1. Economic Imperialism in Latin America

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. US Expands
After the Mexican American War- US acquired California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado

17. 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

18. 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

19. Dollar Diplomacy American countries still invested in Latin America
US sent troops to Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other countries in Latin America

20. 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