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Chapter 28 Postwar Latin America |
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Latin America struggled through difficult decades
following World War II. A rapidly growing population demanded more than
its traditional agricultural economies could support. Political leaders
desired economic development but remained deeply divided over how to
attain it. The Cold War cast a long shadow over Latin America and
polarized politics. Many Latin Americans lost their political and civil
rights during this time. But in spite of these problems, Latin Americans
remained loyal to their native lands and hopeful for the future.
Chronology
At the end of World War II, an optimistic mood settled on Latin America.
All Latin American nations (with the exception of Argentina, which
remained neutral until 1945) had declared themselves on the side of the
United States during the war. This placed Latin America with the victors
and Latin Americans rightly felt proud of the Allied triumph.
Mexico and Brazil had even more reason to rejoice: both had sent troops to
fight in the war. Brazilian soldiers participated in the campaign in
Africa and in the invasion of Italy. Mexican soldiers fought in the
Philippines. Well trained, competent, and effective, the Mexican and
Brazilian troops distinguished themselves alongside of the British and the
Americans. They returned home
heroes to cities in celebration. As the troopship steamed into the harbor
of Rio de Janeiro, “the cannons of the old fortresses fired salute upon
salute; hundreds of boats escorted the troopship toward its moorings while
the great bells of Rio's many churches pealed and crowds gathered in the
streets.”[1]
During the war, Latin America's exports boomed. So high was the
demand for Argentina's exports of corn, wheat, beef, and wool that the
country paid off its foreign debt. Brazilian exports of textiles, rice,
timber, and rubber soared to meet world demand. Mexico provided U.S.
munitions factories with crucial raw materials, such as lead, zinc,
copper, and mercury, while hemp and cotton found ready markets. After the
war, large Latin American countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina
thought themselves to be on the verge of a period of growth that would
lead to prosperity. Argentina was already one of the richest countries in
the world. When Evita Perón, wife of dictator Juan Perón, toured war
ravaged Europe, her elaborate and elegant gowns starkly contrasted with
the bombed out European cities. Europe seemed defeated and finished;
Argentina wealthy and victorious. Yet the dreams of prosperity proved to
be an illusion. The four decades after the war were difficult ones in
Latin America. Its nations did not seem to grow and to prosper as everyone
had hoped. |