HL option 3: Aspects of the history of the Americas
History of the Americas 2 completes the study of major developments in the region from around 1880-2000 - - independence movements; the challenges of nation-building; the emergence of the Americas in global affairs; the Great Depression; the Second World War and the Cold War, and their impact on the region, as well as the transition into the 21st century.
Within each section political, economic and social issues are considered and, when relevant, cultural aspects are included. The countries of the Americas form a region of great diversity but close historical links.
Within the sections there will be, where appropriate, a case study approach in which students will have the opportunity to study their own or another national history of the region.
Only people and events named in the guide will be named in the examination questions.
In some bullets, suitable examples are shown in brackets. These examples will not be named in the examination questions as any appropriate examples can be used.
Three sections must be selected for in-depth study. (*)
This section focuses on modernization in the region, and its impact on foreign policy. It explores the involvement of the nations in the First World War. Modernization shaped the new nations and its effects created the basis for a major shift in the foreign policies of the region. By the end of the century, for example, the United States played a more active role in world affairs and in the affairs of Latin America in particular, thus transforming inter-American relations. When the First World War broke out in Europe, several American countries were involved in the conflict. When the war ended, its impact was felt in the economic, social and foreign policies of the participating countries.
· United States’ expansionist foreign policies: political, economic, social and ideological reasons
· Spanish–American War: causes and effects (1898)
· United States’ foreign policies: the Big Stick; Dollar Diplomacy; Moral Diplomacy; applications and impact on the region
· United States and the First World War: from neutrality to involvement; reasons for US entry into the First World War; Wilson's peace ideals and the struggle for ratification of the Versailles Treaty in the United States; significance of the war for the United States’hemispheric status
· Involvement and participation of either Canada or one Latin American country in the First World War: reasons for and/or against participation; nature of participation
· Impact of the First World War on two countries of the Americas: economic, political, social, and foreign policies
The Great Depression and the Americas 1929 – 39*
This section focuses on the nature of the Depression as well as the different solutions adopted by governments in the region and the impact on these societies. The Great Depression produced the most serious economic collapse in the history of the Americas. It affected every country in the region and brought about the need to rethink economic and political systems. The alternatives that were offered and the adaptations that took place marked a watershed in political and economic development in many countries in the region.
With respect to the last two bullets, a case study approach should be adopted, using one country from the region as an example. The chosen country should be identified in the introduction to the examination answers.
· The Great Depression: political and economic causes in the Americas
· Nature and efficacy of solutions in the United States: Hoover; Franklin D Roosevelt and the New Deal; critics of the New Deal
· Canada: Mackenzie King and RB Bennett
· Latin America’s responses to the Depression: either G Vargas or the Concordancia in Argentina; Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) or any relevant case study of a Latin American country
· Impact of the Great Depression on society: African Americans, women, minorities
· The Great Depression and the arts: photography, the movie industry, the radio, literary currents
The Second World War and the Americas 1933 ‑ 45 (*)
As the world order deteriorated in the late 1930s, resulting in the outbreak of war in Europe, the countries of the region reacted in different ways to the challenges presented. This section focuses on the changing policies of the countries in the region as a result of growing political and diplomatic tensions preceding and during the Second World War. It also examines the impact of the war upon the Americas.
· Hemispheric reactions to the events in Europe: inter-American diplomacy; cooperation and neutrality; Franklin D Roosevelt’s Good Neighbour policy, its application and effects
· The diplomatic and/or military role of two countries in the Second World War
· Social impact of the Second World War on: African Americans, Native Americans, women and minorities; conscription
· Treatment of Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians
· Reaction to the Holocaust in the Americas
· Impact of technological developments and the beginning of the atomic age
· Economic and diplomatic effects of the Second World War in one country of the Americas
9. Political developments in the Americas after the Second World War 1945 ‑ 79 (*)
This section focuses on domestic concerns and political developments after 1945. The majority of states in the Americas experienced social, economic and political changes and challenges. Political responses to these forces varied from country to country: from the continuation of democracy to multi-class “populist” alliances to outright conflict, revolution and the establishment of authoritarian regimes in the 1960s and 1970s. Areas of study include: conditions for the rise to power of new leaders; economic and social policies; treatment of minorities.
