The Consolidation of Latin America

1830-1920

Part I

Chapter Summary

Four major world areas escaped the imperialist scramble: Russia, the Middle East, East Asia, and Latin America.

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

Early Latin America

The political culture of Latin America’s leaders had been shaped by the Enlightenment, but they faced problems growing from their own history.

Their colonial heritage did not include participatory government;

highly centralized states had created both patterns of dependence and resentment.

Class and regional interests divided nations; wealth was unevenly distributed.

The rise of European industrial capitalism placed Latin America nations in a dependent economic position.

From Colonies to Nations

By the late 18th century Creole elites were questioning the necessity of remaining colonial subjects.

The majority of the population resented government policies.

Early attempts at revolution failed because the elites feared unleashing the power of the lower classes.

Causes of Political Change

Four external events had a major impact on Latin American political thought.

The American Revolution

The French Revolution

The Slave Rebellion of St. Domingue

The final and precipitating factor was the confused political situation in Spain and Portugal caused by French invasion and occupation.

The American Revolution

The American Revolution provided a model for colonial rebellion.

The French Revolution

The French Revolution offered revolutionary ideology, but it was rejected by elites as too radical politically and socially.

The Slave Rebellion

The slave rebellion in the French island of St. Domingue led by Toussaint L'Overture in 1791 ended in 1804 with the independent republic of Haiti.

Mask of Ferdinand

This was a term given to the movements in Latin America allegedly loyal to the deposed Bourbon king of Spain.

They were Creole movements for independence.

Spanish-American
Independence Struggles
Mexico

A Creole conspiracy caused Miguel de Hidalgo, a Mexican priest, to appeal in 1810 to Indians and mestizos for support.

After early victories Hidalgo lost Creole support and was executed.

Mexico and Iturbide

The revolution continued and conservative Creoles under Augustín Iturbide a conservative Creole officer in the Mexican army won independence in 1821.

The new state, a monarchy under Iturbide based upon Creole dominance, collapsed in 1824.

Mexico became a republic and Central America, until then part of the empire, divided into independent nations.

Spanish-American
Independence Struggles
Northern South America

In northern South America an independence movement led by a Creole officer, Simon Bolívar a Creole military officer, appeared in Caracas in 1810.

Gran Columbia

Between 1817 and 1822 Bolívar won victories in Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Spanish-American
Independence Struggles
Southern South America

In southern South America rebellion began in Rio de la Plata under the leadership of José de San Martín.

Buenos Aires opted for autonomy in 1810.

In 1816 the independence of the United Republic of Rio de la Plata was proclaimed.

Paraguay

Paraguay separated from the United Republic of Rio de la Plata in 1813.

José Rodríguez de Francia became the ruler of an independent Paraguay as it’s dictator until 1840.

Peru, Uruguay, and Bolivia

The remaining Spanish territories fell to San Martín's forces; by 1825 all of Spanish America had won political independence.

All were republics with representative governments.

Portugal and Brazil

By the end of the 18th century Brazil was Portugal’s most important colonial possession.

The presence of a large slave population tempered the elite’s thoughts of independence.

The French invasion of Portugal in 1807 led the royal family and many of the nobility to flee to Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro became the real capital of the Portuguese empire.

Rio De Janeiro
The Great Capital

Brazil's ports were opened to world commerce because of pressure from Britain, Portugal's powerful war time ally.

King João VI remained in Brazil until 1820.

The presence of the court made Rio de Janeiro into a great capital city.

Brazilian Independence

When João VI returned to Portugal to deal with a liberal revolution he left his son Pedro as regent.

When it became clear that Brazil was to return to colonial status, Pedro declared its independence in 1822 and became the constitutional emperor, Pedro I.

New Nations Confront Old and New Problems

Many of the leaders of Latin American independence shared political and economic ideals expressed in the Enlightenment.

There was less agreement about the role of the Catholic church as the exclusive state religion.

Some leaders had democratic beliefs.

Early Race Relations

Slavery was abolished in all the former Spanish colonies by 1854.

