Latin America since Independence: Two Centuries of Continuity and Change (Latin American Silhouettes)

This book offers an innovative, thematic approach to the history of Latin America since independence. It traces continuity and change in colonial legacies that became central political issues following independence: authoritarian governance; a rigid social hierarchy based on race, color, and gender; the powerful Roman Catholic Church; economic dependency; and the large landed estate. Generally, liberals have sought to modify or abolish these legacies in the interest of what they consider progress, while conservatives have attempted to preserve them as much as possible as bastions of their power and privilege. Examining the evolution of these colonial legacies across two centuries reveals the processes that formed the political systems, economies, societies, and religious institutions that characterize Latin America today. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments Thomas Wright: Robert Smale: Acronyms Introduction Part I: Colonial Roots Chapter 1: Origins of the Colonial Legacies The Clash of Two Worlds Authoritarian Governance The Powerful Roman Catholic Church A Rigid Social Hierarchy Economic Dependency The Large Landed Estate Colonial Latin America in Context Further Reading Notes Part II: Independence and its Challenges, 1790s –1870s Chapter 2: The Independence of Latin America Background to Independence Spain and Spanish America Independence in Mexico Central American Independence Independence Wars in Spanish South America The Independence of Brazil The Challenges of Independence Further Reading Notes Chapter 3: The Age of Caudillos Economic and Political Issues The Caudillos The Exceptions: Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay The Colonial Legacies as Political Issues, 1820s–1870s Further Reading Notes Part III: Exports, Oligarchies, and Yankees, 1870s-1930 Chapter 4: The Export Economies The Global Economy and Latin America Economic and Social Impacts of the Export Sectors The Price of Progress: Economic Dependency Deepened The Export Economies and Indigenous Peoples The End of African Slavery Further Reading Notes Chapter 5: Political Consolidation and Social Change Positivism Long-Term Dictatorships: Mexico and Venezuela Elected Oligarchic Regimes: Costa Rica and Brazil Other Patterns of Political Evolution: Colombia and Peru New Groups, New Challenges The Eclipse of Oligarchic Dominance: Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile Further Reading Notes Chapter 6: Rise of the Yankee Prelude to Empire The Construction of Empire Latin American Reactions to the New Empire Further Reading Notes Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1870s–1930 Part IV: Revolution, Depression, and Cold War, 1930–1959 Chapter 7: The Mexican Revolution Background to Revolution: The Porfiriato Francisco Madero From Madero to Chaos A Blueprint for Revolution Reconstruction and Gradualism, 1917–1934 Revolution, 1934–1940: The Cárdenas Presidency From Revolution to Evolution: The Mexican Miracle Further Reading Notes Chapter 8: Depression, Political Change, and Cold War Depression, Industrialization, and Workers Militarism Populism Women’s Suffrage The Bolivian Revolution The Cold War in Latin America Further Reading Notes Part V: The Era of the Cuban Revolution, 1959–1990 Chapter 9: The Cuban Revolution Cuba Between Spain and Castro Fidel Castro: From the Moncada Barracks to the Sierra Maestra Castro’s Competition and Batista’s Fall The Question of Communism The Domestic Revolution Revolution and the Catholic Church Challenging Economic Dependency The Revolution in Foreign Relations The Appeal of the Cuban Revolution Further Reading Notes Chapter 10: The Cuban Revolution, Latin America, and the United States Fidelismo U.S. Responses Rural Guerrilla Warfare Liberation Theology Urban Guerrilla Warfare: Uruguay’s Tupamaros Peru: A Military Revolution Chile: Revolution by the Ballot Box Nicaragua: Revolution by Insurrection Further Reading Notes Chapter 11: Repression, State Terrorism, and Neoliberalism State Terrorism State Terrorism in Brazil, Uruguay, and Peru State Terrorism in Chile and Argentina State Terrorism in Central America Neoliberalism Further Reading Notes Chapter 11: Reflections on the Colonial Legacies, 1959–2000 Part VI: Latin America in the New Millennium Chapter 12: The Colonial Legacies in the Twenty-First Century A New Era of Democracy Democratization in Mexico Fortifying Democracy: Fighting Poverty Fortifying Democracy: Women’s Empowerment Military Withdrawal from Governance The Pink Tide Gays and Lesbians Emerge Decline of the Catholic Church Authoritarianism Resurgent Cuba in Transition Further Reading Notes Conclusion Select Bibliography Index "This book offers an innovative, thematic approach to the history of Latin America since independence. It traces continuity and change in colonial legacies, showing how crucial they have been in shaping contemporary political systems, economies, societies, and religious institutions in a richly diverse region"-- Provided by publisher Colonial Roots -- Independence and Its Challenges, 1790s-1870s -- Exports, Oligarchies, and Yankees, 1870s-1930 -- Revolution, Depression, and Cold War, 1930-1959 -- Revolution and Reaction, 1959-2000 -- Contemporary Latin America, 2000-Present