Abstract This paper looks at the world of the Toltecs, focusing on how they were shaped and how they helped to shape a larger Meso-American cultural grouping that shared a number of salient cultural features. The author also makes particular mention of Toltecs impact on the Aztecs.
From the paper:
"The rise of the Toltec civilization did however mark a distinct turn in some sense because after the rise of the organized Toltec empire the peoples and rulers of this region of Mexico would be more deeply and more consistently marked by a militaristic orientation than those people (culturally related as they were) that preceded them, as Bernal argues".
A discussion of American imperialistic ventures in the late 1800's, specifically the Spanish American War, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, explaining why intervention was justified.
Abstract The paper discusses many primary sources of the day and their opinions on what America was doing at the time, including the debate between isolationism and the belief in intervention. The paper quotes many opinions backing both sides and shows why one side was right.
From the Paper From the outset of the United States? independence from Britain, it had abided by a foreign policy of no foreign policy. This isolationist policy was stressed by George Washington, the nation's first president. It was not until the late 19th century that the United States took an active role in international politics, intervening between Spain and Cuba. This intervention led to the Spanish American War, and the US gaining additional territories from Spain. The issue of whether the US had the right to control Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines was a topic of great debate among the politicians of the day. The vast public opinion favored the United State's intervention and expansion, as it was clearly the reasonable approach.
Abstract The paper shows how Chile's climate and geography are perfect for growing grapes for wine. It studies laws governing wine marketing and the different types of wine produced. Benefits to Chile's economy are also covered.
From the Paper "The Chilean climate is very beneficial to winemaking. The Phylloxera root louse, which will devastate a harvest, is not a problem in Chile. Experts believe Chile is a sanitary island bordered by the desert, which is the driest on the earth, the mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and Antarctica to the south. The dry fall and spring weather in Chile's main wine growing region also prevents mildew, which can be a problem in other well-known wine regions, such as California."
This paper outlines the concept of modernization in Latin America, using the work of Garcia Marquez? "One Hundred Years of Solitude" as an example of a modernist movement.
Abstract The following paper discusses the way in which Cancilini and Marquez both merely opened up the ideas of modernization in the midst of dark culture of the Latinos to make them realize that it is not about urbanization or industrialization. According to the author modernism or modernization is dependent on the ability of a nation to become receptive to liberal ideas, weigh the consequences and learn to appreciate their roots to integrate it in their futures.
From the Paper ?Cancilini summarizes modernization as ?we have had an exuberant modernism with deficient modernization. We have already seen this position in the citations from Paz and Cabrujas. It also circulates in other essays and in historical and sociological studies. Given the fact that we were colonized by the most backward European nations, subjected to the Counter Reformation and other antimodern movements, only with independence could be begin to bring our countries up to date. From then there have been waves of modernization.? Unless Latinos realize that liberalism is not only essential for their modernization, they will not be receptive of modernism. The world may have advanced manifolds in liberalizing its nations but the Latinos are still struggling to accept their status. One of the main causes as outlined by Cancilni is the fact that despite their constitutional freedom, the nations were still experiencing the vagaries of hundred years of imprisonment by the Europeans.?
An analysis of the major causes of the decline in the Argentinean economy, focusing on the fixed exchange rate system of the country which seems to be the major cause of the problem, forming unrealistic expectations.
Abstract The following paper examines the economic strategies adopted by the past Argentinian governments and the loop holes in their economic plans that led to such an economic disaster. This essay also examines the impact of the fixed exchange rate strategy adopted by the government of Argentina over the past few years.The writer uses some quantitative approaches to analyze the economic slowdown in Argentina and how it has affected the market conditions and what impact it has made on the standard of livings of a common man.
From the Paper "Due to the unrealistic economic policies and unwise decisions made by the government, the Argentinean economy is going through the worst times of its history. The general public is holding the government responsible for the worsening economic crises that have led to high rate of unemployment and decline in trade activities. The current economic crises are believed to be the worst economic decline since the economic crisis of the 1980s. The credit ratings agencies and several other economic forecasters have warned that Argentina is currently facing a threat of getting defaulted on its $132bn of debt. Due to the economic slowdown and the political unrest, created by the economic crisis, it is much likely that the government of Argentina will not be able to arrange the short term repayments for its debts."
