Chapter 39 Latin America from Independence to Dependent States

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Chapter 39Latin America from Independence to
Dependent States
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The NewLatin AmericanRepublics

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The Criollos

• They had become dissatisfied with Spanish,
  Portuguese rule
• Had been exposed to ideas of Enlightenment,
  inspired by French and American revolutions
• Aspired to replace peninsulares in high positions
• Not interested in revolutionary social change or
  improving conditions of masses
• These were the leaders of independence movements,
  not the common people

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Napoleon and Independence

• Napoleons invasion of Spain provoked revolts
• Criollos were afraid of radical reform in
  colonies, so proclaimed in favor of their
  imprisoned king
• Severed colonial ties, took over political
  leadership, banished viceroys
• Independence was then declared
• Important leaders
• Miguel Hidalgo Mexico
• Jose de San Martin Argentina, Chile
• Simon Bolivar northern South America

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Independence

• Monroe Doctrine
• Put to rest any support for Spanish invasion
• Latin America was thus acknowledged to be
  independent
• Next question should new governments be
  monarchies or republics?
• Example of United States led some to want
  republic
• Many elites wanted monarchy, afraid of mob rule
• Republicans eventually won out
• Brazil
• Portuguese royal family fled from Napoleon, went
  to Brazil
• Prince Pedro proclaimed independence, set up
  constitutional monarchy which lasted until 1889
• Transition to independence was smoother than in
  Spanish America

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Struggles Between Liberals and Conservatives

• Liberals
• Inspired by French Revolutions goals
• Middle sectors of society, commercial or
  professional backgrounds
• Conservatives
• Landed gentry, upper ranks of clergy
• Emphasized stability, protection of property
  rights
• Excluded Indians and mestizos from political and
  social rights

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Age of Chaos

• Thirty years of instability and violence followed
  independence
• Lacked elements of stability middle class with
  strong work ethic, experience in self-government,
  homogeneous population
• Civil government operated under shadow of
  military
• Government policy controlled by small wealthy
  elite
• Vacuum of authority led to new regionalism

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The Caudillos

• Caudillos military strongmen
• Asserted populist dictatorial rule using
  charisma, force, patronage
• Only rulers capable of stopping squabbling
• Social reforms were not considered
• Juan Manuel de Rosas of Argentina typical
  caudillo
• Became regional caudillo until elites begged him
  to become president to restore stability
• Mercilessly persecuted all opposition
• Finally overthrown

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National Consolidation under Oligarchies

• Reorganization after 1850 based on liberalism
  secular government, individual property rights,
  free trade, modernization
• Argentina
• Southern territories conquered
• British helped develop roads, railroads
• Free, mandatory public education
• Immigration was encouraged

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Consolidation and Colonialism

• Mexico and Benito Juarez
• Liberal reformer
• Awakened nationalism, steered toward political
  democracy
• Solid opposition of conservatives led to War of
  the Reform
• Liberal/conservative struggle as bitter as ever
• After Juarez, Mexico had 40 years of dictatorship
  under Diaz
• Economic colonialism
• Prosperity linked to Gilded Age in Europe, US
• Criollo control imposed through use of dictators
  or oligarchies
• Attracted foreign investment, growth of
  import-export trade
• Creation of urban, educated, middle sector
• Immigrants organized into labor unions

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Social Distinctions

• Colonial social classes (criollos-mestizos-castas)
  remained
• Status visible largely by skin color
• Pure-blooded Indians not allowed any
  participation
• Towns were center of culture, but most people
  lived in countryside
• Mestizos and Indians struggle against poverty
• Lacked good land, industrial jobs
• Peonage (debt-based servitude) coerced labor
• Stagnation of national politics due to rural
  illiteracy, poverty
• Skin color was not impossible obstacle to social
  status

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Land and Labor

• Land held in huge blocks by few families
• Agriculture based on monoculture growing 1 or 2
  crops for export
• Almost all labor done by hand
• Great landowners were essentially an aristocracy
  lived well but had no sense of social
  responsibility

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Latin American and Caribbean Cultures

• Ideas and values were Spanish or Portuguese,
  Roman Catholic, patriarchal
• Caribbean islands reflect African origins of
  population
• Catholic Church
• Supervised public life, private morals
• Was an official church with little competition
• Clergy interfered with political affairs
• Responsible for most educational, social welfare
  institutions
• Elites little sense of national identity
• Cultural stratification is strong, works against
  national unity
• Anti-Indian sentiment has lasted long after the
  Conquest

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Discussion Questions

• Both the United States and Latin America gained
  their independence from their mother countries
  within one century, yet the results seem to have
  been very different. What factors can you
  identify in the two experiences which explain the
  different outcomes? Why did the Latin American
  countries become politically independent, only to
  become economically dependent?
• The criollos led the independence movements and
  the governments that resulted. But what
  involvement did the other classes and ethnic
  groups have? What changes did the criollos
  experience as a result of independence? What
  changes did the mestizos and Indians experience?
  Did independence make them better off or not?
  Why?