However, better treatment of Indians and mestizos was blocked by the elite's fears of losing tax revenue and control.

Property and literacy qualifications limited voting as women remained subordinate to men.

Political Fragmentation

Early efforts for political unity quickly failed because of regional rivalries and internal frictions.


	Four major world areas escaped the imperialist scramble: Russia, the Middle East, East Asia, and Latin America.
	Most Latin American nations gained independence from colonial control early in the 19th century.


	The political culture of Latin America’s leaders had been shaped by the Enlightenment, but they faced problems growing from their own history.
	Their colonial heritage did not include participatory government;
	highly centralized states had created both patterns of dependence and resentment.
	Class and regional interests divided nations; wealth was unevenly distributed.
	The rise of European industrial capitalism placed Latin America nations in a dependent economic position.


	By the late 18th century Creole elites were questioning the necessity of remaining colonial subjects.
	The majority of the population resented government policies.
	Early attempts at revolution failed because the elites feared unleashing the power of the lower classes.


	Four external events had a major impact on Latin American political thought.
		The American Revolution
		The French Revolution
		The Slave Rebellion of St. Domingue
		The final and precipitating factor was the confused political situation in Spain and Portugal caused by French invasion and occupation.


	The American Revolution provided a model for colonial rebellion.


	The French Revolution offered revolutionary ideology, but it was rejected by elites as too radical politically and socially.


	The slave rebellion in the French island of St. Domingue led by Toussaint L'Overture in 1791 ended in 1804 with the independent republic of Haiti.


	This was a term given to the movements in Latin America allegedly loyal to the deposed Bourbon king of Spain.
	They were Creole movements for independence.


	A Creole conspiracy caused Miguel de Hidalgo, a Mexican priest, to appeal in 1810 to Indians and mestizos for support.
	After early victories Hidalgo lost Creole support and was executed.


	The revolution continued and conservative Creoles under Augustín Iturbide a conservative Creole officer in the Mexican army won independence in 1821.
		The new state, a monarchy under Iturbide based upon Creole dominance, collapsed in 1824.
	Mexico became a republic and Central America, until then part of the empire, divided into independent nations.


	In northern South America an independence movement led by a Creole officer, Simon Bolívar a Creole military officer, appeared in Caracas in 1810.


	Between 1817 and 1822 Bolívar won victories in Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.


	In southern South America rebellion began in Rio de la Plata under the leadership of José de San Martín.
		Buenos Aires opted for autonomy in 1810.
		In 1816 the independence of the United Republic of Rio de la Plata was proclaimed.


	Paraguay separated from the United Republic of Rio de la Plata in 1813.
	José Rodríguez de Francia became the ruler of an independent Paraguay as it’s dictator until 1840.


	The remaining Spanish territories fell to San Martín's forces; by 1825 all of Spanish America had won political independence.
	All were republics with representative governments.


	By the end of the 18th century Brazil was Portugal’s most important colonial possession.
		The presence of a large slave population tempered the elite’s thoughts of independence.
		The French invasion of Portugal in 1807 led the royal family and many of the nobility to flee to Brazil.
	Rio de Janeiro became the real capital of the Portuguese empire.


	Brazil's ports were opened to world commerce because of pressure from Britain, Portugal's powerful war time ally.
	King João VI remained in Brazil until 1820.
	The presence of the court made Rio de Janeiro into a great capital city.


	When João VI returned to Portugal to deal with a liberal revolution he left his son Pedro as regent.
	When it became clear that Brazil was to return to colonial status, Pedro declared its independence in 1822 and became the constitutional emperor, Pedro I.


	Many of the leaders of Latin American independence shared political and economic ideals expressed in the Enlightenment.
		There was less agreement about the role of the Catholic church as the exclusive state religion.
		Some leaders had democratic beliefs.


	Slavery was abolished in all the former Spanish colonies by 1854.
	However, better treatment of Indians and mestizos was blocked by the elite's fears of losing tax revenue and control.
	Property and literacy qualifications limited voting as women remained subordinate to men.


	Early efforts for political unity quickly failed because of regional rivalries and internal frictions.