This paper reviews ?Farming of the Bones,? by Edwidge Danticat, presenting a literary analysis discussing one of the elements in the novel as it relates to theme.
Abstract An analysis of this novel with the backdrop of the Haitian massacres that took place in 1937 in the Dominican Republic. It provides a personal description of the author and links her experiences to the plot in the novel. The paper focuses on the main character of the story and how she tries to find some sense, logic or explanation which she witnessed during the massacre period.
From the Paper "The author, Edwidge Danticat, grew up in Haiti. Her mother had to leave her and her brother behind when Danticat was four, so she could join her husband in the U.S. She could not join her parents until she was twelve, and when she first came to the country, she could not speak any English. Her books relate many of her own experiences, as well as the people of her native country. "Farming of the Bones" is her second book."
Tags: haiti, dominican, republic, race, massacre, slaughter, novel, book, story
Abstract The author feels that major issues in U.S. Latin American policy are the economy and human rights. The paper explores these issues in detail and explains why they are critical. To protect the economic interests in this region, the author believes that policies should be created that would encourage Latin America's financial independence.
From the Paper "The economic conditions in Latin America are critical to U.S. interest in the region because the U.S. has provided billions of dollars, this includes military aid, to Latin America over the past ten years. Much of this has been provided because of the instability of the economies in that region. Ensuring that these economies gain some stability would benefit not only the U.S. economy but also the World economy."
Abstract This paper presents the story of three women who were instrumental to Latin American history. The writer explores the contributions of Eva Peron, Sarah Chamberlain Eccleston and Violeta Barrios to illustrate the importance of females in the historical context of the Latin American political arena.
From the Paper "Another very influential women in the world of Latin American history was Violeta Barrios. Violeta married a prominent Nicaraguan journalist named Pedro Chamorro. He was not only a journalist in the year 1950 when they met he was also acting editor of the La Prensa paper. Because of his political beliefs and his refusal to stop using the paper as a lobbying platform he was jailed many times and spent time in prison as well."
Abstract This paper presents a discussion about the forty-year old Cuban Trade Embargo. The writer details the reasons the United States cannot eliminate the embargo and provides a foundation of understanding as to why this is the best move at this point in history. It shows that lifting the embargo would allow Castro to demonstrate to the world that the U.S .embargo tactics only worked if the recipients allowed them to work.
From the Paper "Critics have argued that the embargo does not force or appear to make Cuba comply while it does in fact make life difficult for the Cuban residents. Those who want the embargo lifted believe it is making a bad situation worse for those who live there. The detractors of the embargo also site the fact that the United States still has relations with other nations that have political prisoners and prevent elections and free speech. Those nations include Saudi Arabia and China among others."
Abstract A summary of Diego Rivera's work and style, followed by an interview with the artist himself. The painter answers questions regarding his shifts in style, mural art in Mexican history, his atheism and his inspirations. It is apparent how his paintings emphasize the power of art as a medium to bring about social reforms.
From the Paper "Diego Rivera was one of the leading artists of the 20th century. He was born in 1886 in Leon, Guanajuato. He had an inherent talent for painting (arts), which was evident when he started to draw even as he was just 3 years old. He went on to become one of Mexico's leading painters. In the early part of his career he was a traditional artist but later on, he was influenced by Cezanne and the Cubist approach to paintings. This is clearly reflected in his works such Zapatista Landscape, Woman at the well, etc. However it was Picasso who made a great influence upon him and Diego produced many of his works predominantly reflecting Cubical style, which gives more freedom for the artist. His artwork "Sailor at lunch" is typical of Cubism."
An in-depth look at the country considered a success story for achieving a relatively high standard of living while remaining a largely agricultural society.
