Unit VIII - Anti-Populist Backlash and US Imperialism (1)

Question 1

What is the term used to describe the U.S. and Soviet Union’s indirect conflict during the Cold War?

Answer 1

Cold War

The Cold War was characterized by proxy wars, military interventions, and coups, especially in the Global South.

Question 2

Who led the Cuban Revolution that established a socialist state in Cuba?

Answer 2

Fidel Castro and Che Guevara

The revolution occurred between 1953 and 1959, overthrowing the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Question 3

In what year did the CIA orchestrate a coup in Guatemala to overthrow President Árbenz?

Answer 3

1954

The coup was aimed at protecting U.S. business interests, particularly the United Fruit Company.

Question 4

What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

Answer 4

A failed CIA-backed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in 1961

Cuban exiles were landed on the island in this operation.

Question 5

Which U.S.-backed coup occurred in Brazil in 1964?

Answer 5

The coup that overthrew President Goulart

After the coup, the U.S. supported the dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.

Question 6

What action did the U.S. take in the Dominican Republic in 1965?

Answer 6

Invaded with 20,000 Marines to prevent the return of leftist President Bosch

This was done after a civil war and fears of a ‘Cuban-style’ revolution.

Question 7

What was the outcome of the U.S. intervention in Chile in 1973?

Answer 7

The military coup that overthrew Salvador Allende and brought Augusto Pinochet to power

The U.S. then supported Pinochet’s regime.

Question 8

What did H. Kissinger give tacit approval for in Argentina in 1976?

Answer 8

The military coup to depose President Isabel Perón

The U.S. did not orchestrate the coup but supported the military.

Question 9

In the 1980s, which guerrilla group did the U.S. fund and arm in Nicaragua?

Answer 9

The Contras

They fought against the Sandinistas, who had overthrown the U.S.-supported Somoza regime.

Question 10

What was Operation Just Cause?

Answer 10

The U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989

The invasion aimed to remove dictator Manuel Noriega, citing drug trafficking and protecting U.S. citizens.

Question 11

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

Answer 11

An extension of the Monroe Doctrine stating the U.S. would intervene in Latin America to maintain stability

This justified various U.S. interventions in the region.

Question 12

What was the ‘Big Stick’ policy?

Answer 12

A political approach by Theodore Roosevelt advocating for a strong military presence

The phrase ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’ encapsulates this approach.

Question 13

Which countries did the U.S. occupy during the Banana Wars?

Answer 13

Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic

These interventions were primarily to protect U.S. commercial interests.

Question 14

What was the economic focus of U.S. interventions in Latin America after 1945?

Answer 14

Financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank became primary tools for ensuring debt repayment

This marked a shift from military interventions to economic diplomacy.

Question 15

Who was Anastasio Somoza García?

Answer 15

The head of the Nicaraguan National Guard appointed by the U.S. military in 1933

He established a dictatorship supported by the U.S. for decades.

Question 16

What was the role of U.S. Marines in Nicaragua from 1912 to 1933?

Answer 16

They occupied Nicaragua to protect U.S. economic interests and prevent political instability

This included establishing and training the Nicaraguan National Guard.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The U.S. intervened in Cuba during its independence war to control _______.

Answer 17

Cuba and Puerto Rico

Question 18

True or False: The U.S. supported the dictatorship in Guatemala during its genocidal campaign against Indigenous people.

Answer 18

True

This occurred during Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s.

Question 19

What was the outcome of the military coup in Nicaragua?

Answer 19

Establishment of a dictatorship that lasted for decades

Supported by the U.S. due to its anti-communist stance.

Question 20

What type of support did the U.S. provide to the Somoza family regime?

Answer 20

Military, financial, and political support

Provided for over 40 years despite corruption and human rights abuses.

Question 21

Who overthrew the Somoza dictatorship in 1979?

Answer 21

The Sandinista National Liberation Front

This marked the end of the Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua.

Question 22

What economic issues were prevalent during the period of state interventionism?

Answer 22

Lower industrial growth, no exports, and increasing unemployment

Characterized by supply-side bottlenecks and technological stagnation.

Question 23

What were the effects of price controls and subsidies during state interventionism?

Answer 23

Kept food, services, and transport costs artificially low

Led to increased public expenditure and decreasing public revenues.

Question 24

What was a key consequence of the fiscal imbalance in the 1970s?

Answer 24

Growing fiscal and external imbalances leading to inflation

Limited foreign capital due to lack of trust in populists.

Question 25

What economic model faced diminishing returns during the 1970s?

Answer 25

Premature de-industrialization ## Footnote Resulted in monetization of the deficit and increasing government role.

Question 26

What characterized the backlash origins in Latin America during the 1980s?

Answer 26

High inflation in countries with ISI policies ## Footnote Countries affected included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.

Question 27

Who was deposed in Chile in 1973?

Answer 27

Salvador Allende ## Footnote He was the first socialist leader democratically elected in Chile.

Question 28

What was the purpose of Operation Condor?

Answer 28

A coordinated campaign by South American dictators to eliminate leftwing opposition ## Footnote Supported by the U.S. as part of its Cold War strategy.

Question 29

What was the role of the School of the Americas?

