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Latin America

ICSE · Class 12 · History

Quick revision notes for Latin America — ICSE Class 12 History. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

70 questions44 flashcards5 concepts

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Key Topics to Revise

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1. Latin America: Region and Early Problems

  • Latin America consists of South America, Central America including Mexico, and Caribbean islands such as Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola, which is divided into Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
  • Brazil gained independence from Portugal, while most other Latin American states gained independence from Spain, in the early nineteenth century.
  • Most countries shared weak industrial and agricultural development, poverty, illiteracy, and unstable political systems.
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2. US Domination and Cold War Intervention

  • After the Second World War, the USA exercised huge economic, political and military influence across Latin America.
  • The USA feared communist expansion in the Western hemisphere and repeatedly intervened against governments it considered suspect.
  • US interventions to remove suspect governments took place in Guatemala (1954), Cuba (1962), Brazil (1964), the Dominican Republic (1965), Chile (1970-3), Nicaragua from 1979, Panama (1989), and Haiti
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3. Brazil: From Vargas to Rousseff

  • Brazil's political and economic history shows the shift from military control to civilian democracy and then to left-wing reform.
  • Getulio Vargas replaced the conservative landowner government in 1930 and encouraged industry.
  • Vargas acted as a dictator from 1937, was forced to resign in 1945, was re-elected in 1950, and committed suicide in 1954 amid corruption accusations.
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4. Venezuela: From Oil Wealth to Chávez

  • Venezuela was wealthy because of oil, but until 1945 most profits went to foreign companies or a small domestic elite.
  • Rómulo Betancourt introduced reforms, raised Venezuela's share of oil revenues to 60%, and tried to widen civil rights.
  • In 1976 President Carlos Andrés Pérez nationalized part of the oil industry and created PdVSA.

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Key Concepts

Latin America includes South AmericaThe USA used economic aidNeoMany reforming governments were overthrown byHeavy borrowing from foreign banks created

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Latin America for ICSE Class 12 History?
Latin America covers several key topics that are frequently asked in ICSE Class 12 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in Latin America — ICSE Class 12 History?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 70 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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