Latin America, Africa, The Middle East and China 1950-Present

Latin America Map In Latin America, the Middle East, China, and much of Africa, the 20th century witnessed a struggle between the forces of revolution and reaction. In the second half of the 20th century, Latin America took an intermediate position between the nations of the north Atlantic and those of Africa and Asia. Investments often came from the West and Latin America was vulnerable to the world financial system. Throughout the 20th century, it grappled with issues of social justice, cultural autonomy, and economic security. Worker's organizations emerged as a political force. Explosive urban growth and emigration were often key concerns. Overall, the economy and politics were subject to broad shifts. Although much of Latin America was subject to the rhetoric of social and political change, remarkable little change actually occurred. At the same time, significant transformations took place in education, social services, women's rights and the role of industry. Deep divisions between ethnic and religious groups remained when European rulers disappeared from their former colonies. Economic life was hampered by concessions made to the departing colonizers and by an international economy that favored industrialized nations. They lacked technological and management expertise, and had to face steady population growth and environmental degradation. Social unrest occurred due to corruption, and breakdowns in traditional culture. Failure to solve the problems produced dissent and disturbances that shook existing regimes. Opponents included political and religious revivalist groups with widely different proposed solutions. Leaders adopted differing strategies to remain in power, but many were replaced by military officers who assumed dictatorial authority. In Iran, an anti-Western religious movement triumphed. Other countries in the Middle East also struggled with decolonization and establishing stable economies and governments.

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