Harvest of Empire Exam 1 Study Guide

Questions and Answers

How did U.S. occupation of Puerto Rico contribute to identity confusion for Puerto Ricans?

Puerto Ricans did not learn about their roots and instead studied U.S. history, leading to a disconnect from their own culture.

Why was a military presence established on Puerto Rican land during the Cold War?

The U.S. feared communist expansion during World War II and set up military posts in Puerto Rico.

Which of the following policies can be implemented to create a more equal society for Latinos? (Select all that apply)

Recognize Spanish as a language equal to English (correct)

Increase military presence in Latin America

End the predatory dual labor market in cheap Mexican labor (correct)

Reinvest in U.S. cities and public schools (correct)

Puerto Rican residents benefit equally from federal programs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the general understanding of the author's structure of the book regarding Roots?

A crash course of Latin American and U.S. history. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author's structure of the book indicate about Branches?

The diaspora (or spreading) of Latinos. Signup and view all the answers

What topics does the Harvest section of the book cover?

A myriad of topics concerning Latinos in America today, including politics, immigration, language, and culture. Signup and view all the answers

How did European colonization affect the Native American population?

Indians succumbed to diseases (smallpox, measles, tuberculosis, and bubonic plague). Deaths were a result of massacres and enslavement. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Church's role in Spanish colonies?

A unified effort for religious expansion where both Crown and Church worked together to convert natives. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Church act as in the Spanish colonies?

A powerful and wealthy monopoly. Signup and view all the answers

How did racial dynamics differ between English and Spanish colonies regarding the Church?

In Spanish colonies, racial mixing was valued; in English colonies, interracial marriage was taboo. Signup and view all the answers

Which Native American tribe influenced the Founding Fathers?

The Iroquois. Signup and view all the answers

What was the U.S. stance on the independence wars in Latin America during the 19th century?

The U.S. chose to remain neutral, fearing land speculation and emancipation fervor. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Monroe Doctrine state?

The American continents were not to be considered for future colonization by European powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is Manifest Destiny?

The widespread view that U.S. expansion to the west was God-ordained. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the U.S. have in Batista's rise to power?

The U.S. encouraged Batista to overthrow the Grau government. Signup and view all the answers

How did the U.S. influence Trujillo's rise to power?

The U.S. oversaw economic affairs and appointed Trujillo to maintain stability. Signup and view all the answers

What led to Garcia's rise to power?

The U.S. feared competition with the Panama Canal and supported his rise. Signup and view all the answers

How did the civil rights movement influence Puerto Rican identity?

It inspired a new sense of Puerto Rican identity and power. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Mexican-held land titles after the Mexican-American War?

The Treaty of Guadalupe initially protected land titles, but many lost lands due to a one-sided legal system. Signup and view all the answers

What were the impacts of the Great Depression on Mexicans and Mexican Americans?

The government elected to deport 500,000 - 2,000,000 Mexicans, stirring anti-Mexican sentiment. Signup and view all the answers

What assistance did the U.S. offer to Cuban refugees during Castro's reign?

Government assistance programs including Medicaid, food stamps, and scholarships. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Lyndon Johnson intervene when Juan Bosch was elected?

U.S. feared a 'Castro-style Revolution' due to Bosch's land reform policies. Signup and view all the answers

What was Jacobo Arbenz's Decree 900 program?

A land reform program aimed at distributing land to the landless. Signup and view all the answers

What were the experiences of black West Indians in the Canal Zone?

They were primarily used for construction as they spoke English and were believed to withstand tropical heat. Signup and view all the answers

Which political periods are discussed in Chapter 10? (Select all that apply)

Third Force Period (1995-Present) Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Integration Period?

Veteran activists helped give voice to Latinos and create organizations for political participation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the Radical Nationalist Period?

Radical organizations sought change through protests and boycotts rather than traditional electoral methods. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Voting Rights Period?

A focus on gaining proportional political power through voter registration and alliances with African Americans. Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of the Rainbow Period?

To unite disenfranchised groups into a coalition advocating for inclusivity in American politics. Signup and view all the answers

What were the challenges faced during the Third Force Period?

Restrictive immigration laws and the struggle for citizenship and political representation were prominent issues. Signup and view all the answers

What are some myths about Hispanic immigration? (Select all that apply)

Latino immigrants take jobs away from U.S. citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Garcia v Gloor court case about?

It involved an employer who fired an employee for speaking Spanish, which the court ruled was not discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes English immersion programs from transitional bilingual programs?

English immersion programs focus solely on English instruction, while transitional programs use the native language first. Signup and view all the answers

What is NAFTA?

The North American Free Trade Agreement, a free trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Why was free trade more desirable in Mexico than in Puerto Rico?

U.S. enterprises moved to avoid labor laws in Puerto Rico, establishing factories in other Latin American countries. Signup and view all the answers

What hardships did Puerto Ricans face due to their island's status?

Higher prices for imported goods and limited trade relations as a U.S. territory. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Book Structure

Roots: Overview of Latin American and U.S. history, creating a foundational understanding of context.
Branches: Discusses the Latino diaspora and the dispersion of Latino communities across the U.S.
Harvest: Covers contemporary issues faced by Latinos in America, including politics, immigration, language, and culture.

European Colonization Impact

Native American populations greatly reduced due to diseases such as smallpox and measles.
Massacres and enslavement contributed significantly to population decline.

