Latin America after Independence GH2/Napp

Do Now:

“The United States supported the revolutions in Latin America. In 1822, the United States and Britain became concerned that other European nations might help Spain win back its colonies. Latin American had become a profitable trading market, and Britain and the United States did not want the market shut off by Spain. British leaders wanted the United States to join them in warning European powers to keep out of Latin America. The United States decided to issue a declaration of its own, knowing that Britain’s naval power would enforce it.

In December 1823, President James Monroe included in his yearly address to Congress several points that have become known as the Monroe Doctrine. Monroe stated that the Americas were no longer open for colonization. He also said that any attempt by the European powers to interfere in the affairs of the Americas would be considered ‘as dangerous to our peace and safety.’” ~ Global History

What are three significant points from the passage?

______

Notes:

  1. The Monroe Doctrine
  1. Issued by President James Monroe in 1823
  2. Stated that the Americas were no longer open for colonization
  3. Military force would be used if any European country tried to re-colonize Latin America
  4. Backed up by Britain’s naval strength
  5. Sometimes led to U.S. interference in Latin American politics
  1. Problems After Independence
  1. The Rise of Caudillos

1-Sometimes the military would take over an unpopular government

2-A Caudillo or military dictator would emerge

  1. The Problem of Land

1-Most land was owned by a few wealthy families

2-Needed a fairer distribution of land

3-Peons or poor farmers were unable to escape poverty due to lack of land

  1. The New Class Hierarchy

1-Creoles replaced peninsulares

2-Little else changed

Questions:

  1. What was the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?
  1. Define caudillo.
  1. Who owned most land after independence?
  1. Why were many poor farmers unable to escape poverty?
  1. In the space below, draw a hierarchy of power (triangle) for Latin America’s class system before independence.
  1. In the space below, draw a hierarchy of power (triangle) for Latin America’s class system after independence.

Questions:

  1. What was the Monroe Doctrine? ______
  2. Explain the cartoonist’s use of the Stop Sign. What is the meaning of the Stop Sign and why is it placed near the islands of the Caribbean? ______
  3. What is Europe’s response to the Stop Sign? ______
  4. Which European nations in particular were upset with the Monroe Doctrine? ______
  5. Why would they be upset with the Monroe Doctrine? ______
  6. Do you think the cartoonist effectively portrayed the meaning of the Monroe Doctrine? Explain your answer. ______

The following is a quote from Undersecretary of State Robert Olds (Undersecretary from 1927 – 1928)

"There is no room for any outside influence other than ours in this region. We could not tolerate such a thing without incurring grave risks... Until now Central America has always understood that governments which we recognize and support stay in power, while those which we do not recognize and support fall. Nicaragua has become a test case. It is difficult to see how we can afford to be defeated." ~Undersecretary of State Robert Olds

Explain the meaning of the Undersecretary’s quote: ______

  1. Define caudillo. ______
  2. How did caudillos often come to power? ______
  3. Why did the poor often turn to violence? ______

An Issue of Land Ownership:

  • Chile-

In the early 1990s, commercial farmers cultivated 61% of the farm area, while the poorest farmers, who were three times more numerous, cultivated only 2% of the land.

(Statistic from ruralpovertyportal.org)

  • Guatemala

Land ownership has a markedly skewed distribution: 2.5% of the country’s farms control 65% of agricultural land, while 88% of all farms, with an average size of 1.5 ha, occupy 16% of the land. Approximately 40% of the economically active rural population does not own land.

Questions:

  1. Who owns most land in Chile? ______
  2. How much land to the poorest farmers in Chile own? ______
  3. What percentage of farms control 65% of agricultural land in Guatemala? ______