Economic Imperialism in Latin America
Even after the Latin American Revolution… Latin American countries failed to establish democracies Wealth and power remained in the hands of few Latin American economies depended on more developed countries Most Latin American nations were plagued by revolts, civil war, and dictatorships
Problems in Latin America Problems stem back to Simon Bolivar The existing social and political hierarchy didn’t change Life did not improve after independence Spain and Portugal still fought for control in Latin America Roman Catholic Church still held a great amount of power Countries had new constitutions but there were still inequalities
Search for Stability Regionalism- loyalty to a local area Local people, caudillos, started private small armies to go against central government This led to power struggles and revolts
Conservatives and Liberals Ruling elite were divided between conservatives and liberals Conservatives: defended the traditional social order, favored press censorship, and strongly supported the Catholic Church Liberals: backed Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty, supported laissez-faire economics, religious toleration, and freedom of the press
Mexico’s Struggle for Stability Large landowners, army leaders, and the Catholic Church dominated politics Battles between conservatives and liberals Social divisions between wealthy and poor
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna 1833-1855- Santa Anna allied with Spain during Mexico’s war of independence Posed as a liberal reformer Ruled as a dictator Lost control of the land that is present day Texas, this was a major defeat for Mexico Texas and other lands took advantage of the chaos in Mexico and sought independence Santa Anna was defeated at the Battle of the Alamo Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- ended war between the US and Mexico with Mexico losing almost half of its territory
Benito Juarez Liberal reformer Indian heritage La Reforma- offered hope to oppressed people of Meixco Revised the Mexican constitution and removed military power from the government Ordered the Catholic Church to sell unused lands to peasants
Benito Juarez Conservatives resisted La Reforma and began a civil war Juarez was elected president in 1861 Juarez died in office and never achieved the reforms he envisioned He did separate church and state
Porfirio Diaz Ruled as a dictator Made advances: Strengthened the army, local police, and central government Railroads were built, foreign trade increased, industry developed, mining expanded Rich prospered, poor remained poor Peonage- hacienda owners gave workers advances on their wages, required to stay on hacienda until it was paid off
Colonies of Latin America Mercantilist policies made Latin America economically dependent on Spain and Portugal Colonies sent raw materials and cash crops to the parent country and had to buy manufactured goods Laws prevented colonies from trading with other countries except their parent country
Economy of Latin America Foreign goods were prevalent in Latin America Latin American countries depended on exporting Parent countries invested in railroads Thanks to trade, investment, technology, and migration- Latin American nations moved into the world economy
Economy of Latin America Latin American countries developed mining and agriculture Chile exported copper and nitrates; Argentina exported livestock, wheat; Brazil exported coffee and rubber Many industries will fail to develop
Monroe Doctrine 1820s- Spain wanted to reclaim its colonies from the US Britain opposed other countries beginning to trade with Latin America Britain and the US teamed together to oppose new colonization to the Americas
Monroe Doctrine Pres. James Monroe stated that no more colonies would be made Document said no more colonies could be formed on American continents US gained military support from Britain to carry out the doctrine
US Expands After the Mexican American War- US acquired California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
Spanish-American War War between Spain and US over Cuba Spain originally colonized Cuba US wanted Cuba as independent War ended in Spanish defeat Platt Amendment- amendment gave US naval bases in Cuba US acquired Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam and Cuba was granted independence
US intervention in Latin America 1904- Roosevelt Corollary- US claimed “international police power” US sent troops to Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other countries in Central America and Caribbean
Dollar Diplomacy American countries still invested in Latin America US sent troops to Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other countries in Latin America
Panama Canal US wanted to build a canal across Central America Canal would let American warships move between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans faster Panama belonged to Columbia- Columbia did not agree to the idea Panama no longer wanted to belong to Columbia- started battle Panama became independent and the US built the canal