Contextualization

The History of Latin America and its relations with the United States of America is a widely discussed topic in different fields of study, from politics to economics, through sociology and history. Understanding it is fundamental to comprehend the current realities of Latin American countries and the nature of international relations in the American continent.

Theoretical Introduction

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States emerged as a global power and developed the Monroe Doctrine policy, which aimed to distance European colonialism from the American continent and place the United States as guardians of the Western Hemisphere. This policy has profound impacts throughout Latin America, influencing independence processes, the formation of nations, and their relations with the United States and the rest of the world.

However, the relationship between the United States and Latin America is not limited to a game of power and influence. The history of these regions is also deeply intertwined through migration, economy, culture, and many other aspects. For example, the construction of the national identity of many Latin American countries is marked by resistance to U.S. policies, just as the history of the United States cannot be understood without considering the Latin American influence on its economy, population, and culture.

Relevance of the Theme

Understanding these complex relations allows for a better appreciation of the current reality of Latin America and its international relations. At the same time, it highlights the importance of the historical perspective for understanding contemporaneity. This project aims to stimulate critical reflection on these issues, using the study of history as a means to understand and analyze current realities.

Students are encouraged to delve deeper into this theme, exploring different available resources. Academic articles, documentaries, podcasts, and books can provide a more comprehensive and detailed view of the history and relations between the USA and Latin America. Some reliable resources to delve into the topic are:

• Brazil School
• Encyclopaedia Britannica Channel in Portuguese
• FAPESP Virtual Library

Each group should conduct comprehensive research, using these and other reliable resources to support their work, while stimulating a broad discussion on the topic.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "USA and Latin America: a journey through history"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the history and relations between the United States and Latin America. Students will research, analyze, and discuss the main moments and aspects of this history, from the independence of Latin American countries to the present.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group will be tasked with studying a specific aspect of the relations between the USA and Latin America. For example, one group may focus on the Monroe Doctrine and its impact on Latin America, while another group may focus on the role of the USA in Latin American military dictatorships. Another group may explore the impact of U.S. immigration policy on Latin America.

Each group will have to produce a "Historical Documentary," which can be a slide presentation, a video, or a theater piece, where students will narrate, explain, and discuss the topic they researched.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research
• Materials for documentary production (depending on the chosen format: video editing software, slide presentation software, camera, costumes, set, etc.)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Group Formation: each group should consist of 3 to 5 students.

2. Topic Selection: each group will choose a topic to investigate. The teacher must approve the chosen topics to ensure there is no repetition and that all important aspects are covered.

3. Research: each group will conduct research, using online and offline resources, to deepen their knowledge on the chosen topic.

4. Documentary Planning: each group must plan how to present their findings. This includes selecting the most important information, organizing this information in a clear and engaging way, and choosing the documentary format (slide presentation, video, theater piece, etc.).

5. Documentary Production: students will create the documentary, putting into practice the planning done.

6. Presentation: each group will present their documentary to the class. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the topics presented and answer questions from their peers.

7. Report: after the presentation, each group must write a detailed report on the project.

Project Deliverables

The project will have two main deliverables:

1. The Historical Documentary: this is the main project deliverable and should demonstrate the group's in-depth understanding of the chosen topic. The documentary should be a clear, informative, and engaging presentation of the research topic.

2. Project Report: after the documentary presentation, each group must prepare a detailed project report. The report should include:

   a) Introduction: a brief explanation of the chosen topic and its relevance.

   b) Development: a detailed description of the research conducted, including the resources used, the methodology followed, and the main results. This section should also include a description of the documentary production, explaining the decisions made and the challenges faced.

   c) Conclusions: a summary of the main findings of the project and a reflection on the acquired learning.

   d) Bibliography: the list of references used in the research.

The Project Report must be submitted one week after the documentary presentation.