Changes

===B. Latin America ===

===B. Latin America ===

In connection with the “Third World”<ref>Today the term “developing world” is preferred by some to the term of “Third World.”  Traditionally, the “First World” was the highly industrialized capitalistic societies of Europe, Japan, and the United States, and the “Second World” was the less developed nations under communism.</ref> of Latin America, Africa and many parts of Asia, the Cold War became a battle for influence over the system of government adopted by any and every small country.  It seemed like there were only two choices:  communist or free (capitalist).  Both the United States and Soviet Union would compete with each other to provide to developing nations aid, military advisers, social workers (e.g., the Peace Corps from the United States), educational programs and technology.

In connection with the “Third World”<ref>Today the term “developing world” is preferred by some to the term of “Third World.”  Traditionally, the “First World” was the highly industrialized capitalistic societies of Europe, Japan, and the United States, and the “Second World” was the less developed nations under communism.</ref> of Latin America, Africa, and many parts of Asia, the Cold War became a battle for influence over the system of government adopted by any and every small country.  It seemed like there were only two choices:  communist or free (capitalist).  Both the United States and Soviet Union would compete with each other to provide to developing nations aid, military advisers, social workers (e.g., the Peace Corps from the United States), educational programs and technology.

This drama has been playing out in Latin America ever since World War II, and remains an issue even now.  In the 1950s, the United States supported Fulgencio Batista as dictator of Cuba, but Fidel Castro overthrew him in 1959.  Liberals in the United States promoted Castro as a hero, and he was welcomed to talk at American colleges.  But just as conservatives predicted, Castro became a ruthless communist dictator who brutally suppressed all opposition and ended free speech and free enterprise on the island of Cuba.  Castro seized private industries, such as the thriving sugar refineries, and predictably the economy collapsed.  Cuba fell from being one of the most prosperous nations to one of the poorest.  Today most Cubans cannot even afford to own an automobile.

This drama has been playing out in Latin America ever since World War II, and remains an issue even now.  In the 1950s, the United States supported Fulgencio Batista as dictator of Cuba, but Fidel Castro overthrew him in 1959.  Liberals in the United States promoted Castro as a hero, and he was welcomed to talk at American colleges.  But just as conservatives predicted, Castro became a ruthless communist dictator who brutally suppressed all opposition and ended free speech and free enterprise on the island of Cuba.  Castro seized private industries, such as the thriving sugar refineries, and predictably the economy collapsed.  Cuba fell from being one of the most prosperous nations to one of the poorest.  Today most Cubans cannot even afford to own an automobile.

The poverty in many countries in Latin America may help explain why communism is more popular there.  In Nicaragua, one of the poorest nations in Latin America, 46% of the population lived on less than $386 in income for the entire year of 2001.  Not only is a job hard to find, but electricity and drinking water are not always available either.  

The poverty in many countries in Latin America may help explain why communism is more popular there.  In Nicaragua, one of the poorest nations in Latin America, 46% of the population lived on less than $386 in income for the entire year of 2001.  Not only is a job hard to find, but electricity and drinking water are not always available either.  

Poverty alone cannot explain the popularity of communism. In oil-rich Venezuela, the people reelected the communist Hugo Chavez in December 2006, and he is exporting communism to other nations there.  Young and intimidating, Chavez is described as a Castro with money.  In April 2009, he and President Barack Obama shook hands with enthusiasm for the cameras.

Poverty alone cannot explain the popularity of communism. In oil-rich Venezuela, the people reelected the communist Hugo Chavez in December 2006, and he is exporting communism to other nations there.  Young and intimidating, Chavez is described as 'Castro with money.' In April 2009, he and President Barack Obama shook hands with enthusiasm for the cameras.

=== C. Middle East (Southwest Asia) ===

=== C. Middle East (Southwest Asia) ===