Answer 29

To train military personnel from Latin America in counterinsurgency and military intelligence ## Footnote Graduates were linked to military coups and human rights abuses.

Question 30

What were the economic policies implemented during the Pinochet regime?

Answer 30

Neoliberal policies including privatization, deregulation, and social spending cuts ## Footnote Influenced by the Chicago Boys and Milton Friedman.

Question 31

How many people were tortured during the Pinochet regime?

Answer 31

Over 30,000 people ## Footnote At least 3,000 were killed or disappeared.

Question 32

What economic condition characterized the debt crisis in the 1980s?

Answer 32

Negative fiscal balance due to low growth and high spending ## Footnote Required austerity measures and cuts in government spending.

Question 33

What was the impact of austerity measures in Latin America during the 1980s?

Answer 33

Systematic human rights violations and repression of opposition ## Footnote Enforced through violence and U.S. assistance to dictators.

Question 34

What economic outcome resulted from the Argentinean military dictatorship's policies?

Answer 34

Deindustrialization and increased foreign debt ## Footnote Exacerbated social inequality and led to a balance of payments problem.

Question 35

What slogan was associated with the Argentinean military junta in 1978?

Answer 35

'Achicar el estado es agrandar la Nacion' ## Footnote Translates to 'Shrinking government for the aggrandizement of the Nation.'

Question 36

What was one of the first measures taken by the Argentinean military government?

Answer 36

Freezing of wages ## Footnote Resulted in a 40% fall in workers’ real incomes between 1976 and 1980.

Question 37

What was the economic strategy of Brazil in the 1980s?

Answer 37

Liberalization, reduced state control, and incentivizing foreign direct investments ## Footnote A mix of protectionism and export promotion was maintained.

Question 38

What was the impact of debt-led growth during the 1970s?

Answer 38

Accumulation of debt and balance of payments problems ## Footnote Led to macroeconomic instability and low growth in the long run.

Question 39

What characterized the economic effects of 'shock therapy'?

Answer 39

Severe economic and social effects, including systematic human rights violations ## Footnote Supported by U.S. assistance to authoritarian regimes.

Question 40

What is the term for the economic phenomenon characterized by rising prices and stagnant economic growth?

Answer 40

Stagflation ## Footnote Stagflation combines stagnant economic growth with inflation.

Question 41

What crisis in the 1980s led to a need for more austerity measures?

Answer 41

Debt crisis ## Footnote The debt crisis of the 1980s significantly impacted economic policies.

Question 42

What is the impact of cuts in public spending and investment known as?

Answer 42

Austerity ## Footnote Austerity measures often lead to increased social inequality.

Question 43

What economic condition is characterized by under-investment in the public sector?

Answer 43

Under-investment ## Footnote This can lead to a decline in public services and infrastructure.

Question 44

What term describes the decline of industrial activity in a region or economy?

Answer 44

De-industrialization ## Footnote De-industrialization often results from trade liberalization.

Question 45

What social issue is exacerbated by labor informality and rising inequality?

Answer 45

Erosion of real wages ## Footnote Erosion of real wages leads to decreased purchasing power.

Question 46

What was a significant consequence of anti-populist military backlash?

Answer 46

Heavy-handed reversal of redistribution ## Footnote This often leads to increased social discontent and repression.

Question 47

What was the term used to describe the economic adjustments aimed at curbing inflation and spending?

Answer 47

Adjustment programs ## Footnote These programs often involve austerity measures.

Question 48

True or False: Stabilization is equated to austerity in economic contexts.

Answer 48

True ## Footnote Austerity measures are often seen as necessary for stabilization.

Question 49

What historical pattern allows the US to intervene more in Latin America after WWII?

Answer 49

US dominance and later hegemony ## Footnote This dominance facilitated increased interventionist policies.

Question 50

What is a common justification for US interventions in Latin America post-1950s?

Answer 50

Anti-communist fears ## Footnote These fears often led to interventions under the guise of preventing communism.

Question 51

Fill in the blank: The US caused or contributed to the overthrow of ______ governments.

Answer 51

41 ## Footnote This highlights the extent of US involvement in Latin American politics.

Question 52

What term describes the justification for interventions that primarily aimed at securing repayment for foreign bondholders?

Answer 52

Stability ## Footnote This often referred to maintaining favorable conditions for US investors.

Question 53

What was the focus of US interventions in the Caribbean and Central America?

Answer 53

Frequent, more open, and more militarist interventions ## Footnote These interventions were often aimed at ensuring US interests.

Question 54

What was the primary focus of US intervention in South America?

Answer 54

More indirect interventions ## Footnote This included CIA-supported coups and financial assistance.

Question 55

What is the term for the economic policies that involve radical reforms supported by state repression?

Answer 55

Shock reforms ## Footnote These reforms often led to significant social upheaval.

Question 56

What was a significant US policy initiative from 2000 to 2015 focused on internal issues?

Answer 56

Plan Colombia ## Footnote This initiative aimed to combat drug trafficking and improve security.

Question 57

True or False: The US interventions in Latin America were primarily aimed at promoting democracy.

Answer 57

False ## Footnote Interventions often prioritized US economic interests over democratic ideals.