The vegetation of the rain forest helps to clean the earth’s atmosphere, regulate the climate and shelter plants, insects and wildlife. More than half of the Amazon rain forest is located in Brazil, and Brazil ‘s population is growing rapidly, which means expansion into the rain forest.More than half of the Amazon rain forest is located in Brazil, and Brazil ‘s population is growing rapidly, which means expansion into the rain forest.

Towards the end of the 20 th century, nearly 50 million acres of rain forest worldwide were being destroyed every year.Towards the end of the 20 th century, nearly 50 million acres of rain forest worldwide were being destroyed every year. Why deforestation? Demand for timber such as mahogany and cedar. Natives clearing the land for growing crops and ranching.Why deforestation? Demand for timber such as mahogany and cedar. Natives clearing the land for growing crops and ranching.

Rain forest regulate the earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. This is important to prevent increased global warming.Rain forest regulate the earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. This is important to prevent increased global warming. 6% of the earth’s surface is covered by rain forest, and these areas are home to nearly 50% of the world’s plant and animal species.6% of the earth’s surface is covered by rain forest, and these areas are home to nearly 50% of the world’s plant and animal species. Plants from the rain forest have been used to heal wounds and create cures for illnesses and disease.Plants from the rain forest have been used to heal wounds and create cures for illnesses and disease.

Latin American countries face balancing economic growth with preservation of rain forest.Latin American countries face balancing economic growth with preservation of rain forest. Many nations have tried to help Latin American governments with economic development, in order for countries that have rain forest to focus on the problem of deforestation.Many nations have tried to help Latin American governments with economic development, in order for countries that have rain forest to focus on the problem of deforestation.

Many Latin American nations have borrowed money to improve living conditions, and now they are struggling to pay it back.Many Latin American nations have borrowed money to improve living conditions, and now they are struggling to pay it back. This is where debt-for-nature swap. Environmentalists agree to pay off a certain amount of a government, in order to get a portion a the rain forest protected.This is where debt-for-nature swap. Environmentalists agree to pay off a certain amount of a government, in order to get a portion a the rain forest protected.

Section 2 Giving Citizens a Voice Today Latin Americans are leaning towards democratic governments. Democracy depends on free and fair elections, citizen participation, majority rule with minority rights and guaranteed freedoms.

In an oligarchy the government censored the press, limited free speech, and punished dissent. They also discriminated against anyone who was not part of the Spanish ruling class. Although they held elections, they were not legit. The military would not hesitate to step in if the government could not control the people. A lot of governments were ruled by dictators.

Mexico was governed by caudillos (Institutional Revolutionary Party) during most of the 20 th century. However, today they have accepted democracy. Vicente Fox became the first non-PRI president since the adoption of Mexico’s constitution in Mexico was governed by caudillos (Institutional Revolutionary Party) during most of the 20 th century. However, today they have accepted democracy. Vicente Fox became the first non-PRI president since the adoption of Mexico’s constitution in Creating democracies in Latin America requires political, economic and land reforms. Creating democracies in Latin America requires political, economic and land reforms. A freely-elected government that respects the law is the basis of democracy. People must be educated and provided economic security. A freely-elected government that respects the law is the basis of democracy. People must be educated and provided economic security.

Goals for reform to create stability include: 1 st - Establish a constitutional government 2 nd - Recognize and increase the role of women in politics. 3 rd - Give portions of land to land-poor peasant farmers. Marta Suplicy was elected mayor of Sao Paulo, Brazil in Benito Juarez was elected Mexico’s president in * Important to land reform