chapter_25_summary

Chapter Summary: Consolidation of Latin America (1830-1920)

• Most Latin American nations gained independence from colonial control early in the 19th century.

• Political culture influenced by Enlightenment ideas, but faced challenges rooted in colonial history.

  • Colonial governance lacked participatory elements, resulting in dependence and resentment.

  • Class and regional divides contributed to instability and uneven wealth distribution.

  • European industrial capitalism placed Latin American nations in a dependent economic position.

From Colonies to Nations

• Late 18th century: Creole elites began questioning colonial rule.

• Mass resentment against government policies led to revolutionary sentiments.

• Early revolutions failed due to elite fear of lower-class power.

Causes of Political Change

• Four significant external events shaped political thought:

  • American Revolution: Served as a rebellion model.

  • French Revolution: Offered revolutionary ideology, but was deemed too radical by elites.

  • Haitian Revolution: Led by Toussaint L’Overture, it frightened colonial elites and discouraged social changes.

  • Political turmoil in Spain/Portugal: French invasions caused confusion, allowing Creoles to take control.

Spanish American Independence Struggles

• Mexico:

  • 1810: Hidalgo's appeal to Indians and mestizos results in a mixed revolution.

  • Iturbide's conservative Creole leadership eventually gains independence by 1824.

• Northern South America:

  • Simon Bolívar leads independence efforts in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador.

  • Gran Colombia formed but disintegrated by 1830.

• Southern South America:

  • José de San Martín leads revolts in Rio de la Plata, establishing independence by 1816.

  • By 1825, all Spanish territories gained independence, forming republics.

Brazilian Independence

• Brazil was crucial to Portugal by the 18th century.

• French invasion of Portugal in 1807 led the royal family to relocate to Brazil.

  • Rio de Janeiro became the seat of the Portuguese empire.

• 1822: Pedro I declares Brazil's independence as a constitutional emperor, but maintains social hierarchy based on slavery.

New Nations Confront Old and New Problems

• Enlightenment ideals influenced independence leaders, but controversial roles of the Catholic Church emerged.

• Across former Spanish colonies, slavery abolished by 1854, yet elite fears stifled significant social change.

• Property and literacy restrictions limited political participation; women remained disenfranchised.

Political Fragmentation

• Initial unity attempts failed due to regional rivalry and internal strife.

• Local focuses emerged due to vast size and poor infrastructure.

• Rise of caudillos: Local military leaders intervened in national politics, often disregarding representative democracy.

• Diverse ideologies:

  • Centralists: Advocated for strong central governments.

  • Federalists: Supported regional autonomy.

  • Liberals: Desired reforms favoring rights and federalist governance.

  • Conservatives: Wanted to maintain a strong centralized state.

• Enduring political instability led to rapid changes in leadership and constitutions.

Latin American Economies and World Markets (1820-1870)

• Post-Napoleonic War, U.K. and U.S. supported Latin American independence, leading to new economic dynamics.

• Neocolonial dependence formed: Britain replaced Spain as a dominant economic player.

  • Benefited export-driven economies, detrimental to internal markets leading to dependency.

Mid-Century Stagnation to Resurgence

• 1820-1850: Economic stagnation due to war impacts and poor infrastructure.

• Post-1850 Europe spurs demand: Growth in coffee, grains, mineral exports, leading to urban growth and transport developments.

• Liberal reform efforts met resistance from conservative forces, returning to power by the 1840s.

Economic Resurgence and Liberal Politics

• Liberal resurgence in late 19th century driven by positivist ideology.

• Economic expansion benefited elite landowners and foreign investors at the peasantry's expense.

Mexico: Instability and Foreign Intervention

• 1824: Federalist constitution established, facing challenges from inequitable land distribution and foreign interests.

• Early 1830s: Liberal reforms challenged by conservative reaction led by Santa Anna.

• War with the U.S. ended with significant territorial losses.

• 1854: Benito Juárez leads a liberal revolt, culminating in a new constitution in 1857, suppressing church and military privileges.

Argentina: Economic and Political Turmoil

• Economic division between Buenos Aires and surrounding territories.

• Post-1816 independence led to regional disputes, with Rosas gaining power in 1831.

• Post-Rosas era marked by successful reforms, infrastructure development, and increased European immigration, boosting national economy.

The Brazilian Empire

• Pedro I's reign (1824-1831) established a liberal constitution but fell to autocratic tendencies.

• Political stability emerged through economic prosperity and foreign investments leading to urban growth.

• Slavery abolished in 1888 as sociopolitical pressures intensified.

Societies in Search of Themselves

• Cultural tensions lingered between European influence and local traditions.

  • Romanticism led to interest in indigenous cultures in the 1830s; realism emerged by the 1870s.

• Women's roles barely improved; legal rights remained limited despite participation in revolutions.

The Great Boom (1880-1920)

• Increased European demand spurred economic growth, aligning with liberal ideologies supporting open markets.

• Political alliances formed among elites to secure interests, often at the working class's expense.

• Modernization caused social and economic shifts, but unrest from labor movements persisted.

Uncle Sam Goes South

• U.S. interests grew in Latin America post-Civil War, culminating with the Spanish-American War of 1898.

• American interventions heightened Latin American suspicions of U.S. intentions.

Global Connections

• Despite changes post-independence, Latin America remained largely unchanged through various revolutions and reforms.

Key Terms

• Toussaint L’Overture: Leader of the Haitian Revolution.

• Mask of Ferdinand: Movement in Latin America masking its independence as loyalty to the Bourbon king.

• Miguel de Hidalgo: Initiator of Mexican independence movement.

• Augustín Iturbide: Conservative leader who declared independence in Mexico.

• Simon Bolívar: Key figure in the independence movements in northern South America.

• Gran Colombia: A state formed from independent territories in northern South America.

• José de San Martín: Leader of independence in the southern regions.

• João VI: Portuguese monarch who fled to Brazil.

• Pedro I: Proclaimed Brazilian independence.