January 7, 2011
Do Now: Create a list of reasons on the
board as to why Latin America catches
“the postcolonial blues”
Objectives:
1.
Review homework
2.
Discuss the importance of the
tortilla
3.
Begin discussing the postcolonial
blues
Homework: Bring in a current events
article on Monday to present

Where did it come from?

What is it made out of?
◦ Traditionally made by soaking corn kernels in lime,
and then grinding into a dough
◦ Dough is called “masa”

Staple food of Latin America

Frances Calderón de la Barca—”[Mexico City was]
one of the noblest-looking cities in the world”
◦ “The common Indians, who we see every day bringing
their fruit and vegetables to market, are, generally
speaking, very plain, with a humble, mild expression of
countenance, very gentle and wonderfully polite in their
manners to each other”

Yet, there was still a negative tinge
◦ “When I say they read, I mean they know how to read;
when I say they write, I do not mean they can always
spell.”
“…the first postcolonial
generation saw Latin America
going nowhere fast.”



What are the defining characteristics of
liberalism?
“split personality of Latin America”
Concept of “legal equality for all citizens” vs.
reality of hierarchy

Caste distinctions left legal records

Slavery receded

Formalized, but not formally practiced

“[Liberal leaders] had mixed feelings about
‘the people.’ They considered indigenous
people and their lands a national problem,
never a national asset.”


Challenged liberal agenda
Proclaimed commoners should know their
place and allow elites to govern

Traditionalism

Issue of church and state


How do you make this concept into a reality?
Beginning of partisan politics—never had that
before

Silver mines wrecked
Little external investment
Lack of experience
Lack of control of import/export trade
Lack of transportation infrastructure

And overall…very little money!




Rebuilding
governments
No trust
Lack of
authority/legitimacy

“The rapid fall of Latin America’s first
republican governments further undermined
their legitimacy and set a tragic precedent, as
one constitutional president after another
was overthrown militarily.”

Punctuality

Preparedness—book, notebook, pencil, etc.

Participation

Presence—are you there and owning it?

Personal responsibility—homework, did you
help others, did you make excuses, etc.

Current events article on your country to
present on Monday