1. 19 th Century Latin America “Between Revolutions” Chapter 26 Section 4 GRAB A BOOK and join me on Pgs. 658-662 EQ: How did Latin America develop politically and economically after independence in the early 19 th century?

2. The Roots of Imperialism During the 1800s, most Latin American nations were plagued by revolts, civil war, and dictatorships. Many problems had their origins in colonial rule, as independence barely changed the existing social and political hierarchy. Creoles – Spanish born in the colonies who owned the land (plantations) and mines Mestizos (mix between Spanish and native) and Mulatto (mix between Spanish or native and African) Any full blooded native or African was the lowest class With few roads and no traditions of unity, the new nations were weakened by regionalism, loyalty to a local area.

3. Legacy of Imperialism Under colonial rule, mercantilist policies made Latin America economically dependent on Spain and Portugal. After independence, this pattern changed very little. The region remained as economically dependent as before. While the US and Europe emerge as industrial powers in the 19 th C, Latin America finds its role as mainly a supplier of raw materials Economic dependence occurs when less-developed nations export raw materials and commodities to industrial nations and import manufactured goods, capital, and technological know-how. The relationship is unequal because the more developed — and wealthier nation — can control prices and terms of trade.

4. Legacy of Imperialism Latin American free nations became dependent on trading single large cash products with the US and Europe Ex. Brazil & Colombia = Coffee Ex. Venezuela & Mexico = Oil (late 1800s, early 1900s) Ex. Central American nations = Bananas = “Banana Republics” Foreigners came to invest, but mostly associated with only the elites classes (creoles), leading to a large disparity in wealth Map on page 660

5. The Mexican Struggle Mexico was divided politically by three groups: 1) landowners, 2) the Catholic Church and 3) military leaders (caudillos) who supported landowners Social divisions separated these groups from the average mestizos and native Indians (the majority of the population) who lived in poverty…these peoples were subject to the will of the 3 major groups Add to the social problems, some new country to the north (US) was picking away territory from Mexico, causing the people to lose faith in Mexico’s military government (Mexican War/Mexican Cession)

6. La Reforma Benito Juarez seized power in 1855 and began official reform of Mexico. He was elected Mexico’s first president in 1861. His government preceded to strip power from the military and the church and attempted to sell more land to the peasants He was met with resistance from the wealthy land owner Creoles of Mexico who felt threatened by his attempts to take away their land

7. The Mexican Empire??? The Creole landowners turned to Europe for help against Juarez In 1863, emperor Napoleon III of France sent troops and Maximilian of Austria to rule over Mexico His reign lasted 4 short years (he was abandoned by the French and murdered by the Mexicans) In 1867, Juarez was back in power though he died by 1872, and his reforms go completely unfulfilled

8. A New Regime General Porfirio Diaz, a hero of the war against France, assumed the presidency 1876-1880 and 1884-1911 he ruled like a benevolent dictator, “in the name of Order and Progress” He re-strengthened the military, created a police state and brutally crushed any opposition Diaz did help to expand Mexico economically He built a strong railroad, drilled for oil and began industrialization BUT, he let foreign investors and other countries exploit these resources and simply pay him and his cronies tribute for their effort THOUGH, Mexico continued the social disparage > wealthy landowners and poor peasants Eventually, Mexico would AGAIN fail prey to yet ANOTHER revolution…

9. For remainder of time/homework… Chapter 26 sec 4 Puzzle Chapter 26 sec 4 reading quiz “Our America” reading w/questions REMINDER: Presentations on Modern Latin America December 15, 16 and 17!