Consolidation of Latin America

1. Consolidation of Latin America Chapter 25 Pg. 562-588

2. Question Slide • What hallmarks of Latin American society were established in 1450-1750? • What traits are particularly European or un-European in Latin American society entering the era of Western Hegemony? • Why would the Bourbon & Pombal reforms of the 18th century contribute to revolution?

3. From Colonies to Nations • Creoles & peasants resented heavy colonial gov • However, class distrust meant revolutions for independence only occurred after key European events • Latin American revolutions caused by common Atlantic revolutionary forces, plus four key events: • American Revolution • French Revolution • Haitian Revolution • Crisis of rule & legitimacy in Spain Causes of Political Change

4. Spanish American Independence • Mexico • Started by Father Hidalgo but lost Creole support • Iturbide & creoles pickup revolutionary mantle, winning independence, but neglecting social reforms • northern South America • Simon Bolivar & creoles led long bloody wars to free much of region & create unified Gran Colombia • southern South America • San Martin & creoles led revolt capitalizing on resentment & calls for autonomy →Most: (1) create representational gov after flirting with monarchy, (2) creoles key to success

5. Brazilian Independence • Achieved freedom differently despite commonalities • Growing economy strengthens middle-class demands • Napoleon’s invasion causes royalty to flee to Brazil • After Napoleon’s defeat royalty leaves, but Prince Pedro remains to gov Brazil • Quickly led short war for independence → did not upset existing social order

6. New Nations Confront Problems • Political & class conflict undermined egalitarian ideals • Promoting Catholicism vs. not banning other faiths • Creole distrust of masses loyalty & readiness • Masses distrust of creoles • Fragmentation inevitable despite attempts at unions • Geographic barriers, economic competition, regional & political rivalries, poor infrastructure Political Fragmentation

7. Caudillos, Politics, & the Church • Problems from heritage w/o common solutions • Caudillos & military commanders • Inspired loyalty of various groups via cults of personality • Contributed to instability by making power grabs • Political & religious tensions • federalists/liberals: decentralized secular gov, individualism (often led by urban bourgeoisie) • centralists/conservatives: centralized gov w/ heavy church influence, corporate groups (often led by urban bourgeoisie)

8. Latin American Economies • Latin America sought clear diplomatic sovereignty from former colonial powers • Only Britain capable of assuring this (although Monroe Doctrine tried) • In exchange, Latin America opens to trade • Latin America borrows money to improve infrastructure & buys manufactured goods, while Britain trades for raw materials • Damages local industry & promotes dependence

9. Mid-Century Stagnation • Wars for independence & poor infrastructure led to a stagnant economy in mid-1800s • As infrastructure of railroads & steamships improved, so too did export economy • Early liberal reforms were undermined by conservative opposition to vast change

10. Economic Resurgence • Expansion of world economy led to expansion of Latin American economy →New round of liberal reforms seen as successes • Positivism applied to society as supported by foreign investors, rural landowners, urban merchants • Population boomed, Science created new demands for copper & rubber • High cost of development alienates peasants leading to distrust of “out of place” liberal ideas

11. Mexico: Instability • Social problems, poverty, political tension remained • Santa Anna: despotic caudillo, father of politics • American manifest destiny challenged landholdings & caused Mexican-American War (lost 5% of population, 50% of land & economy potential) • Juarez: liberal reformer • Curtailed church & military, reformed land ownership, caused conservative response • Maximilian von Habsburg: foreign royal placed to rule Mexico • Resented due to foreign heritage & lack of legitimacy

12. Argentina: Regional Divisions • Backwater nation except for Buenos Aires • Liberals sought education & finance reforms, while Caudillos sought gaucho (cowboy) support • Rosas, a caudillo, seized control focusing on gauchos & urban poor but focusing revenues in Buenos Aires • Liberals (Sarmiento) return to power bringing reforms

13. Brazil: Façade of Stability • Stability from colonial traditions • Changes disrupt traditions & stability • Political tension b/t liberals & conservatives • Coffee transforms economy & intensifies slavery • Middle-class, immigration, & modernized plantations undermine slavery • Monarchy, stability, & peasant support wither with secularization and economic hardship

14. Societies in Search of Themselves Cultural Expression • Elite art heavily influenced by Europe • From neoclassicism to romanticism (focusing on nationality & local customs) to realism (depicting human weakness critically) • Popular culture largely unaffected, vibrant, & adaptable

15. Old Patterns of Gender & Class • Little changed in hierarchical, export-based society • Women subordinate in heavily patriarchal culture • Made some advances in education & “female” jobs • Racial divisions strong despite outlawing • Individual rights often sacrificed by liberal positivists for other reforms • Creoles dominated gov (merging with middle-class)

16. Great Boom 1880-1920 • Rising demand in industrialized West led to economic boom at end of period in Latin Amer • Liberal promotion of limited gov created union of elites & middle-class at expense of peasants • High profits possible, but dependent on outside market conditions • Growth led to foreign investment which limited Latin Amer policy options w/ Europe

17. Mexico & Argentina: Examples • Mexico: • Economy transformed using strong gov • Landowners & middle-class profit at expense of Indians & workers • However, ends as middle-class reform mushroom • Argentina: • Economic boom result of immigrants filling labor needs & fusing cultures • Buenos Aires position settled • However, radicals & socialists sought to reform oligarchy

18. Uncle Sam Goes South • U.S. development following Civil War and interest in C. Amer canal promoted activity in region • Spanish-American War result of U.S. desire for raw materials in Cuba and Puerto Rico • Panama Canal built after U.S. backed a Panamanian separatist group • Latin America quickly grew leery of U.S. ventures in region

19. Global Connections • Latin America followed Atlantic revolutionary trends, while running against current of European empire building • Historical systems & colonial legacies strong • Culturally & Politically: European • Economically: Tropical dependency • Serves as preview of decolonization in other parts of world

20. Question Slide • In what ways is Brazil similar and different from Spanish America, like Mexico?

21. Question Slide • What common problems arose throughout the period in a newly independent Latin America? • What problem do you think is most fundamental to the region’s issues? Why?