Present day Latin America is a region unique to the cultural spectrum of the world. However, it would not be as it is if it was not for the countless revolutions and social and political uprisings that have shaped it into what we now know. Women’s roles in many of these uprisings, allowed these movements to be able to reach their full potential and manifest themselves into full blown revolutions. Nicaragua, a country in Central America, between the years 1979 through 1990, went through major shifts socially and in political governance during the Nicaraguan Revolution which women had a significant role in. Women’s involvement in this revolution reached unprecedented numbers, up to 50,000 nationwide 1 . This significant participation on the …show more content…
Although the Sandinistas did not hold their word on many of the promises that they had told the public during their campaign against the Somoza rule, the years that they were in combat and campaigning were years of major changes for women. The amount of women fighting for the FSLN cause reached an unprecedented level. There was no distinction between a woman and a man fighting because the FSLN were willing to accept and train any and all willing to fight, regardless of their sex. For this reason, there should be no doubt in one’s mind to believe that women were a major and influential part in the victory of the FSLN and the overthrowing of the Somoza reign. Nicaragua, like most Latin American countries, has been known to be a strictly patriarchal and men dominated society. Women possessed little to no rights and most, regardless of class, were illiterate. Nicaraguan women were second class citizens whose sole obligation was to procreate and manage the household affairs. The Sandinistas, however provided an opportunity for women to step out of their traditional roles and to be seen as equals in society. Women who joined were involved in many important tasks such as sheltering the guerilla soldiers, providing first aid, food and clothing, building weapons, rallyings, passing messages, and being involved in direct combat 9(1). Many women held important leadership positions and were …show more content…
All the dangers that a man faced, a women faced as well. Prejudice based on sex was uncommon but the risk of being captured by the National Guard was common. The first known woman killed for her involvement in FSLN was Luisa Amanda Espinosa 11. Although she was the first, she certainly was not the last. In an interview conducted by an American journalist with Ana Julia, a guerrillera fighting in the Sandinist People’s Army, she tells her story of working underground and how she got there. Julia was only fourteen years old when she decided to go to the mountains to become trained. Soon after moving to the mountains, she was involved in her first battle and although she recognized the great danger that surrounded her every move, she was glad that she joined. In the interview she says “Participating in the struggle has changed my life tremendously. If I had stayed at home who knows where I’d be now. I know now that I’ll devote my whole life to the Revolution. I’m prepared for anything, to go wherever they need me most. If I had stayed at home, I’m sure I wouldn’t feel this way.”12. Julia also mentions how well she was treated among the other soldiers and even after being named head of a rearguard, men and the other women put under her command carried out her orders. While many women did lose their lives for the cause, the many women who survived felt the weight of glory and satisfaction after Somoza
Models for post-revolutionary Latin American government are born of the complex economic and social realities of 17th and 18th century Europe. From the momentum of the Enlightenment came major political rebellions of the elite class against entrenched national monarchies and systems of power. Within this time period of elitist revolt and intensive political restructuring, the fundamental basis for both liberal and conservative ideology was driven deep into Latin American soil. However, as neither ideology sought to fulfill or even recognize the needs or rights of mestizo people under government rule, the initial liberal doctrine pervading Latin American nations perpetuated racism and economic exploitation, and paved the way for all-consuming, cultural wars in the centuries to come.
When focusing on Nicaragua one will need to pay close attention to the rebel group called the Sandinistas who took over Nicaragua’s previous dictator, Anastasio Somoza in 1979, in which the United States Congress decided it would be best to provide them with aid that lasted till 1981.1 Nicaragua’s geographic location made it a big concern for President Reagan based on his philosophy that surrounded the Reagan Doctrine. At that point, President Reagan ended the aid deal and adamantly advised that support be sent to those who were trying to over throw the new socialized, Sandinista leadership.2 Furthermore, the Nicaraguan’s were dealing with some of the worst warfare ever, by the mass killings that took place, which were at the mercy of death squads.3 This gruesome realization allowed President Reaga...
Linda K. Kerber accomplished a rather large task by researching and completing Women of the Republic. Aside from her lack of research of lower-class and Southern women of the Revolution, Kerber portrays an excellent amount of research and information. Her work is very well-written and articulate and would be very beneficial to anyone hoping to find information about the role women played during the American Revolution. This work does a great job presenting information about the role of Revolutionary women; it is a must read for anyone interested in the subject matter.
