“The Great Depression was a significant challenge to democracy.” Discuss with reference to one Latin American country between 1929 and 1939.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of factors indicating whether the Great Depression was a significant challenge to democracy in one Latin American country. They should demonstrate a clear understanding of the actions taken to end the Great Depression and evaluate whether those actions adversely affected democracy. Conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence. Candidates may argue that the Great Depression contributed to economic instability and rising levels of unemployment that in turn led to social unrest. In many countries in the region this unrest led to political repression, which included the banning of trade unions and the persecution of some political parties of the left. Candidates may argue that the Great Depression contributed to greater social inequality thus threatening the egalitarian concepts of democracy. The Great Depression led many people to look for solutions to their social and economic grievances to political parties of the far left and far right, as well as the military. All sides posed challenges to democracy.