Latin 2.0

Economic Consequences of Independence

Collapse of mining/plantation economies, destruction from wars, loss of capitalist industry, huge debt, lack of credit, no banking systems, and reliance on unfavorable foreign trade.

Political Consequences of Independence

Rise of caudillos, political fragmentation, rivalry between federalists and centralists, and conflicts between liberals and conservatives.

Caudillo

A strongman with military, political, and economic power who dominated politics after independence.

Federalists

Supported small central government and strong provincial/state power.

Centralists

Favored a strong centralized national government.

Liberals (19th century)

Advocated small government, individual rights, and free trade.

Conservatives (19th century)

Favored strong government, collective rights, Catholic Church influence, and monopolies.

U.S.-Mexico War

War over Texas and border disputes; U.S. victory resulted in Mexico ceding vast territory in 1848.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Treaty ending the U.S.-Mexico War and defining territorial boundaries.

War of the Triple Alliance

Paraguay vs. Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay; Paraguay devastated with huge population loss.

War of the Pacific

Chile vs. Peru and Bolivia over nitrate-rich Atacama territory; Chile victorious.

Liberal Republic

Modernizing state focused on progress, export growth, and liberal political ideas.

Oligarchy

A small ruling elite who dominate political and economic life.

Export-Oriented Economy

System structured around producing goods for foreign markets rather than domestic use.

Neocolonialism

Informal domination of independent countries through economic pressure and foreign influence.

United Fruit Company

U.S. banana corporation dominating land, transportation, and politics in Central America.

USS Maine

U.S. ship that exploded in Havana harbor in 1898, sparking Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War

Conflict that resulted in U.S. occupation/control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Foraker Act

Established civilian U.S. government in Puerto Rico in 1900.

Jones Act

Granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans in 1917 and created a Senate.

Populism

Movement centered on "the people" vs. "the elite," nationalism, strong leaders, ISI, and mass politics.

ISI (Import Substitution Industrialization)

Strategy to reduce dependency by encouraging domestic industrial production.

Mexican Revolution (stages)

Uprisings (1910), reforms (1920s-30s), Cárdenas' populism and nationalizations.

Estado Novo

Vargas' nationalist, authoritarian regime in Brazil (1930-45).

Juan Domingo Perón

Argentine populist president who expanded labor rights and state intervention.

Eva Perón

Influential Argentine political figure who mobilized workers and women.

Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

Colombian populist leader assassinated in 1948; his death triggered political violence.

Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre

Peruvian founder of APRA; major leftist/populist figure.

Cold War (Latin America)

Period of U.S. anti-communist intervention, coups, violence, and suppression of democracy.

26th of July Movement

Castro's guerrilla group that overthrew Batista in Cuba.

Bay of Pigs

Failed 1961 CIA-backed invasion of Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Guatemalan Revolution

1944-54 reform period overturned by a U.S.-backed coup against Árbenz.

Jacobo Árbenz

Democratically elected reformer whose agrarian program provoked U.S. intervention.

Carlos Castillo Armas

U.S.-installed dictator after the 1954 coup in Guatemala.

FSLN

Nicaraguan revolutionary movement that overthrew Somoza in 1979.

FMLN

Salvadoran leftist coalition fighting dictatorship; became a political party after 1992.

Dirty War (Argentina)

State-run campaign of torture, disappearances, and terror against civilians.

Somoza Dynasty

Family dictatorship controlling Nicaragua from 1936-1979.

Oscar Romero

Salvadoran archbishop assassinated in 1980; symbol of resistance.

Neoliberalism

Economic model promoting free markets, privatization, deregulation, and reduced state role.

Shock Doctrine

Use of crises to impose rapid neoliberal reforms.

Austerity

Cuts to government spending to reduce deficits.

Privatization

Selling state enterprises to private companies.

NAFTA

1994 free-trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

Maquiladora

Factory zone producing low-wage, export-oriented goods, usually near borders.

EZLN

Zapatista movement in Chiapas opposing neoliberal reforms and NAFTA.

Neopopulism

Populist political leadership combined with neoliberal economic strategies.

Pink Tide

Wave of left-leaning governments in Latin America (1999-2014) focusing on social programs.

Hugo Chávez

Venezuelan president promoting socialism, welfare expansion, and increased oil nationalism.