Background: Causes of Social and Political Unrest
- From the 1960s to the 1990s, Latin America saw both violent revolutionary movements and non-violent reform movements, rooted in inequality and dictatorship.
- Many nations suffered from poverty, land concentration, corruption, and U.S.-backed authoritarian regimes during the Cold War.
- Revolutionary groups, inspired by the Cuban Revolution (1959) and Marxist ideology, sought to overthrow these governments.
- Non-violent movements, such as those led by the Catholic Church’s Liberation Theology, pushed for reform through education, protests, and advocacy.
Definition
Liberation Theology
- A Catholic movement emphasizing social justice and the defense of the poor, blending religion and activism.
Case study
Nicaragua and the Sandinista Revolution (Violent Movement)
- The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was founded in 1961 to fight against the U.S.-backed Somoza dictatorship, which had ruled Nicaragua since the 1930s.
- The Sandinistas, inspired by Marxism and nationalism, launched a guerrilla war that culminated in the overthrow of Anastasio Somoza in 1979.
- The new Sandinista government, led by Daniel Ortega, introduced land reform, literacy programs, and healthcare improvements, but faced opposition from the U.S.
- The U.S. funded the Contra rebels, leading to a brutal civil war throughout the 1980s that caused thousands of deaths.
- Peace came through elections in 1990, when the Sandinistas peacefully transferred power to Violeta Chamorro, showing a move from violent revolution to democratic politics.
Definition
Guerrilla Warfare
- Irregular fighting by small, mobile groups using surprise tactics against larger traditional forces.
El Salvador and the Civil War (1979–1992)
- Decades of land inequality and military rule led to violent resistance from leftist groups, forming the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) in 1980.
- The FMLN launched an armed insurgency against the U.S.-supported Salvadoran government, which responded with death squads and repression.
- The conflict killed over 75,000 people, many of them civilians, and drew condemnation from international human rights organizations.
- The Catholic Church played a major role in non-violent resistance : Archbishop Óscar Romero publicly condemned state violence and was assassinated in 1980 during Mass.
- The Chapultepec Peace Accords (1992) ended the war, legalized the FMLN as a political party, and began a slow process of reconciliation and reform.
Definition
Death Squads
- Armed groups, often linked to governments, that carried out extrajudicial killings to suppress opposition.
Comparison: Violent vs. Non-Violent Paths to Change
| Aspect | Nicaragua | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Movement | Violent - guerrilla warfare | Violent civil war with religious and non-violent opposition |
| Key Support Base | Peasants, students, socialists | Peasants, workers, and progressive clergy |
| U.S. Role | Funded the Contra Insurgency and the Sandinistas | Supported the Salvadoran military to fight communism |
| Outcome | Revolution succeeded, followed by democratic transition (1990) | Peace agreement (1992) ended war and brought FMLN into politics |
| Non-violent role | Limited; revolution was primarily armed | Church and human rights activists used non-violent resistance |
Common Mistake
- Assuming all revolutionary movements were Marxist. Many also had nationalist or reformist goals.
- Ignoring the non-violent role of the Church and human rights groups, especially in El Salvador.
- Overlooking how U.S. Cold War policies shaped violence and resistance in the region.
Exam technique
- Compare both methods (violent vs. non-violent) and outcomes.
- Use named leaders and events (e.g., Ortega, Romero, Chamorro) for stronger historical evidence.
- Mention regional or global context, such as U.S. intervention and Cold War influence.
Theory of Knowledge
- Ethics and Violence: Can violence ever be justified in the struggle for freedom?
- Knowledge and Memory: How do truth commissions help societies remember or heal after civil conflict?
- Religion and Politics: What happens when moral authority challenges political power?
Self review
- Compare and contrast violent and non-violent movements for change in two Latin American countries.
- Assess the role of the Catholic Church and international actors in shaping revolutionary and reform movements in Latin America.
- To what extent were violent movements in Latin America successful in achieving their goals?
