exam 2 HIS-220 terms

Haitian Revolution

Was a successful uprising by enslaved people against French colonial rule in Saint-Domingue. Enslaved and formerly enslaved revolutionaries defeated French forces and helped establish Haiti as an independent nation in 1804. It was significant because it challenged slavery, colonialism, and racial hierarchies throughout the Americas.

Bourbon Reforms

Changes introduced by Spain’s Bourbon monarchy during the 1700s to strengthen royal authority and increase colonial revenue. They reorganized colonial administration, expanded taxation, and strengthened trade and military systems. These reforms upset many American-born Spanish elites and contributed to tensions that later fueled independence movements.

War of the Triple Alliance

Fought between Paraguay and the alliance of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The war caused massive destruction and population losses in Paraguay. It was significant because it weakened Paraguay and reshaped political and economic power in South America.

Caudillos

Powerful regional military and political leaders who became especially influential after Latin American independence in the early 1800s. They often gained support through personal loyalty, military strength, and patronage rather than strong political institutions. Caudillos were significant because they demonstrated the instability of new governments and the continuing importance of personal authority in Latin American politics.

Brazilian Slavery

Lasted throughout the colonial era and much of the 1800s until abolition in 1888. Enslaved Africans and their descendants worked in sugar plantations, coffee production, mining, and domestic labor. Brazil received more enslaved Africans than any other country in the Americas. Slavery shaped Brazil’s economy, racial inequalities, and social structure long after emancipation.

Porfirio Díaz

Dominated Mexican politics from 1876 to 1911, a period known as the Porfiriato. His government promoted railroads, foreign investment, and economic modernization while limiting political freedoms. The benefits of growth were distributed unequally, and many rural communities suffered land losses. Opposition to his dictatorship helped spark the Mexican Revolution.

Mexican Revolution

Began in 1910 as a movement against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz and developed into a long struggle over political power, land, and social reform. Important figures included Francisco Madero, Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa. The Constitution of 1917 established major principles concerning land, labor rights, and government authority. The revolution reshaped Mexican politics and became a major symbol of social change in Latin America.

APRA/MNR

Founded in 1924 in Peru, was a political movement that opposed imperialism and promoted broader political and social participation. Founded in 1941 in Bolivia, led the Bolivian National Revolution in 1952 and supported reforms such as expanded voting rights, land redistribution, and mine nationalization. Both movements challenged traditional elite power and called for greater inclusion. They were significant examples of Latin American nationalism and reform movements in the twentieth century.