México Política exterior 2

Summary

The video delves into Mexico's foreign policy post-World War II, focusing on its stance during the Cold War. It highlights the division of the world into capitalist and socialist blocs, with the U.S. seeking dominance in Latin America. Despite U.S. opposition, Cuba, led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, embraced socialism. Mexico supported Cuba's revolution, adhering to the Estrada Doctrine of non-interference. The script also explores the Bracero Program, the migration of Mexicans to the U.S., and the challenges faced by undocumented workers. Mexico's balanced approach amidst global tensions and its commitment to peace, such as the Tlatelolco Treaty, are also emphasized.

Takeaways

• 😀 The division of the world into two blocks after World War II: the capitalist and socialist blocs, each seeking to expand their influence globally.
• 😀 The United States initially believed Latin America would be easily controlled, but Cuba's socialist revolution defied their expectations.
• 😀 The Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in the 1950s was supported by the USSR, despite efforts by the U.S. to eliminate socialism in Cuba.
• 😀 Mexico, under the Estrada Doctrine, supported Cuba's right to self-determination, offering economic and moral support despite U.S. opposition.
• 😀 The U.S. supported military dictatorships in Latin America, such as Pinochet in Chile, as a countermeasure to socialist movements.
• 😀 Countries that were neutral or did not align with either the capitalist or socialist blocs were referred to as non-aligned countries, with Mexico playing a leading role in this movement.
• 😀 Mexico proposed the Tlatelolco Treaty in the 1960s, aiming for a nuclear-free Latin America and promoting non-aggression policies.
• 😀 The U.S. largely ignored international treaties like Tlatelolco, prioritizing their own interests over global peace agreements.
• 😀 Mexican migration to the U.S. increased significantly after World War II, driven by economic opportunities, particularly through the Bracero Program.
• 😀 By 2000, the Mexican population in the U.S. had reached around 31 million, with remittances from these workers providing crucial financial support to Mexican families.
• 😀 Despite the exploitation and mistreatment of Mexican workers in the U.S., they remain vital to the American economy, performing low-wage, difficult jobs with few legal protections.

Q & A

What were the two major economic and political blocs after World War II?

After World War II, the world became divided into two major blocs: the capitalist bloc, led by the United States, and the socialist bloc, led by the Soviet Union. Both blocs sought to expand their influence globally.

How did the U.S. perceive Latin America in the context of the Cold War?

The United States initially believed that Latin America would be easily controlled and dominated. They aimed to influence the region through the Organization of American States (OAS) and other means, but this perception was challenged by revolutionary movements like the Cuban Revolution.

What was Mexico's stance during the Cuban Revolution?

Mexico maintained a neutral and balanced position during the Cuban Revolution. It supported Cuba's right to self-determination, according to the Estrada Doctrine, which emphasized non-intervention in the internal affairs of other nations.

What is the Estrada Doctrine, and how did it influence Mexico's foreign policy?

The Estrada Doctrine, created by Mexican diplomat Genaro Estrada, argued that every country has the right to choose its own form of government. Mexico used this principle to support Cuba's socialist revolution, even against U.S. opposition.

What was the Treaty of Tlatelolco, and how did it reflect Mexico's stance on nuclear weapons?

The Treaty of Tlatelolco, proposed by Mexico in the 1960s, was a regional agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in Latin America. Mexico became the first country to advocate for a nuclear-free region, and most Latin American countries agreed to the treaty.

How did the U.S. react to the rise of socialism in Latin America?

The U.S. reacted by trying to suppress socialism through economic and political pressure, supporting anti-socialist dictatorships, such as the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in Chile, which led to widespread human rights abuses.

What was the Bracero Program, and how did it affect Mexican workers in the U.S.?

The Bracero Program was a labor agreement between Mexico and the U.S., allowing Mexican workers to legally work in the U.S. for temporary periods. It was established after World War II to address labor shortages in the U.S. The program provided opportunities for Mexicans but often resulted in exploitation and poor working conditions.

What impact did the Bracero Program have on the number of Mexicans in the U.S.?

The Bracero Program significantly increased the number of Mexicans working in the U.S., leading to a growing Mexican presence, especially in agriculture and manual labor. By the year 2000, there were nearly 31 million people of Mexican origin in the U.S.

How did the U.S. public view Mexican workers by the 1960s?

By the 1960s, many in the U.S. began to view Mexican workers negatively, associating them with crime and cultural degradation. Despite this, the U.S. still relied heavily on Mexican labor for low-wage, difficult jobs, while denying them the rights and benefits of full legal workers.

What is the current situation of Mexican immigrants in the U.S.?

Many Mexican immigrants in the U.S. are undocumented, often referred to as 'undocumented workers.' They face exploitation, lack of legal protections, and the constant threat of deportation. However, their labor is crucial to many sectors of the U.S. economy, particularly agriculture and construction.