Nation Building in Latin America

Social Structure in Latin America

• Peninsulares- held all important positions

• Creoles- descendents of Europeans born in Latin America- seen as 2nd class citizens

• Mestizos- worked as servants or laborers-largest group

REVOLTS!

• Revolutionary ideas in Latin America were sparked by the successes of revolutions in North America

Mexico

• Miguel Hidalgo-priest, influenced by French revolution, rallied Native Americans and Mestizos

• Formed mob army and attacked Spaniards on September 16, 1810 (still Mexico’s independence day)

• Peninsulares and creoles scared and went along with everyone to overthrow the Spanish

• Mexico independent from Spain in 1821.

South America

• Both led major revolts and were considered

“Liberators of South America”

Jose de San Martin of Argentina

Simon Bolivar of Venezuela

• By the end of 1824, – Peru– Uruguay– Paraguay– Colombia– Venezuela– Argentina– Bolivia– Chile

All became free states!!!

• Central American states became independent in 1823.

• Divided into 5 republics in 1838 and 1839.

Monroe Doctrine

• Pres. James Monroe upset with British interest in Latin America after the Spanish left and declared,“henceforth not to be

considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers”

Bold move at the time, especially considering the size of the British navy!

James Monroe

Issues• Had trouble acting as independent nations• Border disputes• Lack of railroads, sufficient road systems• Wars resulted in loss of people, property and

livestock• National unity• Lack of political experience• Wealth often in the hands of a select few• Often new nations became dependent on

western nations as they had during the colonial period

U.S. involvement in Latin America

• Cuba becomes U.S. protectorate

• Puerto Rico annexed to the U.S.– Both results of Spanish-American War

• U.S. supports Panama rebellion that allowed Panama to separate from Columbia– U.S. builds Panama

Canal

• U.S. becomes huge force throughout Latin America– Military forces were sent all over Latin

America to “protect America’s interests”

Many Latin American nations began to resent the “big bully” to the north.

Economic Change• After 1870, Latin America began an age of

prosperity due to the export a few basic items– Argentina = wheat and beef– Brazil = coffee– Central America = bananas– Peru = sugar and silver

• Middle sectors of society began to grow– These were the educated, with decent

incomes that wanted a reform, not a revolution