Essay About Political Culture And Political Parties

Imperialism In Latin America
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IMPERIALISM IN LATIN AMERICA
Wars for Independence
most gained independence in early 19th century
leaders political culture shaped by Enlightenment
but, colonial heritage did not include participatory govt.
class and regional interests divided nations
wealth was unevenly distributed
rise of industrial capitalism placed L A in a dependent economic position
Old and New Problems
shared Enlightenment political and economic ideals
less agreement about role of Catholic Church as exclusive state religion
some leaders had egalitarian beliefs
slavery abolished in former Spanish colonies by 1854
better treatment of Indians and Mestizos blocked by elites fears of losing tax revenue and control
property and literacy qualifications limited voting
women remained subordinate to men
mass of the people were outside of the political process
Caudillos, Politics, and the Church
armies loyal to their leaders led to rise of caudillos, men who controlled local areas
caudillos intervened in national politics to make and unmake govts
usually disregarded representative forms and rule of law
differences about forms of republican govt
centralists vs. federalists
liberals stressed individual rights, opposed corporate structure of colonial society, and favored federalist govt
conservatives favored centralized state and wished to maintain a society where corporate groups ruled social action
role of Church
liberals-limit its civil role
conservatives-keep its civil role
political parties led by landowners and urban middle class argued about liberal or conservative ideas, but shared basic class loyalties
rest of population not concerned with political ideologies
result was enduring political instability, with rapid turnovers of rulers and constitutions
only Chile and Brazil had general stability
alliance of Church, landowners, army and peasantry emerged to oppose change in mid 19th century
latter 19th century the liberals returned to power
Economies and World Markets, 1820-1870
Britain and U S supported