Kenneth's Ch 30 Outline, Pt 1

Kenneth Li Euro Hist 6th Period 12-5-07 Ch. 30 pg 836-850 I. Search for Political Stability 1) New independent states of Latin America had little or no experience in selfgovernment. i) Spanish Empire ruled directly by monarchy. 2) Monarchical and paternalistic heritage survived in 2 forms. i) Many traditionalists and conservatives favored establishment of kings. ii) Productivity of Latin American political elites to tolerate or actively support strong executives. iii) Caudillos were leaders that can consolidate own power. iv) They usually came from army officer corps or strong ties to army. 3) Dictatorial government was accepted simply to ensure political stability when republican regimes floundered. i) National caudillos might reach compromise with various regional caudillos. 4) These strongmen found little opposition b/c of repressive policies. i) Dictators became more skilled at both repression and patronage. ii) Political and social elites also rallied their support when young labor movement called strikes. 5) Caudillos were forced from office, regimens that replaced them were neither genuinely liberal nor democratic. i) Parliamentary governments usually ruled by courtesy of military and economic interest of existing elites. II. Three National Histories A. Argentina 1) From rebellion against Spain in 1810 until mid-century, question of which region of nation would dominate political and economic life was foremost. i) From 1853-1916, Argentina experienced economic expansion and large scale immigration. ii) From 1916-1943, Argentines failed to make democratic state and struggled with ramifications of economy. B. Buenos Aires versus the Provinces 1) In 1810, junta in Buenos Aires overturned Spanish government in viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata. i) Conflict between Buenos Aires and other provinces dominated first 70 years of Argentine history. ii) Story of portenos, inhabitants of Buenos Aires versus provincials. iii) Buenos Aires developed primacy b/c of capacity to dominate trade. 2) Bernardino Rivadavia wanted to make liberal political state but couldn’t overcome centrifugal forces of regionalism.

i) Major accomplishment was commercial treaty in 1823 that established Great Britain as dominant trading partner. ii) Strongman of province of Buenos Aires was Juan Manuel de Rosas. iii) Negotiated Pact of the Littoral; made Buenos Aires able to put charge in foreign relations, trade, and customhouse. iv) Rosas tolerated no dissent, no civil liberties, and no political power except for his own. C. Expansion and Growth of the Republic 1) In 1852 Justo Jose de Urquiza, the candillo of state of Entre Rios overthrew Rosas. i) Buenos Aires remained aloof until republic conquered province. ii) In 1880, city of Buenos Aires was made distinct federal province, separate from its rich hinterland. 2) The Argentine economy was overwhelmingly agricultural. i) Transportation was poor. ii) In 1876 first refrigerator ship, La Frigiorique, went to Buenos Aires. 3) In 1879 and 1880, government army under General Julio Roca. i) Carried out major campaign against Indian population known as Conquest of the Desert. ii) Government policy made purchase of land for Argentines simple and cheap. iii) Predominance both of large landowners and foreign business interests thus continued throughout most significant economic transformation. 4) Argentina was one of wealthiest nations in Latin America. i) Immigrants provided workers for food-processing, service, and transportation. ii) Became much more urbanized and industrialized. iii) Moreover, children of 19th century immigrants often became strongest Argentine nationalists. 5) Prosperity of economic expansion quieted most political opposition for some time. i) Similar to groups elsewhere, ignored social questions raised by urbanization. ii) Also ignored political aspirations of urban middle and pro class. 6) 4 years later, Hipolito Irigoyen, leader of Radical Party, elected president. i) Remained neutral in World War I. ii) Nonetheless, war put great pressure on economy. iii) Most violent labor clash occurred in January 1919. iv) Semana Tragica, or Tragic Week, is the clash name. v) Radical Party attempted to consolidate support among conservatives and pursued policies.