1. A Brief History of Costa Rica
Human habitation can be traced back more than 10,000 years but it appears Costa Rica was sparsely
populated and a relative backwater in the pre–Columbian era. There is little sign of major
communities and none of the impressive stone architecture that characterized the more advanced
civilizations of Mesoamerica to the north and the Andes to the south. When Columbus arrived near
Lim¢¢n on September 18, 1502 on his third and last voyage to the Americas, there were probably no
more than 20,000 indigenous inhabitants They lived in several autonomous tribes, all with distinct
cultures and customs. Costa Rica 's only major archaeological site is at Guayabo, 30 miles east of
San Jos‚‚, where an ancient city, dating back to 1000 B.C. and though to ... Show more content on
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Figueres became head of the Founding Junta of the Second Republic of Costa Rica. He consolidated
the reforms introduced by Calder¢¢n and introduced many of his own: He banned the Communist
Party, gave women the vote and granted full citizenship to blacks, abolished the armed forces,
established a term limit for presidents and nationalized the banks and insurance companies. He also
founded the Partido de Liberacion Nacional. (The PLN won last year 's presidential election behind
Don Pepe 's son, now President Jose Mar¡¡a Figueres Olsen. Don Pepe died in 1990 a national hero,
his deeds having set the scene for the social and economic progress that would earn Costa Rica the
reputation as a peaceful and stable island of democracy in one of the world 's most politically
unstable, and often war–torn regions. When civil war broke out in neighboring Nicaragua, Costa
Rica was drawn reluctantly into the conflict, its northern zone being used as a base first for
Sandinista and later for "contra" forces. In 1986, a young lawyer called Oscar Arias Sanchez was
elected president on the platform of peace. Arias ' tireless efforts to promote peace in the region
were rewarded when the five Central American presidents signed his peace plan in Guatemala City
in 1987, an achievement that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. Information supplied by the Green
Arrow Guide Costa Rican People It is almost impossible to describe a people
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2.
3. Civil War Research
In my research I hope to explore the range of resources that will allow me to answer my questions.
Some of the sources needed would include: oral histories and personal narratives from key
participates like Jose Figueres (Don Peep), Henrietta Boggs, Manuel Mora, Caldron and more. I
believe the oral histories will allow me to interpret the ideologies each person shared before and
during the Civil War. Other documents that I believe will have a vital influence on my history are
documents from the United States Government. The C.I.A has multiple documents that were
produced in the years leading up to and during the Costa Rican Civil War. I believe these documents
will allow me to explore the role the United States played. Finally I also hope ... Show more content
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As for secondary sources I intended on referring to a variety of different sources, some of which will
look at other nations and how they developed during the cold war era. This will help me access in
what ways Costa Rica was unique. Continuing reviewing secondary sources I hope to review how
the role of neo–imperialism affected the recourses to the civil war itself and if the United States
played any major role after the Figueres left office. I also believe that the secondary sources I use
will allow me to place the narrative of Costa Rica's civil war in historical context compared to other
nations around this era. I hope to briefly compare Costa Rica's civil war with that of other nations.
When writing the paper itself I intend on breaking the paper up into different sections following a
chronological order. I intend on exploring what occurred that lead Costa Rica to move to a Civil
War. I then want to explore the Civil War itself and what Jose Figueres and the other rebels were
fighting for. This section will focus on ideologies of the Civil War. Then I wish to explore why
Costa Rica did not turn into dictatorship, in this section I which to explore in what ways Costa Rica
was different than so many other nations during the Cold War. Table of Contents:
Introduction: o In this section I intend discussing the historiography of the Costa Rican Civil War,
discuss the methods that I have utilized while
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4.
5. Costa Rica And Realism : Is There A Major Flaw Within...
Costa Rica & Realism
Is There a Major Flaw Within Realism?
According to realism, we live in a world of anarchy oftentimes shaped by conflict, driven by self–
protection, and characterized by a decisive lack of trust; and yet, counter intuitively there are several
countries, some in high conflict areas, which do not have armed forces. How and why do these
countries succeed and does this create a flaw within the schema of realism?
Some countries such as Costa Rica, Haiti, and Granada underwent demilitarization; others such as
Samoa were formed without militaries (World Factbook 1). Why has the rest of the world not taken
advantage of something that according to realism should be considered a weakness? Items such as
internal costs and external agreements (or in Japan's case compliance) with other countries are cited
as reasons for not having a military. Furthermore, most military less countries have some form of
protection–orientated alliances or agreements that seemingly function as their defense instead of a
military.
Yet, alliances and agreements are based on trust, which is an idea realism states the world
intrinsically lacks. These countries do not simply trust others with trade agreements; their
independent existence is at stake. And so far, they seem to have their independence. The puzzle is
why does this work? In order to explore this question, I will focus on the demilitarization of one
specific country, Costa Rica, how the decision was implemented, why they made
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6.