3,725 words (approx. 14.9 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 102.95
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of Costa Rica. Beginning with a demographic overview, it continues on to examine the economy, dependent on tourism, agriculture and electronic exports. Standard of living, transportation, government, immigration, labor, and urbanization are also considered in this analysis.
From the Paper "The Republic of Costa Rica in Central America lies between Nicaragua and Panama and has the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean on its borders. Its total area is 51,100 square kilometers where 50,660 square kilometers are land. It is considered a success story for achieving a relatively high standard of living within the last two decades, although remaining a largely agricultural society. (The CIA World Factbook 2001)
This year, Costa Rica's population is estimated to be only 3,834,934 at an average yearly natural increase of only 1.6%; a birth rate of 19.8 per thousand and an infant mortality rate of 10.9 per thousand. Its population density is 194 per square mile and net migration rate is .53 per thousand, as of 2001 (The Learning Network 2002) San Jose is its capital."
Abstract This paper examines the philosophical, intellectual, and poetic nature of Tupac Shakur's and Bob Marley's work, as well as the political and social influence of their music. The paper describes each artist's background and illustrates how Marley's music expressed the social unrest and the spiritualism of Jamaica, while Shakur's music expressed the social issues and emotions of ghetto life in the United States.
From the Paper "Music is one of the oldest art forms. Every culture has used music to not only create mood and celebration, but to relate and express feelings and ideas. Most of us can easily strike images of laborers singing while they worked, tribes beating drums before a hunt or battle, bugles sounding as soldiers charge in attack, and love-sick poets declaring their ardor. Music has also been used as an expression of spiritualism, as well as personal ideals. In recent history, beginning in the mid-1960?s, music became a voice and spokesman for many to express political views, especially concerning the United States involvement in Vietnam. Folk and rock musicians wrote music and songs protesting the war and politics of the time."
From the Paper "This research paper analyzes at different levels the origins, management and resolution, and consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. A careful study of all the material on that crisis which is now available suggests that no single level of analysis is adequate to explain the crisis. The thesis of this paper is: (1) while the immediate cause of the crisis was the Soviet decision to deploy secretly in Cuba medium range and intermediate range ballistic missiles (MRBMs and IRBMs, respectively), which produced a dangerous confrontation between the world's nuclear superpowers, misconceptions, misunderstandings and mistakes by both sides helped bring about the crisis and magnified its intensity; (2) although responsible statesmanship on both sides enabled them eventually to resolve..."
Reviews the history of Cuba since the Castro-led revolution. Examines the goals & achievements of Castro's government, as well as the failures. Analyzes Cuba's prospects for the post-Castro future.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 8 sources, 1996, $ 79.95
From the Paper "Despite the original promise of the Revolution, the failure of Cuba's leadership to respond effectively to a poor economy, failing social programs and the collapse and repudiation of communism in other parts of the world makes future success unlikely. A terrible economic crisis, the constant reminders of Fidel Castro's age and mortality, serious indications that many of the revolution's goals are as far away from being accomplished as they were in 1958, and the rising disillusionment and cynicism of the Cuban people all indicate that the country's socialist revolution--the most thorough and radical in twentieth-century Latin America--is failing.
The political and economic life of early twentieth-century Cuba was dependent on a powerful planter class and on foreign support, thus creating a lopsided society of privileges. For almost 25 years, a shrewd army sergeant, Fulgencio Batista y Zaldi..."
From the Paper "The Mexican Mafia, or La EME (the Spanish phonetic for the letter M), is one of the oldest gangs in the United States, originating in 1957 when several east Los Angeles inmates from the barrio formed the "gang of gangs." Once a protection group for gang members, the Mafia expanded to include extortion, gambling and homosexual prostitution. As a result, many of the drug-dealing Chicano gang members wind up in prison, where the barrio economy becomes a prison economy: it turns on a sophisticated matrix of barter activity. This paper will focus exclusively on the Mexican Mafia and will use statistics where available. As with any illegal organization, few are willing to talk; even fewer are willing to give names. However, the Mafia is run not unlike any legal, nationwide corporation with constitutions, recruiting, marketing, personnel hierarchies and
