110 likes | 224 Views
From Empire through Independence. Simon Bolivar. Forging Colonies and Independent States in the New World, 1492-1910. Spanish Empire. Incorporated indigenous people into a European-dominated political and economic system. Exploitation of indigenous people Mestizaje
E N D
From Empire through Independence Simon Bolivar Forging Colonies and Independent States in the New World, 1492-1910
Spanish Empire • Incorporated indigenous people into a European-dominated political and economic system. • Exploitation of indigenous people • Mestizaje • Spanish political institutions (centralization) and Catholicism shaped colonial history and political/cultural practices that came with independence. • Experience of La Reconquista shaped Spain’s behavior in New World
Independence • Function of poor colonial administration; the Enlightenment; and the Napoleonic Wars • Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin, and Padre Hidalgo were leaders of independence • Compared to Canada, the United States, and India, the former Spanish empire did not create governmental systems that promoted individual liberty and rights. • Why?
Mexico as an Example • No constitutional tradition • Opposition by the Church • Foreign interference • Caudillo rule
Mexico, 1821-1910 • Popular discontent started revolution in 1810—conservative completed it in 1821. • Aristocratic Republic created at end of revolution • Overthrown by Caudillos—Santa Anna as virtual dictator from 1833 to 1855 • La Reforma led by Benito Juarez failed due to internal opposition and foreign intervention • Porfirio Diaz (1877-1880; 1884-1911) pursued development but impoverished his people. • “Poor Mexico, so far from God; so close to the United States.” • Revolution of 1910 resulted in an extremely liberal constitution (1917) which was ignored in practice.
La Revolucion • Much opposition to Porfirio Diaz • Liberals led by Francisco I. Madero wanted to topple Diaz to prevent more radical elements from seizing power. • Madero compelled Diaz to resign following 1910 election. • More radical reformers, such as Emilio Zapata, wanted true land reform. Z. abandoned Madero when reforms were not forthcoming. • Z. crafted Plan de Ayala and mobilized his Ejercito Libertador del Sur. • Madero was murdered by General Huerta, who seized power as Mexico’s president. • Henry Lane Wilson, the U. S. ambassador, conspired in the murder fearing the Madero was too radical.
La Revolucion • Woodrow Wilson attempted to oust Huerta in favor of Venustiano Carranza. • Zapata attempted to get Carranza to support the Plan de Ayala. • Carranza placed a bounty on Zapata’s head and Z. was assassinated by General Guajardo in 1919. • Z. continues to be a symbol for reformers, especially those championing the rights of indigenous people. • Pancho Villa slew gringos to invite U. S. invasion to discredit Carranza. • Mexico continued to have political instability until the 1930s.