Church's Role in Colonies (Spanish)

Unified effort between Crown and Church for religious expansion and conversion of natives.
The Church held a monopoly on resources produced by natives, amassing wealth and power.
Racial mixing was accepted, with the Church promoting inter-racial marriages.

Church's Role in Colonies (English)

Limited interaction with natives and viewed conversion as not worth the effort.
No monopoly; religious diversity allowed due to the Toleration Act, leading to various sects.
Interracial marriage was considered taboo, reinforcing racial divisions.

Political Influence of Native Tribes

The Iroquois Confederacy's political structure inspired the Founding Fathers, emphasizing checks and balances and individual rights.

U.S. Stance on Latin American Independence

The U.S. remained neutral during Latin American independence wars to maintain good relations with Spain for land speculation.
Southern planters feared the spread of emancipation fervor in the U.S.

Monroe Doctrine

Declared American continents were off-limits for future colonization by European powers, allowing U.S. influence in Latin America.

Manifest Destiny

The belief in the divine right of the U.S. to expand westward, justified by national prosperity and technological advancement.

Rise of Latin American Leaders

Batista was supported by Washington for his pro-U.S. stance against Grau.
Trujillo was appointed by U.S. oversight in the Dominican Republic to maintain stability.
Garcia was installed following U.S. intervention to counter competition over the Panama Canal.

Civil Rights Movement Impact

The 1950s civil rights movement encouraged Puerto Ricans to assert their identity and political power, moving beyond a black-and-white racial perspective.

Mexican Land Title Issues

Post-Mexican-American War, land rights for Mexicans in U.S. territories were undermined as courts favored squatters, resulting in significant land loss.

Great Depression and Mexicans

The U.S. government deported hundreds of thousands of Mexicans, exacerbating anti-Mexican sentiment during economic hardship.

Cuban Refugee Assistance

The U.S. provided extensive support to Cuban refugees, including healthcare and educational programs.

U.S. Intervention in the Dominican Republic

Johnson intervened against elected leader Juan Bosch due to fears of socialist reforms affecting U.S. interests.

Decree 900 in Guatemala

Arbenz's land reform program aimed to redistribute land from the United Fruit Company to underserved populations, resulting in U.S.-backed overthrow due to concerns over U.S. business interests.

West Indian Labor in Panama Canal

Black West Indian migrants were employed due to language skills and perceived resilience to tropical climate and diseases.

Political Periods in Latino History

Integration Period (1950-1964)
Radical Nationalist Period (1965-1974)
Voting Rights Period (1975-1984)
Rainbow Period (1985-1994)
Third Force Period (1995-Present)

Integration Period Highlights

Veteran activists mobilized Latino voters, leading to significant political engagement and legislative progress.

Radical Nationalist Period Challenges

Established organizations faced criticism for being too accommodating to the status quo; new groups emerged advocating for more aggressive social change.

Voting Rights Period Focus

Latinos sought proportional power within the political system, working with African Americans to address common issues.

Rainbow Period Objectives

Aimed to unite marginalized groups to increase political inclusivity; internal conflicts arose between black and Hispanic leaders.

Third Force Period Developments

Strict immigration laws emerged, reshaping immigrant rights; remittances became vital economic support for Latin American refugees.

Myths vs. Realities of Immigration

Latin American immigrants are often seen as welfare seekers; in reality, they work actively, contribute to taxes, and do not significantly drain public resources.

Garcia v Gloor Court Case

Legal case regarding discrimination after an employee was fired for speaking Spanish at work; court ruled no discrimination occurred.

Bilingual Education Approaches

English immersion programs focus solely on English; transitional programs use native languages to aid learning.

NAFTA Overview

North American Free Trade Agreement aimed to eliminate tariffs between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, expected to boost jobs and reduce immigration.

Economic Hardships in Puerto Rico

Residents face higher costs and trade restrictions due to U.S. territorial status; federal program disparities impact local welfare.

Identity Confusion in Puerto Rico

U.S. occupation limited knowledge of Puerto Rican history, while cultural expressions like literature and music persist as sources of identity.

Military Presence in Puerto Rico

Established during WWII to prevent communist expansion, reinforcing U.S. strategic interests in the Caribbean.

Policies for Latino Equality

Addressing labor market inequalities and improving U.S. worker rights could reduce migration pressures from Mexico.### Ending Colonial Status of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico should be given the opportunity to vote on its political status, with the obligation for U.S. authorities to respect the outcome.

Recognizing Spanish Language

Spanish should be recognized as equal to English in the United States.
Embracing bilingualism fosters empathy and promotes multicultural education, enhancing understanding across racial lines.

Reinvesting in U.S. Cities and Public Schools

There is significant disparity in educational quality between urban and suburban schools.
Focus on equitable education for urban students is essential for upward mobility and job acquisition.
African Americans and Latinos represent the majority demographics within urban school systems.

Ending U.S. Militarism in Latin America

The U.S. has historically engaged in militarism in Latin America, including direct intervention and support for paramilitary forces.
There is a call for the U.S. to renounce all forms of militaristic practices in the region to foster better relationships.

Ending the Economic Blockade on Cuba

The trade blockade against Cuba should be lifted to normalize bilateral relations.
Ending the blockade is expected to improve economic conditions in Cuba.
A dual citizenship standard has created resentment among Latinos towards Cuban immigrants benefiting from preferential treatment and citizenship pathways.

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Prepare for Exam 1 with this study guide focused on the key concepts from 'Harvest of Empire'. The flashcards cover essential topics such as the history of Latin America and the influence of Latinos in the U.S. This resource helps make sense of the author's structure and themes.