Act 2 Key Terms

Political and Social Concepts

1. Localism – A preference for local governance and identity over national unity.

2. Patria Chica – The idea of a "small homeland," emphasizing regional loyalties over national identity.

3. Peones y Patrones – The relationship between landless laborers (peones) and landowning elites (patrones), reflecting social and economic hierarchies in Latin America.

4. Haciendas – Large agricultural estates controlled by elites, often relying on peon labor.

Political Ideologies in the 19th Century

5. Liberalism (19th-c.) – A political philosophy favoring free markets, limited government, secularism, and individual rights.

6. Conservatism (19th-c.) – A political ideology favoring tradition, strong central authority, and maintaining the influence of the Catholic Church.

7. Anti-Clericalism – Opposition to the Catholic Church’s political and social power, particularly in governance.

Key Political and Military Figures

8. Antonio López de Santa Anna – A Mexican general and politician who played a key role in Mexico’s independence and later led Mexico in conflicts, including the Texas Revolution.

9. Juan Manuel de Rosas – A caudillo (strongman) who ruled Argentina with an authoritarian hand in the mid-19th century.

Wars and Conflicts

10. Battle of San Jacinto (1836) – A decisive battle in the Texas Revolution where Texas forces, led by Sam Houston, defeated Santa Anna’s army, securing Texas independence.

11. Caste War of Yucatán (Cruzobs) – A long indigenous Maya rebellion (1847–1901) against Mexican rule in the Yucatán Peninsula.

12. War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870) – A devastating war in which Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay fought against Paraguay, nearly wiping out Paraguay’s male population.

13. Pastry War (1838-1839) – A conflict between France and Mexico triggered by French demands for compensation for damages to French businesses in Mexico.

14. Dominican War of Restoration (1863–1865) – A conflict in which the Dominican Republic successfully expelled Spanish forces and restored independence.

Foreign Influence and Imperialism

15. Narciso López – A Venezuelan-born filibuster who led unsuccessful expeditions to liberate Cuba from Spain.

16. William Walker – An American filibuster who attempted to conquer parts of Latin America, briefly ruling Nicaragua (1856-1857) before being executed.

17. Filibusters – Adventurers, mostly from the U.S., who attempted to seize control of Latin American territories through private military invasions.

18. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) – Ended the Mexican-American War, forcing Mexico to cede vast territories (including California, Arizona, and Texas) to the United States.

19. Ostend Affair (1854) – A secret U.S. proposal to purchase or take Cuba from Spain by force, reflecting expansionist ambitions.

20. French "Intervention" (1862–1867) – Napoleon III’s attempt to establish a French-controlled monarchy in Mexico, installing Emperor Maximilian before he was overthrown.

Caudillos and Strongmen

21. Caudillos / Caudillism – A system where strong military leaders (caudillos) ruled Latin American nations, often through force and patronage.

22. Jean-Pierre Boyer – Haitian president (1818–1843) who unified the island of Hispaniola but struggled with economic and political instability.

Intellectual and Economic Concepts

23. José Martí – A Cuban poet and nationalist leader who advocated for Cuban independence from Spain.

24. Manchester Liberalism – A British free-market economic ideology that influenced Latin American elites, promoting trade and minimal government intervention.

25. "Agricultural Vocation" of Brazil – The idea that Brazil’s economy should be based on agriculture rather than industrialization.

26. Pedro II of Brazil – The last emperor of Brazil (ruled 1831–1889), known for modernizing Brazil and eventually overseeing the abolition of slavery.

27. Joaquim Nabuco – A leading Brazilian abolitionist who fought to end slavery in Brazil.

28. Embranquecimento ("Whitening") – A social policy in Brazil aimed at "whitening" the population by encouraging European immigration while discouraging African and indigenous cultural influences.

29. "Golden Law" of 1888 – The Brazilian law that abolished slavery, making Brazil the last country in the Americas to do so.

Cuban Independence and U.S. Influence

30. Cuba Libre – The slogan and movement advocating for Cuban independence from Spain.

31. Teller Amendment & Platt Amendment – U.S. policies regarding Cuba:

• Teller Amendment (1898): Stated the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the Spanish-American War.

• Platt Amendment (1901): Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs, limiting Cuban sovereignty.

32. Jones Act (1917) – Granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans but kept the island under U.S. control.

Cultural and Social Movements

33. "Gente Decente" – A term used by Latin American elites to distinguish themselves from lower social classes.

34. Costumbrismo – A literary and artistic movement that depicted everyday life and customs in Latin America, often romanticizing traditional values.

Political Reforms and Economic Development

35. Benito Juárez – A Mexican liberal reformer who fought against foreign intervention and established reforms limiting the power of the Catholic Church and military.

36. "Order & Progress" – A slogan associated with 19th-century liberal modernization efforts, particularly in Brazil and Mexico, emphasizing economic growth and stability over democracy.

37. Foreign Direct Investment – Economic policy encouraging foreign businesses to invest in Latin American industries, often leading to foreign control over local economies.

38. Export Economies – Latin American economies structured around exporting raw materials (e.g., coffee, sugar, rubber) rather than industrializing.