“We, the mothers of the disappeared, demand to know the whereabouts of our children who have been taken from their homes by state security forces. We appeal to international bodies to investigate these violations of basic human dignity. Our silent marches in the public square are a call for justice, truth, and the restoration of fundamental rights that have been systematically stripped away by the military government.”
—Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, petition to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, 1979
The actions of the organization described in the passage most directly reflect which of the following twentieth-century developments?
- AThe direct military coordination between the United States and the Soviet Union to overthrow Latin American dictatorships
- BThe resistance of local populations against direct European colonial administration and formal imperial rule
- The rise of grassroots movements challenging authoritarian state power to protect human rightsAnswer
- DThe complete homogenization of global political cultures through the elimination of localized resistance
Answer
The rise of grassroots movements challenging authoritarian state power to protect human rights
The correct answer is correct because the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo is a primary historical example of a grassroots movement that formed in response to state-sponsored violence and human rights abuses under Argentina's military dictatorship (1976–1983). Their mobilization reflects the broader global trend in the late twentieth century where individuals and non-governmental organizations increasingly challenged state authority to protect civil liberties and demand political reforms.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
During the late twentieth century, grassroots movements and non-governmental organizations increasingly mobilized to challenge authoritarian regimes and demand protections for human rights and political reforms.
Estimated Time:1m 30s