v Three National Histories => Argentina, Mexico, & Brazil

Ø Constitute 50+% of land, population, & wealth (Map)

§ National histories illustrate general historic themes

Ø Argentina (from independence to WWII)

§ History divided into three major eras:

· 1. 1810-1850: Rebellion to Regional Identity

¨ Struggle among regions for political dominance

· 2. 1853-1915: $$$ expansion & European immigration

· 3. 1916-1943: failure of democracy & $$$ struggle

¨ Ramifications of dependent export economy

§ Buenos Aires vs. The Provinces: Portenos vs. Provincials

· Who eventually dominated & why?

Ø Impact of trade on Rio de la Plata

Ø Control of Int’l. Customhouse (why important?)

· Treaty of 1823 w/Britain & its economic significance

¨ Intermeshing of trade & finance between two nations

· Caudillo rule & role of Jan Manuel Rosas (pix 767)

¨ Strongman tactics of repression – no dissent allowed

Ø Ear of corn activities

¨ Political compromise forged:

Ø Buenos Aires controls FP, trade, & Customhouse

Ø Other Provinces to retain control over own affairs

§ Expansion & growth of Republic – Rosas’ fate in 1852?

· 1853: Federal constitution formed Argentine Republic

¨ Buenos Aires status until 1859?

Ø 1880 made distinct federal province=> capitol

Ø 1900: economic prosperity=> new prominence

· Main basis of Republic’s economy?- Chief export?

¨ Impact of La Frigiorique (large cargoes to Europe)

¨ Wheat also become major export

· “Conquest of the Desert” (Julio Roca)- motivation?

¨ land acquisition made simple & cheap by Gov.

Ø large estates became larger

Ø tenant farmers work land for estate owners

¨ Brit R/R transport wheat from Pampas to coast

¨ Growing $$$ link between large landowners & Brits

· Beef & wheat exports make Argentina very prosperous

¨ Result: attractive economic opportunity presented:

Ø 100Ks of Euro immigrants flock to Argentina

§ provide labor for food processing & transport

§ also have political & social impact – what?

· Later – rise of nationalism of immigrant kids

· Impact of economic prosperity on political discontent?

¨ Potential conflict of interests- elite vs. urban labor

§ The Rise of the Military

· Irigoyen’s “reformist” Radical Party=> corrupt

· Global commodity prices decline

· 1930: military overthrows Irigoyen

¨ Return power to conservative civilian rule

· Argentina still heavily dependent on Brit export market

¨ US also becoming more economically influential

· Nacionalismo Movement

¨ Comprise right wing writers, pundits, & politicians

¨ Similar to which European movement in Italy?

¨ Motive: reduce economic dependence on Brits & US

Ø Reject liberalism – spread fear of communism

Ø Position on Catholic Church & Jews?

Ø Anti-imperialist, socially concerned, authoritarian

¨ Model: “modern” Caudillo – admire Rosas example

¨ Impact of WWII on export market?

Ø Economic crisis => Army seizes control in 1943

· The role of military officer corps

¨ Military officers influenced by Nazi & Fascists ideas

Ø Reject European liberalism & hostile to Britain

¨ Aim: solve social probs, industrialize, reduce $$ link

· Jaun Peron - embodiment of 20^th century caudillo

¨ Peron mobilizes urban poor discontent=> Peronism

Ø Authoritarian, militaristic, anti-communistic,

§ Socially progressive – working class appeal

§ Very effective in harnessing worker discontent

· Gained trade union support

Ø Cultivated image as voice of working class

¨ Eva Peron=> Evita!

Ø Former actress with immense popular appeal

§ Peasants, working class women, trade unions

· Established & exploited cult of personality

· (Class from which she came- see Box 769)

§ Effective advisor to her husband - social issues

Ø Mexico

§ Failed social revolutions of Hidalgo & Morelos (1811/15)

§ Creole elite rebellion against Spanish Crown (1820)

· Establishment of conservative government until 1910

§ Then far reaching revolution in stark contrast to norm

§ Turmoil Follows Independence (1820-1823)

· Initial failed attempt at monarchy=> followed by:

¨ Succession of caudillo presidents from Army

· Role of Santa Anna

¨ Most notable & most slippery

Ø Political opportunists w/flexible principle/policies

Ø Key objective: retain power at all costs

¨ Usually supported conservative political & social int

¨ Dictator driven from &returned to pwr several times

¨ Defeated by W. Scott in battle during Mexican War

· La Reforma- mid century movement against Santa Ana

¨ Aim: political stability & civilian rule

Ø $$$ policy to attract Foreign invest. &immigrants

¨ Strategy: Land reform=> break up large estates

Ø Established small farms from break-up

Ø Targeted against whom – primarily?

Ø Practical effect of “reform” laws enacted?

· Hacienda System

¨ Inefficient system of agricultural production

Ø Farming left in “backwater” condition

¨ Generated political instability & $$$ stagnation=>

Ø Gold & silver used as exchange=> capital flight

¨ Impact of cheap imports on local industrialization?

Ø Primitive transport system exacerbates situation

¨ Government solution to address revenue shortfall?

