Nationalism, Gender, and Cold War Pt I (Guatemala Ushers in the Cold War)”

After having seen and taken notes on all of our lectures, films (see these early, all links & resources in
Canvas) and read our chapters Chasteen’s ch. 8, 9 and 10 through p. 302, and articles on these two
topics (all in Canvas Modules Weeks 10, 11 and some of 12) write a two-part essay in which you
address the following:
PART I. Nationalism, Populism & Gender Relations: Write a well-developed essay in which you
analyze ONE of the following primary sources or discussed the scholarly contributions of one of
the following scholarly articles: (make sure you’ve read them all. All are in Canvas, bottom module)
From Wood and Alexander (Problems…):
*pp. 169-173 “Plan for the Realization of Bolívar’s Supreme Dream” by Augusto César Sandino
(primary source)
*(pp. 173-175 “The Shark and the Sardines” by Juan José Arévalo (primary source)
*pp. 176-180 “Carmen Miranda and Brasilidade” by Darién J. Davis (scholarly article, see film clips!)
*pp. 192-194 “The First Lady’s Peronist Feminism” by Eva Perón (primary source)
*Primary Source in Canvas: “The Poetry of Anti-Imperialism” by Pablo Neruda
(Length: two paragraphs for this part)
PART II. Cold War Pt I: Combatting Communism with “Friendly” Dictators- Guatemala
Ushers in the Cold War for Latin America): Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze
ONE of the following primary sources or discuss the contributions of one of the following
articles: (make sure you’ve read them all)
*From Chasteen: section “Countercurrents: Liberation Theology” at end of ch. 9 “Revolution” (you
can use this section as one of your choices to discuss for this part of your essay)
* “Documents Reveal CIA Guatemala Assassination Plots” (LA Times newspaper article, quotes from
the original primary source)
*“CIA Licensed to Kill” by David Wise (LA Times newspaper article, quotes from the original
primary source)
*“Clinton Gives Apology for U.S. Role in Guatemala” (LA Times news
paper article, quotes from the original primary source)
*“Guatemalan Bishop Who Detailed Abuses is Killed” (LA Times newspaper article, quotes from the
original primary source)
*“Death Squad Diary” by Kate Doyle (primary source with scholarly interpretation in intro & margins)
*“Former Leader of Guatemala is Guilty of Genocide Against Mayan Group” (NYT article 2013)
*“Blowback” by Chalmers Johnson (LA Times newspaper article)
(Length: one to two paragraphs for this part)
Address the following for the primary source you’re analyzing or the article you’re discussing:
a) Tell us all about the document that you’re discussing. Is it a primary source (eyewitness
account), or a secondary source (newspaper article, scholarly interpretation)? If yours is a primary
source, tell us: who wrote it? to whom? when? why? what was its purpose? If it is a scholarly
account or a newspaper article, discuss all of its contributions of this article to our understanding
of this topic and time period (give us specific examples).
History 115 Dr. Carlos Alberto Contreras
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b) Provide historical context from our lectures, films, our articles (including Wood and
Alexander’s “Social Revolution,” & “Cold War” and my articles “The U.S. and Latin America…” &
“The Monroe Doctrine”) and Chasteen’s chapters. Tell us the history behind the primary source or
document- what is going on globally and in the region at the time this primary source is produced? If it
is a newspaper article or scholarly account, discuss the historical context that your article deals with.
c) Analyze the primary source and/or discuss the specific contributions your scholarly
essay or newspaper article make to our understanding of the transformations this hemisphere
undergoes in the 20th Century.
LENGTH: The total length of your essay should be three to four well-developed and wellsupported paragraphs (with examples).
Write your essay in a word processing program so you can always have a copy. After you’ve
proofread it and spell-checked it (this is formal writing- please no “text-ese” and capitalize when
appropriate), select all of your text, “copy” it, then click “create thread” in the appropriate
Discussion Board forum, paste your essay in there, and click “submit”. (Use a 12 pt font).
Discussion Forums do not accept attachments so that everyone can read each other’s essays seamlessly
without downloading files.
RESPONSE ESSAY: You are also required to respond to at least one other student’s original
essay during the same time period. You can amplify on a point made, raise a related point, discuss
the issue in relation to other documents, agree or disagree with supporting evidence, and/or raise
new informed questions that we should all think about. Length of response essay: at least one
thoughtful, well-developed, and well-supported paragraph. Be aware of the due date for that as
well. To reply to a classmates ’posting, click “reply” to that posting.
DUE: See due date that came with this announcement (also posted in Canvas). Stop by office
hours, I can help!
GRADING Rubric for Essays, Discussion Posts and ExamsYour discussion postings, papers and exams will be graded on how well you achieve the following.
Remember, this is formal writing.
90-100 A range. Provides a solid argument with deep historical background and strong connections to
readings and films. References readings – quotes or paraphrasing- with citations. Shows thorough
understanding of concepts in question. Shows deep analysis of topic. Shows complexity and critical
thinking.
80-89 B range. Provides a coherent argument with historical background and connections.
References some readings and films and shows a good understanding of the concepts in question.
70-79 C range. Student’s basic effort. Restates topic with little context and analysis. Need to go
beyond summary and make connections to the rest of your readings. Need to reference readings and
show more complexity.
60-69 D range. Need for improvement. See the points above. Please see me, I can help!
59 and below: F. Needs to re-read the material in question. Please see me, I can help!