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Chapter 25

The
Consolidation
of Latin
America, 18301920

Introduction
Compared to the Asian and African
areas dominated by European
Imperialism, Latin America was more
successful in winning independence
Latin American leaders were guided
by the Enlightenment
Political progress and property rights
Yet, new nations inherited problems
based on colonial past

From Colonies to Nations


Causes of Political Change
Latin American revolutions inspired by
American and French revolutions
1791 slave rebellion led to independent Haiti
Radical French Revolution frightened Creole
elites
Breakdown of Spanish monarchy during
Napoleonic wars created crisis of legitimacy,
Creole elites established independent
governments

From Colonies to Nations


Spanish American Independence
Struggles
Rebellion in Mexico began in 1810, Father Miguel de
Hidalgo
Failed due to lack of Creole support, second
revolution with support began in 1820
Creole military leader, Augustin de Iturbide proclaimed
emperor
Simon Bolivar led independence movements in
northern South America
Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador formed Gran Colombia

What do their clothes tell


you about these
revolutionaries?

From Colonies to Nations


By 1830, Gran Colombia broke up
into independent states
Southern South America, Jose de San
Martin led resistance in Argentina,
Chile, Peru
By 1825, South America was
independent from Spain

Who is standing near Jose San


Martin when he declared
independence?
What
Does
Your
Answer
Suggest
About the
Influences
On the
new
Local
Government?

From Colonies to Nations


Brazilian Independence
Independence was achieved by different methods
Early movements failed due to general fear of
slave uprisings
Royal family fled to Brazil due to Napoleonic Wars,
Brazil was raised to equal status with Portugal
Ports opened to world commerce
1820, king returned to Portugal, son remained and
declared independence
Maintained existing social organization, political
structure

New Nations Confront Old and


New Patterns
Newly independent nations focused
on political representation, private
property, free trade
Role of Church became uncertain
Revolutionary ideals led to abolition
Race and gender was still a factor in
social and political hierarchy

New Nations Confront Old


and New Patterns
Political Fragmentation
Mexico abandoned monarchy in favor of republic,
remained unstable until 1860s
Central America broke away from Mexico, also
unable to maintain unity
Cuba and Puerto Rico remained within Spanish
orbit
Consolidation also failed in South America
Geographic barriers, lack of communication
networks and transportation magnified problems

New Nations Confront Old


and New Patterns
Caudillos, Politics, and the Church
Decades of war led to rise of strong military figures,
Caudillos
Dominated local areas, seized power
Political disputes between Federalists and centrists
concerning distribution of power
Liberals supported federalists, conservatives with
centrists
Liberals attempted to limit role of Church in civil
affairs
Regardless of view, political leaders came from
upper classes

Latin American Economies and


World Markets, 1820-1870
Englands determination to recognize
independence made it difficult for
Europe to re-establish Spanish Empire
US supported independence, Monroe
Doctrine
Support was based on trade access
British dominance hindered industrial
development, reinforced economic
dependence

Latin American Economies


and World Markets, 18201870
Mid-century Stagnation
Between 1820-1850 economy stagnated
After 1850, demand for Latin American
goods increased, economies expanded
Increased state development of infrastructure
As exports increased, vulnerability to world
markets increased
Reform was prevented by uneasy alliance
between peasants and conservatives

Latin American Economies


and World Markets, 18201870

Economic Resurgence and Liberal


Politics

European economic resurgence at end of century


led to greater demand from Latin America
Economic growth led to support for liberal
policies, government
European based economic models often failed
European immigrants fill demand for labor,
Indians ignored
Wealthy landowners monopolized countryside

Latin American Economies


and World Markets, 18201870
Mexico: Instability and Foreign
Intervention
Federalist Constitution of 1824 failed to
address equitable distribution of land,
status of Indian
Following 1835, Santa Anna served as
prominent military, political figure
Failed to suppress rebellion, independence of
Texas
Loss of US-Mex war led to huge loss of territory

Latin American Economies


and World Markets, 18201870
Failure of Santa Anas foreign policies led to his
political removal
Liberal rebellion against caudillo led to
establishment of liberal constitution
Conservatives rejected constitution, looked to
France for help
French forces overthrew republic, placed
Maximillian von Hapsburg on throne
When French forces withdrew, liberals returned
to power
Benito Juarez

Latin American Economies


and World Markets, 18201870

Argentina: The Port and the Nation

1820s, Liberal government sought to stimulate trade


Strong centralized government was met with
opposition from ranchers
Conservative Juan Manuel de Rosas Federalism
favored ranchers over Indians
Liberals regained control following period of political
confusion after collapse of Rosas government
Liberal government used trade profits to make
improvements
Infrastructure, education

Latin American Economies


and World Markets, 18201870
The Brazilian Empire
A functioning republic operated under faade of monarchy
Independence established by Dom Pedro I
Brazilian economy was revolutionized by coffee as an
export crop
Slavery intensified
Infrastructure improvements, increased foreign
investment
Increased Eastern European immigrations lessened
need for slave labor, abolished 1888
Monarchy collapsed due to unpopular war and
opposition to Church, military coup 1889 led to Republic

Societies in Search of
Themselves
Cultural Expression After
Independence
End of Spanish dominance opened
door to other cultural influences
French Neoclassicism, Romanticism,
1870s Realism

Throughout century, culture of mass


population was unaffected by trends of
elite

Societies in Search of
Themselves
Old Patterns of Gender, Class, and Race
Women gained little despite involvement in
independence movements
Excluded from political participation, subjected to
patriarchial authority
Gained wider access to education, contributed to
growing feminist movement

Old social hierarchy based on color and


ethnicity remained
Indians remained outside of Creole, mestizo
social system

Latin America remains largely agrarian despite


economic expansion, urbanization

The Great Boom, 1880-1920


Export economy created social and political
alliances among large landowners, export
merchants and miners
Strong dependence on Europe for export
market
More vulnerable to shifts in demand and prices

Expanding economies attracted capital


from Europe and US
Latin American industries and transportation
corporations in foreign hands

The Great Boom, 1880-1920


Mexico and Argentina: Examples of
Economic Transformation

Porfirio Diaz elected president of


republic of Mexico
Liberal government attracted
foreign investment, built up
infrastructure, initiated
industrialization
Suppressed all opposition,
economic growth came at expense
of lower classes
Popular dissatisfaction led to
Mexican Revolution, 1910

Popular Mexican Revolts

The Great Boom, 1880-1920


Argentinas liberal government also depended on
strong export economy
Unlike Mexicos large indigenous labor force,
Argentina relied on Eastern European immigrants
Brought with them socialism, workers rebelled
against government repression
Middle-class Radical Party promised political reform,
enlightened labor policies, 1916
Also acted repressively in face of strikes
Mexico, Argentina model was common among Latin
America states where liberal modernization met
resistance

The Great Boom, 1880-1920


Uncle Sam Goes South
Following Civil War, American capitalists turned to
Latin America for investment
Spanish American War
First opportunity to intervene in Latin America
Puerto Rico and Cuba reduced to dependency
Supports Panama independence movement in
exchange for Panama Canal access
Latin American countries became increasingly
critical of increasing US intervention

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