Ø Impact of interests payments & deficit spending?

§ Foreign Intervention

· Political weakness & $ chaos present opportunity

¨ US covets NW Mexico (Map)

· Austin invited to colonize Texas (exploited)

¨ Santa Ana policies stir resentment=> rebellion-1835

Ø Remember the Alamo (and they did) =>

· Texas Independence

¨ Battle of Jacinto=> Houston defeats Santa Ana

¨ Texans declare independence – Mexico disputes

Ø Texans seek statehood – hotly debated in US

§ Major issue of concern=> slavery expansion

Ø US annexes Texas (1845)=>“Polk’s war” follows

§ Victory=> Treat of Hidalgo & US gains (Map)

· Benito Juarez (pix 771)

¨ Impact of Juarez’s temporary liberal victory in 1861

¨ Conservatives & clerics invitation to the Hapsburgs

Ø Emperor Maximilian & Napoleon III’s assistance

§ Napoleon viewed himself as Church’s defender

§ 1862: France invades Mexico

§ 1864: Maximilian becomes Mexico’s Emperor

§ 1867: Jaurez mounts heavy resistance

· Conquers Mexico & executes Maximilian

· Significance: exposed vulnerability to Foreign invasion

§ Diaz and Dictatorship(pix 774)

· Liberals restored to power & persecute Church

¨ Liberal in power lack popular support

Ø liberal general sees opportunity

Ø Takes control of Presidency (1876-1911)

· Diaz maintains most successful LATAM dictatorship

¨ Plays one side off other & steers between

¨ Landowners get to buy public lands cheap

¨ Army strongly favored

¨ Made peace w/Church

Ø (doesn’t enforce anti-cleric laws & measures)

¨ Rich get richer & Mexico seen as good credit risk

· Revolution

¨ Seeds of discontent=> Problems go unresolved:

Ø Peasants still want land reform

§ resent growing power of land lords

Ø Food supplies dwindle=> malnourishment

Ø Labor unrest=> strikes in Textiles & mines

Ø Military suppress workers

Ø Inflation rises while wages fall

Ø 1907 Panic in US disrupts Mexican $$$

Ø 1910: Mexican economy unraveling

¨ Madero

Ø “Effective Suffrage- No Reelection” fails

Ø led insurrection & drives Diaz into exile (1911)

Ø Elected president & gives workers right to strike

§ But disappoints with no agrarian reform

§ Result: distrusted by both sides

¨ Pancho Villa (North) & Emiliano Zapata (South)

Ø Radical agrarian reformers emerge in response

§ Stimulate mass peasant following (pix 776)

Ø Zapata’s “Plan of Ayala” (1911) – (Box – p775)

Ø Madero squeezed between two sides-grows weak

Ø Gen Huerta w/US help overthrows Madero(1913)

¨ Carranza=> wealthy landowner joins Villa’s cause

Ø Soon heads Constitutional Army

§ Aim: restoration of Constitutional Government

§ 1914: enters Mexico City as victors

§ Power struggle ensues & Carranza wins

· Astute political skills edge out Villa

Ø The Constitution of 1917:

§ Ongoing social revolution & political reform

· (more rhetorical political aspiration)

§ Articles 27 & 123

· Art. 27: State own water & minerals (oil)

¨ Abrogated all pre-revolutionary contracts

· Art. 123: Labor right to organize

Ø Carranza & supporters’ Aims & achievements:

§ Modernize Mexico’s politics

§ Attract capital investment

§ Established precedent for future leaders

§ “enlightened paternalism” of middle class elite

Ø Turmoil follows:

§ 1919: Zapata killed in ambush

§ 1920: Carranza assassinated

§ 1923: Villa assassinated

¨ Succession of Carranza’s generals follow

Ø Brazil

§ Significant contrast with rest of LATAM?

§ Stable monarchy first 67 years of independence

§ Pedro I (1822-1831)

· From Regent to King of Brazil

· Arrogant rule w/patronage to Portuguese courtiers

¨ Forced to abdicate in 1831

§ Pedro II

· Succeeds father under Regency & political uncertainty

· 1840: assumes power & shows great promise

¨ Effective use of Patronage & balanced ministries

¨ Political stability under constitutional monarchy

· Downside: few economic initiatives taken

§ The Slavery Issue

· Sugar’s role in maintaining slavery-profit margin

¨ Plantation owners resistant to change

¨ Inefficient use of land & farm methods

· King Coffee’s role- 1850=> replaced sugar

¨ Coffee profit margin’s impact on planters=>

Ø Planters view of their national economic position

Ø Reception to emancipation “in future”?

· The Paraguayan War (1865-1870)

¨ Brazil, Argentina, & Uruguay vs. Paraguay (Lopez)

Ø Causes: dispute over borders & coastal ports

§ Access of who to lower Plate river? (Map)

§ What finally ended war? Result?

¨ Impact on slavery issue (on hold)

· Abolishing Slavery & the role of Pedro’s daughter

¨ War’s end place slavery back on front burner

¨ Growing abolition movement

¨ Pedro II’s position? (law of 1871 practical effect?)

¨ Public figures & military officers’ position?(p778)