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Latin American Independence and Consolidation

This article explores the background, chronology, and impact of Latin American independence movements, as well as the subsequent challenges faced by the new nations. It examines political fragmentation, economic reliance on European powers, social inequality, and the role of the church. Additionally, it discusses the economic resurgence and liberal politics of the mid-19th century, the Mexican-American War, the rise of personalist autocrats, and the cultural expression and social dynamics of post-independence Latin America.

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Latin American Independence and Consolidation

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  1. Latin American Independence and Consolidation 1800-1920

  2. Background • 18th century Enlightenment thought • Revolutionary and reactionary events in Europe • Problems: Centralized govt, class conflicts, regional & econ divisions • Dependence on Europe in industrial age  raw materials in exchange for manufactured goods

  3. Haitian Revolution

  4. Spanish-American Independence • Hidalgo and Mexico • Iturbide finishes movement and becomes emperor > republic and Central America fractures • Chronology of independence • Bolivar established Gran Colombia • San Martin established Rio de la Plata > helps Chile and Peru • All Spanish America free w/ rep. govt by 1825

  5. Brazilian Independence • Econ growth > slaves > fear Haitian-style revolt • Rio became capital > opened to world market > reinforced colonial relationship (supplier of raw materials) • King John returns to Europe > son Pedro I leads independence > only monarchy in South America

  6. New Nations Confront Problems • Social inequality, political representation, role of church & regionalism > fragmentation & personalist leaders • Conservatives and the church • Slavery abolished except in plantation nations • Amerindian tribute provided revenue • Amerindian majority & women still excluded

  7. Political Fragmentation • Causes: Regional rivalry, econ competition, geography & political division • Political confederations were short-lived

  8. Caudillos, Politics & Church • War > poor geography and econ • Caudillos and military emerge (self-interest) and claim to be populist • Centralist vs. federalist (both republican) • Liberal vs. conservative • Creoles dominate new political parties • Change in first 50 years

  9. Latin American Economy & World Markets • Slowly stabilizes • Monroe Doctrine shows U.S. support • GB became major trade partner > neocolonial dependence

  10. Mid-Century Stagnation • Cuba: colony and booming econ • Local industries improve > end of tribute & slavery • RR and steamship improve trade • Conservative/peasant alliance vs. liberals

  11. Economic Resurgence & Liberal Politics • Liberals favored positivism & gained political control • 2nd IR > econ expansion > pop increase • Exports > more $ > more liberal/capitalist ideas • Looked to U.S., GB and France • Elite distrusted masses • Immigration increased > labor issues arise

  12. Mexico • Problems: land, Amerindian status, educ, & poverty • Conservative rxn & Santa Anna rises to power (personalist autocrat) • Texas settlement > instability > Texan independence > U.S. annexation (manifest destiny)

  13. Mexico • Results of Mexican-American War: Mexico loses ½ its land and econ; American nationalism • Juarez led liberal La Reforma against Santa Anna • Napoleon III aids religious conservatives > emperor Maximilian von Habsburg > liberal overthrow > Diaz became dictator

  14. Argentina • Rio de la Plata splits  liberal govt @ Buenos Aires • Liberals anger church & federalists • Rosas was despot & favored Buenos Aires  overthrown  decade of chaos  Argentine Republic (Sarmiento’s liberal govt)

  15. Argentina cont’d • Political stability  • econ expansion, pop, immigration and wage increase  • more reforms and national pride  • displace more Amerindians outside of development

  16. Brazil • Slavery, large estates and exports • Republican govt gained power • Dom Pedro II army suppressed revolts • Coffee became main export  more slavery • After 1870: labor force changes • Causes of decline of Dom Pedro II • Slavery abolished in 1885

  17. Cultural Expression After Independence • Europeans influence Latin American govt • Neoclassical art & architecture • Romanticism: liberty, slave, native, exotic, politician/historian • Authors criticized social problems • Traditional culture still ignored by elite

  18. Old Patterns of Gender, Class & Race • Women not rewarded for help in independence • Lower class women had more econ opportunity • Female role grew through public education • Social castes outlawed but still existed • Creole noble class & urban middle class rule govt at expense of lower class (especially Amerindians)

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