Priorities of sandinista gov’t, 1980s

2. Priorities of sandinista gov’t, 1980s • repairing destruction of war • planting sufficient food crops for pop’n • paying off nat’l debt much incurred by Somoza corruption Expropriated Somoza properties for state 40% GNP Established health clinics, schools, housing, cooperative farms w/credit for farmers

3. El Salvador, 1970s Electoral fraud & protest = violence Mothers protested disappearances of kids kidnapped, raped & tortured by military Death squads targeted reformist priests Archbishop Romero spoke against attacks on peasants murdered by military, March 1980

4. Salvadoran guerrillasFMLN: Martí Front for National Liberation united after Archbishop Romero’s assassination, 1980 target of U.S.-funded nat’l guard in El Mozote, 1981 $3 billion U.S. aid to Salvadoran gov’t, 1982-’88 Washington backed moderate reform candidates to deflect political victories by FMLN FMLN response—economic sabotage destroyed coffee economy & electrical grid 1993 Truth Commission report: 95% killings by gov’t death squads & military, vs. FMLN

5. U. S. Interventions in the Caribbean & Central America 1898-1945 5

6. Alliance for Progress (JFK, 1960s) To promote U.S.-friendly, capitalist governments Message: social revolution achievable via capitalism, too “We call for social change by free men—change in the spirit of Washington & Jefferson, of Bolivar and San Martín and Martí—not change which seeks to impose on men tyrannies which we cast out a century and a half ago. Our motto is what it has always been: progress yes, tyranny no.” (JFK to Lat Am diplomatic corps, 1961)

7. Alliance for Progress as anti-Communist effort “The evidence is clear, and the hour is late. We and our Latin friends will have to face the fact that we cannot postpone any longer the real issue of the survival of freedom in this hemisphere itself. On that issue…there can be no middle ground. Together we must build a hemisphere where freedom can flourish and where any free nation under outside attack of any kind can be assured that all of our resources stand ready to respond to any request for assistance…No greater task faces this Nation or this administration.” (JFK to Press Corps, 1961)

8. Liberation Theology, 1970s Christ-centered social protest & political engagement organized around “base communities” of scriptural interpretation Faith as guide to local & global social justice commitment Christ as humble worker (carpenter, fisherman) sign of god’s love for poor Along with religious & political consciousness raising, est’d health clinics, clean water supplies Liberal church became voice of resistance to dictatorships

9. Dom Helder, Brazilian Archbishop Outspoken critic of Brazilian military dictatorship, 1960s-70s “When I feed the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a subversive.”

10. Tlatelolco Massacre, Mexico 1968 • student movement for democratization • June: vicious police response to gang fight • University students organized in response against political complacency of PRI party • September: army occupied University City Mexico to host Olympics starting Oct. 18 • Oct. 2: 300+ protesters killed by nat’l guard & police during mass demonstration