The
Caudillos
•The
new nations suffered from the warfare ending in independence.
–Armies
loyal to their leaders led to the rise of caudillos, men who controlled local areas.
–They
intervened in national politics to make and unmake governments.
–At
times the caudillos defended the interests of regional elites, or of Indians and
peasants.
–In
general they disregarded representative forms and the rule of law.