Note: Vargas and Cárdenas came to power before 1945 but their rule and influence in their respective states continued after 1945.
· United States: domestic policies of Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy
· Johnson and “the Great Society”; Nixon’s domestic reforms
· Canada: domestic policies from Diefenbaker to Clark and Trudeau (both were prime ministers in 1979)
· Causes and effects of the Silent (or Quiet) Revolution
· Populist leaders in Latin America: rise to power; characteristics of populist regimes; social, economic and political policies; the treatment of opposition; successes and failures (suitable examples could be Perón, Vargas or any relevant Latin American leader)
· The Cuban Revolution: political, social, economic causes; impact on the region
· Rule of Fidel Castro: political, economic, social and cultural policies; treatment of minorities; successes and failures
· Military regimes in Latin America: rationale for intervention; challenges; policies; successes and failures
10. The Cold War and the Americas 1945 ‑ 1981 (*)
This section focuses on the development and impact of the Cold War on the region. Most of the second half of the 20th century was dominated by the global conflict of the Cold War. Within the Americas, some countries were closely allied to the United States and some took sides reluctantly. Many remained neutral or sought to avoid involvement in Cold War struggles. A few, influenced by the Cuban Revolution, instituted socialist governments. No nation, however, escaped the pressures of the Cold War, which had a significant impact on the domestic and foreign policies of the countries of the region.
· Truman: containment and its implications for the Americas; the rise of McCarthyism and its effects on domestic and foreign policies of the United States; the Cold War and its impact on society and culture
· Korean War and the United States and the Americas: reasons for participation; military developments; diplomatic and political outcomes
· Eisenhower and Dulles: New Look and its application; characteristics and reasons for the policy; repercussions for the region
· United States’ involvement in Vietnam: the reasons for, and nature of, the involvement at different stages; domestic effects and the end of the war
· United States’ foreign policies from Kennedy to Carter: the characteristics of, and reasons for, policies; implications for the region: Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress; Nixon’s covert operations and Chile; Carter’s quest for human rights and the Panama Canal Treaty
· Cold War in either Canada or one Latin American country: reasons for foreign and domestic policies and their implementation
11. Civil rights and social movements in the Americas
This section focuses on the origins, nature, challenges and achievements of civil rights movements after 1945. Movements represented the attempts to achieve equality for groups that were not recognized or accepted as full members of society. The groups challenged established authority and entrenched attitudes.
· Native Americans and civil rights: Latin America, the United States and Canada
· African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement: origins, tactics and organizations; the US Supreme court and legal challenges to segregation in education; ending of the segregation in the South (1955‑65)
· Role of Dr Martin Luther King in the Civil Rights Movement; the rise of radical African American activism (1965‑8): Black Panthers; Black Muslims; Black Power and Malcolm X
· Role of governments in civil rights movements in the Americas
· Youth culture and protests of the 1960s and 1970s: characteristics and manifestation of a counterculture
· Feminist movements in the Americas
12. Introduction to the 21st century—from the 1980s to 2000
This section focuses on changing trends in foreign and domestic policies in the Americas during the transition to the 21st century. The latter decades of the 20th century also witnessed significant political, social, cultural, economic and technological changes in the region.
With respect to the last four bullets points, a case study approach should be adopted, using one country of the region. The chosen country should be identified in the introduction to the examination answers.
· The United States, from bipolar to unilateral power: domestic and foreign policies of presidents such as Reagan, Bush, Clinton; challenges; effects on the United States; impact upon the hemisphere
· Restoration of democracy in Latin America: political, social and economic challenges (suitable examples could be Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay)
· Globalization and its effects: social, political and economic
· Revolution in technology: social, political and economic impact such as the role of the media and the Internet
· Popular culture: new manifestations and trends in literature, films, music and entertainment
· New concerns: threats to the environment; health