Transcript Mexico 2
Mexico: Post World War II http://mexico.vg/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/mexico-map-of-mexico.gif Jill Popek and Chelsea Peak The Basics • Population: 100+ million – 60% Mestizo (European + Indian) – 30% Amerindians (Indians in W. Hemisphere) – 9% White – <1% other • Spanish is official language – English is increasingly more evident • 89% Roman Catholic • Federal government – Three Branches (Executive, Legislative, Judicial) • Legislature is similar to U.S. – Two major parties: • Partido Revolucionario Nacional (PRI) • Partido Accion Nacional (PAN) • Economy driven by oil, cars, electronics, coffee, cotton, fresh food, and tourism • Americanization of cultural life – “Bigger is better” philosophy – NFL, NBA, NCAA is broadcasted Mexico in WWII • Allies • Provided 40% of raw materials to U.S. war industry – US aids their financial crisis • June 1942: Mexico declares war on Axis • Some Mexicans went to the U.S. to fight in their armed forces • In return, U.S. helps the Mexican government remain neutral and not go the ways of Fascism and Communism Member of 201 Escuadron Fought against Japan in Phillipines NAFTA • Between U.S., Canada, Mexico • Mexico now has to openly compete with world’s most powerful economy, U.S. • Mexico’s main concern is agriculture • Reduced worth of Mexican peso Signed Jan. 1, 1994 The Zapatista Revolt • January 1, 1994: Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) seizes power in three cities in Chiapas • Called for social justice, a democratic government • Wanted President Salinas to resign • EZLN refused amnesty, is removed from power • Video clip: Zapatista Revolution – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUpcuM9 5t5M&feature=fvw • What social class are the Zapatistas from? • Are they for or against the government? • What is their overall goal? – Why do they wear black masks? Corruption of the PRI • Most successful political party in the world • Presidential successors were often picked by the current president • During elections, ballots were stuffed and candidates assassinated • Held power for 71 years • Public suspicion Election of Vicente Fox Quesada • First to be elected from opposition party in 71 years • Big change for Mexico Felipe Calderon Mexico’s current President, 2006-2012 Steps Towards Democracy • Mexican citizens do not trust their government/elections • Lawmakers/officials can be reelected • Presidential candidates must secure at least 50% of votes • Independents may run for President Current Social Problems • Organized crime • Drug-related violence • Public security – Police not only guard major institutions, but also shops • Poverty • Unemployment • Women still have a “lower” place in society NAFTA’s Effect • GDP of Mexico rises, but not as substantially as U.S. and Canada • Increased trade between Mexico and U.S. – Lowering of prices for Mexicans by ½ • • • • High rate of unemployment Economy isn’t improving as expected Still cannot compete with U.S. agriculture “A disappointment” Overview • • • • • Part of Allies during WWII Mostly indigenous population PRI was main source of power NAFTA agreement leads to Zapatista revolt Two opposition candidates elected – Democratic reforms • NAFTA still has lasting effect on current economy • Current social issues include crime and women’s rights Sources • Lenchek, Shep. “Mexico- Forgotten WWII Ally.” MexConnect. 1 January 2001. 5 January 2010 < http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/678-mexico-forgotten-worldwar-ii-ally > • Minster, Christopher. “The Unsung Ally: Mexican Involvement in World War II.” About.com. 5 January 2010. < http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofmexico/a/09me xicoww2.htm > • Kirkwood, Burton. The History of Mexico. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2000. • Greste, Peter. “End of Era for all-powerful party.” BBC. 2 July 2000. 9 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/815359.stm. • http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-mexicoreform16-2009dec16,0,2360570.story • http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mexico.html • Photo Credits Mexican citizens http://www.mssu.edu/international/ilrc/resources/mexico/images/people1.JP G • Miguel Aleman Valdez http://www.joseacontreras.net/mexico/images/historia/gobernantes/Miguel_ Aleman_Valdez_1900-1983.jpg • 201 Escuadron: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scitech/impacto/graphic/aviation/graphic_ wwii201.html http://me1629.tripod.com/Pilotos_E201.jpg • Signing of Nafta http://www.finanafi.org/contenu/partages/chronlogie/alena2.jpg • Emiliano Zapata http://latinolikeme.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/zapata0.jpg • Sub-Comandante Marcos http://media.lavozdegalicia.es/default/2008/04/28/001212093925284622849 17/Foto/E24Y9153.jpg • Che Guevara http://bellum.stanfordreview.org/wpcontent/uploads/2009/02/che-guevara-lg.jpg • Vicente Fox Quesada http://toppeople.starmedia.com/tmp/swotti/cacheDMLJZW50ZSBMB3G=UGVVCGX LLVBLB3BSZQ==/imgvicente%20fox2.jpg • http://images.salon.com/news/feature/2000/12/02/fox/story.jpg