The Problem of Order1825–1890

A. Constitutional Experiments

1. U.S. & Latin American leaders espoused constitutionalism (“inalienable” rights)

2. In U.S. constitutionalism a success…In Latin America, lack of “popular” politics

3. Dominion of Canada (1867)

B. Latin America Political Reform

1. Lack of experience with democracy & elected legislatures: created impractical political institutions

2. Role of the Church?

3. Role of Army & “strong man”?

C. Populist Leaders

1. Successful military leaders in both U.S. & L. America

2. “Personalist” politics more influential in L. America

3. First constitutions of Americas excluded the poor…led to rise of “populist” leaders who articulated desires of the poor…effect?

– leaders undermined constitutional order… dictatorships

D. Populist Leaders

1. Andrew Jackson (U.S.) & José Antonio Páez (Venezuela) challenged constitutional limits

– Páez declared Venezuela’s independence from Gran Colombia in (1829) & ruled as dictator

– Jackson increased powers of presidency

E. Personalist Leader to Dictator1. Personalist leaders “identified” with common

people…

– yet promoted interests of powerful property owners

2. Personalist leaders became dictators due to:

– weaker constitutional tradition– less protection of property rights– lower literacy levels– less developed infrastructure

3. CAUDILLOS:

- by 1830, most of L. America ruled

by caudillos (“strong man”)

- upper classes supported dictatorship

- for lower classes caudillos “normal”

F. Threat of RegionalismL. America: 1. Weak central governments unable to prevent regional

elites taking power

2. Multistate federations failed:

- Central America split from Mexico- Gran Colombia…failed- independence from Argentina

U.S.:1. U.S: slavery divided nation…Confederacy & Civil War

G. Foreign Interventions & Regional Wars

1. 19th-c. invasions by Europeans of Americas:

– national borders– access to natural resources– control of markets

2. By end of 1800s U.S., Brazil, Argentina, & Chile waged wars against their neighbors

3. THE MONROE DOCTRINE

“The American continents…are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” - James Monroe, 1823

H. European Military Intervention

Included:

– British attack on U.S. in War of 1812–English naval blockades of Argentina/Brazil– Spanish & French invasions of Mexico– U.S. war with Spain in 1898–1899

1. French invaded Mexico (1862), established Emperor Maximilian (a Habsburg)

– Benito Juárez Benito Juárez drove out French (1867)

Benito Juárez & Emperor Maximilian

I. Territorial Battles

1. U.S. defeated Mexico & acquired Texas, New Mexico, Arizona & Colorado (1848)

2. Chile defeated Peru & Bolivia (1836–1839 & 1879–1881)

3. Argentina & Brazil war over Uruguay (1820s)

4. Native Americans:

-Indian Removal Act (U.S. 1830)-Mayan “Caste War” in Yucatán (1847)

SUMMARY BEFORE AFTER

POLITICALECONOMIC

SOCIAL

Dictatorship of the Council of the Indies and

the Viceroys

Dictatorship of the Caudillos, strong man rule.

Unequal trade relationship that benefited Spain -

Mercantilism

Unequal trade relationship that benefited Great Britain and the U.S. –

“Spheres of Influence”

Native Spaniards at the top of the social ladder,

followed by creoles, and with the rest of the

population at the bottom

Creoles at the top of the ladder with the rest of the population at the bottom.