Late 19th century and

20th centuries Snapshot

Latin America

& Mexico

(after independence)

Political Changes

• After independence, Nations and Regions in Latin America separated after revolutions:– Gran Colombia– Bolivia and Peru– United Provinces of

Central America

Political Continuities• Caudillo Political Leadership

– Military leaders who rose to power

– Many became dictators

• Importance of the military– Military leadership took control

to end chaos or solve problems others couldn’t solve.

Economic Continuities• Plantation then estate

agriculture for export was a base of the economies.

• Dependency on the West– Western markets

determined Latin American exports

– Latin America was dependent on Western investment and manufactured goods.

– Limited industrialization

Dollar Diplomacy (creating “Banana Republics”)

• Western companies gained considerable political influence.– Was the United

Fruit Company in Central America like the British East India Company?

Economic Changes

• Mining and early oil industry began

• Extension of road and rail networks

• World Wars and Economic depression created major disruptions in LA economies.

Continuity in Latin America – US involvement

Effects of the Great Depression on Latin America

• Foreign investments and purchases declined

• The liberals were discredited and so was laissez-faire capitalism

• Violent coups in 12 countries.

Responses to the Economic Crisis• Socialism or

corporatism – the govt. controlled the economy to mediate the interests of different groups

• Fascism & nationalism

• Reforms to include more groups in govt. and economy.

Effects of World Wars on Latin America• Import substitution

industrialization – growth in industry in Latin America to manufacture what had been imported

• Distrust of Western ideas of government and economy. Growth of . . .– Socialism/communism– Liberation theology