Latin American History 3/19

Nineteenth to Early Twentieth Century Latin America

Overview of the Liberal Age in Latin America

• Termed the Liberal Age, characterized by liberal dominance.

  • Even when conservatives are in power, they adhere to liberal economic and cultural ideals.

  • Neocolonial Age: Dominance by foreign cultures and economies, discussed alongside the rise of US power in Latin America.

Historical Context

• The context includes the rise of American intervention by the late 19th century.

  • Key events include US military occupations and interventions in Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico towards the end of the 19th century.

  • Mention of the Panama Canal and its implications for both the U.S. and Panama.

Themes in Cuban History

Cuba's Relationship with The United States

• Long Tango with The United States: American influence on Cuba noted even under Spanish colonial rule.

  • 10 Years' War (1868-1878): Failures due to racial fears related to slavery.

• Key figures include Juan Alberto Gomez and Marti who championed a national identity free from racial division.

  • Marti argued that race is a social construct used to divide.

  • The racial unity in the independence movement, with both blacks and whites fighting side by side, is emphasized.

Cuban National Identity Development

• There is a profound narrative shift post-1895 war for independence, led by thinkers redefining Cubanness.

  • The notion of race as a social construct is pivotal in the fight for a cohesive national identity.

• Marti viewed the potential for American involvement in Cuban independence with skepticism due to historical American ambitions in Cuba.

  • He respected aspects of America but distanced Cuban nationalism from potential American control.

Impact of American Culture on Cuban Society

Adoption of Baseball

• Baseball as a metaphor for nationhood: seen as a reflection of modernity and opposed to Spanish bullfighting.

  • Introduced as part of a cultural exchange between Cuba and the U.S.

  • Baseball played a role in fostering teamwork and cooperation among varying classes and genders, unlike bullfighting, which was seen as hierarchical and segregated.

• Illustrates Cuba’s attempt to modernize while asserting its own cultural identity against Spain.

The Struggle for Independence in Cuba

Late 19th Century Revolutionary Activities

• The independence movement gathered strength in the 1890s, with crucial leadership from figures like Maximo Gomez and Antonio Maceo.

  • Return to rebellion strategies that focused on unity and social justice:

  • Emphasis on social reforms and land redistribution.

• US intervention in 1898 solidified the end of Spanish colonial rule, but Cubans felt sidelined in this narrative.

U.S. Intervention in Cubas Guerra

April 1898: U.S. Enters the War

• U.S. sympathy for Cuban independence following Spanish concentration camps, metaphorically portraying the rebellion as heroism akin to U.S. own revolutionary struggle.

• The Teller Amendment stated the U.S. would not annex Cuba, yet it did not recognize the rebels' sovereignty.

  • The U.S. made the final decisions regarding Cuba post-war, leading to debates in Congress about the future of Cuba.

• Splendid Little War: A swift U.S. victory led the U.S. to overshadow the Cuban rebels' contributions.

Post-War Consequences for Cuba

Treaties and Amendments

• Treaty of Paris 1898: The U.S. received Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico but promised Cuban independence under conditions.

• The Platt Amendment effectively turned Cuba into a U.S. protectorate, ensuring foreign governance over key aspects of Cuban sovereignty.

  • Limited Cuban ability to sign treaties without U.S. approval, leading to lasting resentment.

Economic and Social Dynamics of the Liberal Age

Economic Developments

• By 1870 to the Great Depression of the 1930s, Latin America experienced a liberal age with political stability.

  • Note that economically, there was a stark wealth disparity with economic booms primarily benefiting certain elite classes.

  • Countries like Argentina, Mexico, and Chile contributed significantly to global markets through agricultural and mineral exports.

• Economic features:

  • A heavy reliance on primary products: agricultural goods, minerals, and the rise in foreign investments.

Constraints on Development

• Despite growth, issues remained, such as:

  • Dependency on exporting primary products with limited internal market capacity.

  • The inadequacy of infrastructures like railroads, which were often built for exports rather than creating national integration.

Analysis of Why Latam did not Industrialize Fully

Home

• Timing played a role—developing nations attempted industrialization but faced competition from established industrial powers.

• Poor internal market and inadequate government policies contributed to lack of a sustainable industrial base.

Conclusion: Lasting Implications for Cuba

• The trajectory established post-1898 set the stage for both a complex relationship with the United States and laid the foundations for future nationalist sentiments.

• Conflicts of national identity arose, and subsequent U.S. policies would face growing pushback within Cuba in the ensuing decades.

Note: These notes are intended to provide comprehensive details about the historical and political dynamics in Latin America during the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, mainly focusing on Cuba's quest for independence and its relationship with the United States.