Context

The United States of America (USA) exerts a great influence in the world, and it is no different in Latin America. Through its foreign policy, investments, culture, technology production, among other aspects, the country has a strong presence in the political, economic, and sociocultural life of Latin countries, playing a decisive role in shaping their national identities and international relations. This project will explore the various ways in which the US has influenced Latin America, outlining a comprehensive and critical view of the impact of this relationship.

The US and Latin America share a long history of complex interactions. Since the 19th century, with the Monroe Doctrine which stated "America for the Americans", through the Cold War period and its military interventions, to the present day with trade agreements and immigration policies, the ties between the US and Latin America are immense and often controversial. Latin America, in turn, has been not only a field of US influence and intervention, but also an important trading partner, a source of culture, and a scenario in which the US has sought to exercise political and moral leadership.

History and geography have placed the United States and the countries of Latin America in a proximity that has been permeated by tensions, cooperation, antagonisms, and asymmetric power relations. To understand this relationship, it is necessary to think in terms of politics, economy, culture, and migration. All this will help to understand how Latin America has been shaped by its relationship with the US, but also how it has played its own role in shaping American influence in the region.

This is an extremely relevant area of study in the contemporary world, since these relations directly influence the lives of the populations involved, shaping the economy, politics, and culture on both sides of the equation. In addition, by analyzing these relationships, students can develop a critical understanding of the operations of power in the international context and observe how decisions made in one country can have repercussions around the globe.

To broaden the understanding on the topic, delve into the suggested sources:

1. Book: "Latin America and the United States: A history between dependencies and challenges" by Luiz Alberto Moniz Bandeira.
2. Documentary: "The Shock Doctrine" available on the YouTube platform.
3. Webpage: US History
4. Webpage: Relations between the United States and Latin America

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Building the Timeline: US Influence in Latin America"

Project Goal:

The activity aims for students to create a detailed timeline that records the history of relations between the United States and Latin America. The goal is to provide a greater understanding of the main US influences in the region over time. In addition, it intends to develop research skills, information selection and analysis, as well as teamwork and communication.

Detailed Project Description:

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members and each group will be responsible for developing a timeline that portrays US influence in Latin America, addressing political, economic, and cultural aspects.

Students are expected to research different sources of information to compose the timeline, selecting the most relevant events that represent the interaction between the US and Latin American countries at various historical moments.

Required Materials:

Computer with internet access, image editing software and/or online timeline building tools, research materials (books, articles, documentaries, reliable websites).

Detailed Step-by-Step for the Activity:

1. Research: Each group should begin the activity with a comprehensive research on the US influence in Latin America throughout history. The research should include sources such as books, articles, documentaries, and reliable websites.

2. Event Selection: Based on the research, each group should select the most representative events to include in the timeline. The selected events should portray the political, economic, and cultural influence of the US in Latin America.

3. Timeline Elaboration: Using image editing software or an online timeline building tool, each group should elaborate the timeline. The timeline should be clear and visually appealing, with each event properly dated and described.

4. Report Preparation: After completing the timeline, each group should write a report describing the research process and elaboration of the timeline, in addition to presenting an analysis of the events included in the timeline.

At the end of the project, students should hand in:

1. The timeline in digital format.
2. The written report, which should have the following structure:
   • Introduction: Description of the topic, its relevance, and the project goal.
   • Development: Detailing of the methodology used, the description of the practical activity, the theoretical explanation of the US influences in Latin America, and the discussion of the results obtained.
   • Conclusion: Summary of the main points, reflection on the learning obtained, and the conclusions drawn about the project.
   • Bibliography: List of sources that were used for the project execution.

The execution of this project should demand between five to ten hours of work per student and the delivery deadline is one month from the start date.