Contextualization

Dictatorship is an authoritarian political regime exercised by one person or a group of people, characterized by absolute power, restriction of individual freedom, censorship, use of violence to maintain power, among others. In Latin America, such regime proliferated during the 20th century, specifically in the decades of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Several countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, among others, suffered from the marks left by dictatorship. These periods were marked by repression, political censorship, human rights violations, economic advances and setbacks that changed the political, social, and economic configuration of Latin America.

Introduction

In this project, we will explore the theme of dictatorships in Latin America, focusing on comparing the characteristics of these regimes, analyzing the changes and continuities associated with the process of globalization, considering the adopted economic policies, and analyzing the transformations in local and global political relations generated by the development of digital information and communication technologies.

The dictatorships that occurred in Latin America have many similarities, a result of the influence of the global context of the Cold War. However, each country has its peculiarities and distinct impacts on its society and economy, which will be discussed in the project's development.

Although it is a dark period in the history of Latin America, the study of these regimes is essential for us to understand our past and present, to perceive how historical processes affect the current configuration of Latin American countries, and how these events have shaped our societies and cultures.

Practical Activity

Title: Exploring Dictatorships in Latin America: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to allow students to better understand the period of dictatorships in Latin America, analyzing their characteristics, impacts, motivations, global influences, as well as the connections with the present. This project also emphasizes research, teamwork, time management, critical analysis, and communication skills.

Detailed Activity Description

1. Group Formation: Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members.

2. Selection of Countries: Each group will be responsible for selecting one of the countries in Latin America that went through periods of dictatorship during the 20th century. It is recommended to choose a distinct country for each group.

3. Research: Each group must conduct extensive research on the dictatorship of the chosen country. The research should address the following questions: What were the circumstances that led to the rise of a dictatorial regime? What were the main characteristics of the dictatorship? What were the impacts on the economy, society, and politics, both at the local and global levels?

4. Comparison: Groups should compare the characteristics of the dictatorial regimes of the chosen countries, with special attention to political censorship, oppression, and the use of force, as well as to economic and social reforms and their impacts.

5. Presentation: Each group will prepare a detailed presentation on the findings of their research. The presentation should incorporate images, texts, graphics, and other forms of media to create a comprehensive and interesting understanding of the topic.

6. Report: Students will prepare a formal document in the form of a report that includes the following topics:

   • Introduction: Should contextualize the theme, highlight its relevance and real-world application, and define the project's objective.
   • Development: Should elucidate the theory behind the theme, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.
   • Conclusion: Should summarize the main points, explain the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the project.
   • Bibliography: Should indicate the sources used for the research, allowing others to review and expand on their findings.

7. Discussion: After the presentations, a discussion period should be held so that students can compare and contrast their findings, as well as discuss the similarities and differences between dictatorships in Latin America.

Necessary Materials

• Internet access for research
• Computers or laptops
• Presentation materials (e.g., PPT, posters, videos, etc.)
• Material for writing the report

Schedule

It is estimated that this project will take more than 12 hours for each participating student, divided as follows:

• Group formation and country selection: 1 hour
• Research and data collection: 5 hours
• Preparation of the presentation: 3 hours
• Report writing: 3 hours

Project Deliverables

Each group must deliver:

1. A detailed presentation on the dictatorship of the chosen country
2. A formal report following the suggested format

These final products will be evaluated based on the quality of the research, the depth of the analysis, the effectiveness of the presentation (clarity, organization, use of different forms of media, etc.), and the effectiveness of written communication in the report.