Rigoberta Menchu, a Quiche Indian woman native to Guatemala, is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for politically reaching out to her country and her people. In her personal testimony tittled “I, Rigoberta Menchu” we can see how she blossomed into the Nobel Prize winner she is today. Following a great deal in her father’s footsteps, Rigoberta’s mobilization work, both within and outside of Guatemala, led to negotiations between the guerillas and the government and reduced the army power within Guatemala. Her work has helped bring light to the strength of individuals and citizen organization in advocacy and policy dialogue on the world scale. In a brief summary of the book I will explore why Rigoberta Menchu is important to Guatemalan development, what she did, and how she helped her people overcome the obstacles thrown their way.
The FMLN was not the only active groups that had many female participants. Another group that was fighting for equal gender rights during the civil war in El Salvador were the CO-MADRES, whose female activists were very influential in bringing recognition to the corruption of the government
Vianica. History of the Sandinista Revolution: the union of a whole nation. January 2010. http://vianica.com/go/specials/15-sandinista-revolution-in-nicaragua.html (accessed November 2010).
Women have had it rough throughout history. Their declining position in the world started during the Neolithic revolution, into Rome, and past the Renaissance. However, at the turn of the twentieth century, women began advocating for equality no matter their governmental situation. This promotion of women's rights is evident in communist nations during the twentieth century and their fight against hundreds of years of discrimination. It can be seen that women were brainwashed into believing that their rights were equal with the male population through the use of propaganda, yet this need for liberation continued despite government inadequacy at providing these simple rights. Women in communist countries struggled for rights in the twentieth
Harris, Carol. "Women Under Fire in World War Two." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
The historian Ronn Pineo wrote “Beginning in the 1980s nearly all of Latin America began to take part in a great experiment, the adoption of capitalist free market economic policies.” (1) This great experiment began with the promotion of democracy and free market that promised a better future for Latin America. Neoliberalism, the economic ideology that promotes free-market capitalism, laid the foundation for many of the US military interventions and economic policies that caused a dramatic transformation of Latin America. This promise of a “democratic” government came from a policy initiative labeled as polyarchy. Polyarchy is “ a system in which a small group governs and mass participation in decision making is limited to choosing leaders in elections that are carefully managed by competing elites” (Lecture: Polyarchy and Resistance). It, however, was a sales pitch to continue Latin America’s subordinate position in to the global market. As a result, much of Latin America, by the late 1980 through the early 1990s, transitioned into this form of “democracy”. Consequently, Latin America suffered and still suffers today from underdevelopment, high levels of socioeconomic inequality, and immigration. Globalization of capital, off-shore production, and new technologies have created structural barriers and have
They were the grease in the gears of war, the individuals working behind the scenes so that the men would be prepared, ready to fight with functioning weapons and operational gear. Many women decided not to stay at home and, rather, accompany their husbands or male relatives with the army. They "traveled with the army to sew, nurse, and wash clothes (Volo 170)." Again, the women did the dirty work to ensure the men were always relatively ready for battle.... ... middle of paper ... ...'
Today, nothing remains of the former social role of women. Nearly all professions are open to women. The numbers of women in the government and traditionally male-dominated fields have dramatically increased. More women than men earn bachelor’s degrees. Many women's groups still prevail and are major political forces. Although the two movements hoped to achieve different things and used different tactics, they still came together to gain women’s rights and have achieved more than anyone would have ever anticipated.
The article was published on February 6, 1943 in the midst of World War II. Women had become an asset to the war effort and were then considered "At Home Soldiers" or "Riveters". They worked in the factories constructing submarines for the Navy, planes for the Air Force, and became medics.
In 1979 the Sandinista rebels overthrew the Somoza family which ruled as dictators (Source C). In 1980 part of Ronald Reagan’s campaign was to control and end the Soviet Union, these campaigns played a crucial role in Nicaragua and this was because the Soviet
They joined in the fight of the guerilla movement as well as taking on leadership roles in it. Women proved that they were a necessary force in the revolution and could accomplish any task that the men were doing. Due to the perspective that females are fragile men doubted their abilities, but the Cuban women proved them wrong. Women carried out manual tasks such as transmitting messages, supplies, and firearms. In addition, they also undertook “feminine” work throughout the revolution by cooking meals for the rebels, sewing their uniforms, and taking care of sick or wounded soldiers.
Web. The Web. The Web. 19 May 2014. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/01/09/213878/in-nicaragua-fears-of-dynastic.html>.