Contextualization

The influence of the United States on Latin America is a complex and multifaceted theme that is fundamental to understanding the regional political, economic, and cultural dynamics. Although Latin America is a mosaic of nations with their own identities, histories, and international relations, it is undeniable that the impact of the 'giant of the north' permeates many aspects of the continent.

The United States emerged as a global power after World War II, and since then, its influence has spread globally. Latin America, being geographically close and with many historical ties, has been particularly affected by this influence. It is a relationship that involves not only politics and economics but also culture, inspiring debates about cultural homogenization, the spread of consumerism, and the impact of North American 'pop' culture.

Latin America is a region rich in natural resources, which has historically been coveted by more powerful nations. The United States has played an important role in the region since the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, which established the American continent as an exclusively American sphere of influence. However, the relationship between the US and Latin America is marked by tensions and conflicts, including military interventions, political manipulation, and economic exploitation.

This project aims to analyze the influence of the US on Latin America from a geopolitical, economic, and cultural perspective. The goal is to explore how this influence was built, how it manifests, and what consequences it has for Latin American countries.

To deepen your knowledge on the topic, we recommend the following sources of information:

• Books:
  • 'Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent' by Eduardo Galeano.
  • 'The United States and Latin America: A History with Documents' by Jeffrey F. Taffet and Dustin Walcher.
• Websites:
  • BBC Brazil - News section about Latin America.
  • El País Brazil - News section about Latin America.
• Documentaries:
  • 'Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America', directed by Peter Getzels and Eduardo López.
  • 'Oliver Stone's South of the Border', directed by Oliver Stone.

Always remember to critically evaluate all the information you receive, analyzing the sources and understanding the authors' perspectives.

Practical Activity

Project Title: 'US Influences in Latin America - An Interactive Analysis'

Project Objective:

This project aims to provide students with a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of US influence in Latin America through guided research and the presentation of an interactive virtual panel.

Detailed Project Description:

Teams of 3 to 5 students should start by conducting in-depth research on the various ways US influence manifests in Latin America. Each team will focus on three main areas: politics, economy, and culture.

After the research is done, students should create an interactive virtual panel that graphically represents the connections and influences found. This panel should feature visual elements such as infographics, maps, images, and short videos, as well as interactive elements like links to external resources and explanatory notes.

The project will conclude with a live presentation of the panel by the team to the rest of the class, where they will explain their findings and answer questions.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research.
• Tools for creating interactive virtual panels, such as Padlet or Google Slides.
• Instruments for recording videos (cell phones, cameras, etc.) if students decide to include videos in their panels.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Research Stage (1-2 hours): Students should research the influence of the US on Latin America. Each team should divide the research topics among its members, ensuring that all three focus areas (politics, economy, and culture) are being addressed.

2. Creation of the Virtual Panel Stage (1-2 hours): After the research, students should design and create an interactive virtual panel that represents the information they gathered. This panel should be visually engaging and interactive, featuring elements like images, infographics, maps, and links to external resources.

3. Presentation Stage (30 minutes - 1 hour): Finally, students should present their panel to the rest of the class. They should explain the information on their panel, discuss their findings, and answer any questions.

As part of their deliverables, each team should prepare a written report containing the following topics:

• Introduction: Contextualization of the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.
• Development: Theory behind the central theme of the project, explanation of activities in detail, methodology used, and results obtained.
• Conclusion: Recap of the main points, lessons learned, and conclusions about the project.
• Bibliography: Indication of the sources used to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

This report should be submitted along with the interactive virtual panel and will be an integral part of the project evaluation.