LATIN AMERICAN
REVOLUTIONS &
CONSOLIDATION
Chapter 25
Packet
AGE OF REVOLUTIONS: 1750-1850
• Only outside events inspired revolutionary
cooperation among Latin Americans
– American Revolution
– French Revolution
– Napoleon’s invasion of Spain & Portugal
Caribbean Crucible
• Saint Domingue
– L’Overture led 1st successful slave rebellion: Haiti born
– Significance of event depends on social class
Sp. American Independence (1750-1850)
• northern South America
– Simon Bolivar & creoles led long bloody wars to free
much of region & create unified Gran Colombia
→Most: (1) create representational gov after flirting
with monarchy, (2) creoles key to success
Political Fragmentation (1750-1850)
• Political & class conflict undermined egalitarian ideals
• Fragmentation inevitable despite attempts at unions
– Geographic barriers, economic competition, regional &
political rivalries, poor infrastructure
• Caudillos & military commanders
– Inspired loyalty of various groups via cults of personality
– Contributed to instability by making power grabs
Latin American Economies (1750-1850)
• Latin America sought clear diplomatic sovereignty
from former colonial powers
– Only Britain capable of assuring this (although Monroe
Doctrine tried)
– In exchange, Latin America opens to trade
– Damages local industry & promotes dependence
• Wars for independence & poor infrastructure led to
a stagnant economy in early 1800s
• Early liberal reforms were undermined by weak
economy & conservative opposition to vast change
Mexico (1750-1850) :
• Mexico
– Started by Father Hidalgo but lost Creole support
– Iturbide & creoles pickup revolutionary mantle, winning
independence, but neglecting social reforms
• Social problems, poverty, political tension remained
• Santa Anna: despotic caudillo, father of politics
– American manifest destiny challenged landholdings &
caused Mexican-American War (lost 5% of population,
50% of land & economy potential)
Brazilian Independence (1750-1850):
• Achieved freedom differently despite
commonalities
– Growing economy strengthens middle-class demands
• Napoleon’s invasion causes royalty to flee to Brazil
• After Napoleon’s defeat royalty leaves, but Prince
Pedro remains to gov Brazil
– Quickly led short war for independence → did not upset
existing social order
CONSOLIDATION: 1850-1914
Economy
• Rising demand in industrialized West led to
economic boom at end of period in Latin Amer
• High profits possible, but dependent on outside
market conditions
• Growth led to foreign investment
Government (1850-1914)
• Liberal promotion of limited gov created union of
elites & middle-class at expense of peasants
• Foreign investment limited policy options w/
Europe
Culture (1850-1914)
• Elites
– Art heavily influenced by Europe
– Creoles dominated gov
• Mass culture
– Women subordinate in heavily patriarchal culture
– Racial divisions strong despite outlawing
– Art was largely unaffected by elites
Mexico (1850-1914) : Instability
• Juarez: liberal reformer
– Curtailed church & military, reformed land ownership,
caused conservative response
• Maximilian: foreign royal made emperor
– Resented due to foreign heritage & lack of legitimacy
• Diaz: dictator
– Economy transformed using strong gov
– Landowners & middle-class profit at expense of poor
– Foreign influence & social tension spark 1910 revolution
Brazil (1850-1914) : Empire to Republic
• Stability from colonial traditions
• Changes disrupt traditions & stability
– Political tension b/t liberals & conservatives
– Coffee transforms economy & intensifies slavery
– Middle-class, immigration, & modernized plantations
undermine slavery
• Monarchy, stability, & peasant support wither with
new ideas and economic hardship
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
• Latin America followed Atlantic revolutionary
trends, while running against current of European
empire building
• Historical systems & colonial legacies strong
– Culturally & Politically European
– yet, Economic Dependency
• Serves as preview of decolonization in other parts
of world
Question Slide


What common problems arose throughout
the period in a newly independent Latin
America?
What problem do you think is most
fundamental to the region’s issues? Why?