Download Latin America Key Terms

Latin America­ Key Terms Cash Crop Economy Economy based on the raising and selling of one crop or a small number of crops Caudillo Military dictator in Latin America Columbian exchange Global exchange of people, plants, animals, ideas, and technology that began in the late 1400s Conquistadors 16th­century Spanish conquerors of Mexico and South America
Deforestation The planned destruction of rain forest areas by bulldozing and fire in order to provide roads, grazing land, and farm land Encomienda system A system of forced labor used by settlers in South America with the approval of the Spanish government Imperialism Domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region [Spanish and Portuguese control of Latin America] Llanos Large, fertile plains in northern South America Mercantilism The policy of building a nation's wealth by exporting more goods than it imports. Colonies are instrumental in this policy as they supply their parent nations with raw materials that are used to produce finished goods, and then exported back to the colonies.
Missionary Person dedicated to spreading a religion [in Latin America­ Catholicism] Monroe Doctrine Issued in 1823 by the U.S., this warned European nations not to intervene in the Americas NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) An economic treaty between Canada, the United States, and Mexico to lower tariffs and create a free trade environment. Nationalism A feeling of pride in and devotion to one’s country Organization of American States (O.A.S.) An organization of nations in the western hemisphere including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina; established in 1948 for the purpose of promoting peaceful economic and political cooperation.
Pampas Vast savannah or grassland in South America, especially Argentina, used for farming and cattle ranching