7. History And Culture Of The Hispanic World Essay
COSTA RICA History and Culture of the Hispanic World I. La Conquista a. Initial Years of the
Conquista in Costa Rica Like many of countries in Central America, the arrival of Christopher
Columbus in Puerto Limon was met with troubles. However, the Ticos (as they are known)
welcomed them with open arms and exchanged gifts with Europeans who passed through the area.
Europeans were always given gold, coining the name "the rich cost." Many natives fled areas
penetrated by European settlements due to diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis. Unlike other
places that were "discovered", Europeans could not get the locals to work for them. So, Europeans
were left to scratch out new farms themselves. After 1821's independence of Guatemala, Costa Rica
held elections for a new government the same year. (Shields). Once the new government had started,
it put people to work by building road ways, schools, and encouraged businesses to start. Costa Rica
never really rebelled against the Spaniards, but followed the lead of Guatemala. b. Colonial System
In 1564, Juan Vasquez de Coronado founded the first permanent European settlement, Cartgao (been
there!). (Morrison). Cartago is a city based mostly out of agriculture. Farming is a huge part of
Cartago, and Costa Rica's success. Driving through the streets of Cartago is like finding hundreds of
carts and shops with various produce, fruits, and vegetables. Costa Rica is known as the Switzerland
of Central America. (Shields). While the
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8.
9. The Politics Of Latin America
Latin America is a continent that is constantly struggling between governmental abuse and
oppression of its citizens. In Latin America, it is very common for non –democratic systems to be
enforced. During recent years, the continent has experienced a governmental shift from an absolute
to a more democratic system. This era is called the democratic third wave, which brought about
democratic like tendencies to Latin America. Many factors such as corruption, poverty, and
inequality pushed the people to favor this new democratic system. The abuse of power is also very
common, and the citizen's unrest is highly noted. Most citizens are in favor of doing away with the
old system of government, and establishing a new efficient political system. ... Show more content
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The analysis utilizes a comparison analysis of the three countries Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
There are countries such as Costa Rica who are labeled the forefront of democracy in Latin
American while Bolivia and Ecuador are seen as politically struggling countries. Democracy was a
new visionary force that was gaining the attention of many in Latin America due to it fair political
tendencies. However, it did not consolidate everywhere in Latin America, as we see with the
countries of Bolivia and Ecuador. Only a few countries have remained democratically stable, and
others constantly go back and forth between the multiple government systems. With the constant
uproar for democracy battling with its opposition, it has made it fairly hard to consolidate
throughout Latin America.
Racial inequality plays a key role in achieving the consolidation of democracy, due to its constant
dependency of a class hierarchy. Since the beginning of Latin American history, those who
controlled power were considered the elitist class. The elites had the resources and financial stability
to hold places of power, and ultimately controlling all around them. In the colonial period of Latin
America, the Encomienda and Hacienda systems displayed the different classes and rights each one
had in a new light. The encomienda was a system where the royal crown of Spain granted charters
of land
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10.
11. Costa Rica Essay
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a Central American republic located north of Panama and possessing two seacoasts
(Pacific–west, Caribbean east). The capital and largest city, San Jose, is located in the central
mountain valley. Costa Rica is notable among many Latin American countries for its long–standing
democratic form of government. Costa Rica is well known for their hydroelectric plants and
agricultural goods.
I. Government:
1) Capital: San Jose
2) Country: Costa Rica
3) There are presidential elections every 4 years.
4) Costa Rica has a Democratic Republic.
a. The president of the Republic of Costa Rica is Miguel Angel Rodriguez. Which is part of the
Christian Unity Party
b. Costa Rica is constantly ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
a. It's expected to double in the next few years
3) There are really only one chief language there:
a. Spanish
b. English is spoken in few of Costa Rica's provinces.
4) The main religion in Costa Rica is Christianity, 95%, but there is a small percentage of other
religions like Jewish, and Muslim.
5) After the revolution in Costa Rica in 1948, the island has become a tourist attraction and has
gotten many more cultures brought to its lands. The percentage of Costa Ricans in Costa Rica is
over 70%, but many people from the other South American countries have imported there for a
better life and education.
IV. Customs and Practices
1) There holidays are much like America's holidays:
a. They have a Christmas and New Year holiday
b. Another important holiday in Costa Rica is Semana Sante or Holy Week.
c. There national holiday is Independence Day, September 15, 1821
d. Festivals of saints are a colorful part of town life.
2) If the persons that are to be wed are Catholic the ceremonies are much like Catholic marriage
ceremonies in the US. But on many occasions they are on the beach and have more of a colorful and
fun ceremony instead of the traditional black and white wedding ceremonies.
12. 3) Popular instruments are
a. the guitar,
b. accordion,
c. and mandolin.
V. Livelihood
1) Costa Rica's chief source of revenue is (they make 1.1
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