Name:
Latin America Government & Economy
Date:
1. What is a basic way citizens of a democratic nation can influence the government?
vote
2. All citizens participate equally in which type of government?
democracy
3. Cuba does not permit freedom of choice in elections and only the Communist Party is
permitted. Cuba has a dictatorship in which power is held by one central authority. What type of
government would Cuba be classified as?
unitary
4. The government of Brazil has a national government and 26 state governments, each with
some reserved powers and shared powers. What type of government would Brazil be classified
as? federal
5. How many political parties does Cuba have? 1
6. Mexico has a president who is elected by the people. The powers of the central government
are restricted and regional authorities retain a degree of self-government. Ultimate power rests
with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Which of the following terms
BEST describes Mexico’s form of government today? Federation
7. Who is the dictator of Cuba that is now working with President Obama to restore diplomatic
relations between Cuba and the United States? Raul Castro
8. What type of govt. and economy does Cuba have? Communist/Command
9. Who is the head of Mexico’s government? President
10. Who is required to vote in Brazil? 18-70 year olds
11. How did Cuba’s leader get his power? Took over after overthrowing previous (Batista)
government
12. Who does Cuba NOT trade with? United States
13. Why does Cuba have a struggling economy? After the fall of the Soviet Union, largest
trading partner
14. What kind of economies do Mexico and Brazil have? Are they growing or struggling?
Mixed/growing
15. What is Cuba’s most important product? sugar
16. Which describes the economic system in Mexico?
c. Individuals and corporations own most of the businesses in the country
17. What is one problem that Cuba faces in using a command economy?
d. factories and businesses must close down from time to time because the workers
produce too many goods
18. A market economy is very different from a command economy. Which of the following is
found in a market economy?
a. Competition
Use the picture below to answer questions 19 and 20.
Command
Cuba
Market
Venezuela
Brazil
Canada
19. An economy that is a blend between a command economy and a market economy is said to
be a: mixed
20. Which country in the diagram has the economic system closest to a pure market economy?
Canada
21. Why did the U.S. put an embargo on trade with Cuba? Weapons for Soviet Union
______22.Canada and Mexico are SIMILAR in that lowering trade barriers between these two
nations has resulted in both nations experiencing
a. Growth in their economies.
23.The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was designed to promote free trade
between the United States,_Canada______________, and ____Mexico____________
24. What is the purpose of free trade partnerships like the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Canada, and Mexico? Increase trade by getting
rid of tariffs
25.Which Latin American country has the lowest GDP? Cuba
26. Which country has the highest GDP in Latin America? Brazil