Latin America from Independence to Dependent States SSWH14:b.

1. Latin America from Independence to Dependent States SSWH14:b.

2. Time and Geography

4. POLITICAL

5. The Criollos • Dissatisfied with Spanish, Portuguese rule • Exposed to ideas of Enlightenment, inspired by French and American revolutions • Aspired to replace peninsulares in high positions • Uninterested in revolutionary social change or improving conditions of masses • Leaders of independence movements, not the common people

6. Napoleon and Independence • Napoleon’s invasion of Spain provoked revolts • Criollos afraid of radical reform in colonies, so supported their imprisoned king • Severed colonial ties, took over political leadership, banished viceroys • Independence was declared • Important leaders • Miguel Hidalgo – Mexico • Jose de San Martin – Argentina, Chile • Simon Bolivar – northern South America Napoleon Bonaparte

7. Independence • Monroe Doctrine • Put to rest any support for Spanish invasion • Should new governments be monarchies or republics? • Example of United States led some to want republic • Many elites wanted monarchy, afraid of mob rule • Republicans eventually won out A political cartoon about the Monroe Doctrine

8. Independence • Brazil • Portuguese royal family fled from Napoleon, went to Brazil • Prince Pedro proclaimed independence, set up constitutional monarchy which lasted until 1889 • Transition to independence smoother than in Spanish America Emperor Dom Pedro I at age 35, 1834

10. Struggles Between Liberals and Conservatives • Liberals • Inspired by French Revolution’s goals • Middle sectors of society, commercial or professional backgrounds Early depiction of the tricolour in the hands of a sans-culotte

11. Struggles Between Liberals and Conservatives • Conservatives • Landed gentry, upper ranks of clergy • Emphasized stability, protection of property rights • Excluded Indians and mestizos from political and social rights

12. The Age Of Chaos And Caudillos • 30 years of instability, violence followed independence • Lacked elements of stability – middle class with strong work ethic, experience in self-government, homogeneous population • Economic instability undermined regimes. • Mexico and Argentina: defaulted on British debts; ruined credit standing • Civil government operated under shadow of military • Government policy controlled by small wealthy elite • Vacuum of authority led to new regionalism

13. The Caudillos • Caudillos, military strongmen • Asserted populist dictatorial rule using charisma, force, patronage • Only rulers capable of stopping squabbling • Social reforms were not considered Juan Manuel de Rosas, c. 1841 by Cayetano Descalzi, considered as the caudillo paradigm

14. The Caudillos • Juan Manuel de Rosas of Argentina • Became regional caudillo until elites begged him to become president to restore stability • Mercilessly persecuted all opposition • Finally overthrown Posthumous portrait of Juan Manuel de Rosas wearing the full dress of a brigadier general

15. National Consolidation under Oligarchies • Reorganization after 1850 based on liberalism: secular government, individual property rights, free trade, modernization • Argentina • Southern territories conquered • British helped develop roads, railroads • Free, mandatory public education • Immigration was encouraged

16. Consolidation and Colonialism • Mexico and Benito Juarez • Liberal reformer • Awakened nationalism, steered toward political democracy • Solid opposition of conservatives led to War of the Reform • Liberal/conservative struggle as bitter as ever • After Juarez, Mexico had 40 years of dictatorship under Diaz Benito Juárez

17. ECONOMIC

18. Consolidation and Colonialism • Economic colonialism • Prosperity linked to Gilded Age in Europe, US • Criollo control imposed through use of dictators or oligarchies • Attracted foreign investment, growth of import-export trade • Creation of urban, educated, middle sector • Immigrants organized into labor unions See notes for video

19. SOCIAL

20. Social Distinctions • Slavery abolished • Colonial classist society kept: criollos, mestizos, castas • Status visible largely by skin color • Pure-blooded Indians not allowed participation as equals • Towns center of culture, but most people were rural A criollo family

21. Social Distinctions • Mestizos and Indians • Struggled against poverty • Lacked good land, industrial jobs • Peonage (debt-based servitude) – coerced labor • Stagnation of national politics due to rural illiteracy, poverty • Skin color was not impossible obstacle to social status Mestizo family

22. Status of Women • Prosperity and modernization under the oligarchs brought new opportunities for young women in cities • Women questioned “science” that claimed them intellectually inferior to men • Unattached women began entering traditionally male fields of endeavor • New vocational schools: secretaries, typesetters, and bookbinders • Women could become teachers, doctors, lawyers, and journalists • Pioneering professional women led movement to improve the lives of women and children • Legal and social restrictions on married women continued into the twentieth century.

23. Land and Labor • Land held in huge blocks by few families • Agriculture based on monoculture – growing 1 or 2 crops for export • Almost all labor done by hand • Great landowners were essentially an aristocracy – lived well but had no sense of social responsibility

24. Latin American and Caribbean Cultures • Ideas and values were Spanish or Portuguese, Roman Catholic, patriarchal • Caribbean islands reflect African origins of population • Catholic Church • Supervised public life, private morals • Was an official church with little competition • Clergy interfered with political affairs • Responsible for most educational, social welfare institutions • Elites – little sense of national identity • Cultural stratification is strong, works against national unity • Anti-Indian sentiment has lasted long after the Conquest

25. REVIEW

26. Discussion Questions • Both the United States and Latin America gained their independence from their mother countries within one century, yet the results seem to have been very different. What factors can you identify in the two experiences which explain the different outcomes? Why did the Latin American countries become politically independent, only to become economically dependent? 2. The criollos led the independence movements and the governments that resulted. But what involvement did the other classes and ethnic groups have? What changes did the criollos experience as a result of independence? What changes did the mestizos and Indians experience? Did independence make them better off or not? Why?