Struggles in Latin America
9th and 10th Grade Informational Reading Texts
In the early years of the 20th century, Latin America experienced a booming economy due to its exports largely existing of natural resources and cash crops. In exchange, produced goods were purchased from the industrialized nations from which Latin America was trading. Stable governments such as Argentina and Uruguay (who had democratic governments) helped keep the region's economy on solid ground. Unfortunately, military dictatorships in some nations and wealthy landowners held the real power. Economic benefits tended to be isolated to the small ruling class while the growing middle class and lower classes (workers and peasants) had no say in their own government. Both political and economic inequalities weighed heavily on many Latin American nations but in Mexico, those inequalities led to situations that eventually brought about an explosive revolution.
By 1910, the dictator of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz, had ruled Mexico for 35 years, leading Mexico to experience peace and economic growth through the welcoming of foreign investors who improved the extraction of natural resources and transportation systems within the country. However, by 1910, unrest by peasants, workers, and the urban middle class had boiled over. Francisco Madero, a liberal reformer from an elite family demanded free elections. Diaz saw rebellion in several parts of the country and resigned in 1911. A bloody, complicated struggle soon began that engulfed the entire nation. By 1917, Venustiano Carranza was elected president of Mexico who reluctantly approved a new constitution that included multiple land and labor reforms.
Mexico's revolutionary attempt to reclaim greater control over its natural resources reflected a familiar spirit of nationalism that pervaded Latin America; much of the focus involved ending economic dependence by industrialized nations (mainly the U.S. and Britain), but political and cultural independence were also common goals behind many revolutions of the time that occurred around the globe.
In the decades after WWI, world events greatly impacted economies in Latin American nations. The Great Depression that started in the U.S. and spread throughout the world led to a huge drop in the demand for Latin American exports which in turn led to the decline of Latin American economies. Economic nationalism, the emphasis on domestic control and protection of a nation's own economy, swept most Latin American nations. The goal of each nation was to develop its own industries to lessen dependence on products from other countries. Cooperation between business and government leaders was essential for economic nationalism to work. Local entrepreneurs established factories for the production of goods while governments also invested in new businesses with some even taking a more aggressive approach and taking over foreign owned assets. Although attempts at establishing economic nationalism were partially successful, the unequal distribution of wealth is the factor that held back economic development.
One effect of the economic crises faced by many Latin American nations was a shift in public opinion with regard to political leadership. Many lost faith in the ruling oligarchies and European, liberal ideas of government. In response, stronger, authoritarian governments of different types replaced liberal oligarchies in the hopes that each country's economy could be more effectively controlled, directed, and likewise, protected.
During the 1920s, many artists, writers, and thinkers in Latin America began to reject European cultural influences. Instead, cultural nationalism--pride in one's own country became a unique cultural blend of Western and native traditions. In the 1920s and 1930s, many Mexican muralists (artists who paint murals) such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Jose Clemente Orozco created spectacular works that portrayed the struggles of Mexicans for liberty.
After WWI, while British investments in Latin America declined, U.S. investments soared. To protect its investments, the United States took on the role of international policeman--restoring order between two arguing factions, when it felt U.S. interests had been threatened. By the 1930s, as anti-American sentiments had increased in Latin America, President Roosevelt took a new approach. Known as the Good Neighbor Policy, the U.S. promised to interfere less in Latin American affairs. After the policy was enacted, the U.S. withdrew troops stationed in Haiti and Nicaragua. The Platt Amendment, which had limited Cuban independence, was lifted and the President supported Mexico's nationalization of its oil companies. the Good Neighbor Policy went a long way toward improving relations between Latin America and the United States along with strengthening Latin American nationalism.
By 1910, the dictator of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz, had ruled Mexico for 35 years, leading Mexico to experience peace and economic growth through the welcoming of foreign investors who improved the extraction of natural resources and transportation systems within the country. However, by 1910, unrest by peasants, workers, and the urban middle class had boiled over. Francisco Madero, a liberal reformer from an elite family demanded free elections. Diaz saw rebellion in several parts of the country and resigned in 1911. A bloody, complicated struggle soon began that engulfed the entire nation. By 1917, Venustiano Carranza was elected president of Mexico who reluctantly approved a new constitution that included multiple land and labor reforms.
Mexico's revolutionary attempt to reclaim greater control over its natural resources reflected a familiar spirit of nationalism that pervaded Latin America; much of the focus involved ending economic dependence by industrialized nations (mainly the U.S. and Britain), but political and cultural independence were also common goals behind many revolutions of the time that occurred around the globe.
In the decades after WWI, world events greatly impacted economies in Latin American nations. The Great Depression that started in the U.S. and spread throughout the world led to a huge drop in the demand for Latin American exports which in turn led to the decline of Latin American economies. Economic nationalism, the emphasis on domestic control and protection of a nation's own economy, swept most Latin American nations. The goal of each nation was to develop its own industries to lessen dependence on products from other countries. Cooperation between business and government leaders was essential for economic nationalism to work. Local entrepreneurs established factories for the production of goods while governments also invested in new businesses with some even taking a more aggressive approach and taking over foreign owned assets. Although attempts at establishing economic nationalism were partially successful, the unequal distribution of wealth is the factor that held back economic development.
One effect of the economic crises faced by many Latin American nations was a shift in public opinion with regard to political leadership. Many lost faith in the ruling oligarchies and European, liberal ideas of government. In response, stronger, authoritarian governments of different types replaced liberal oligarchies in the hopes that each country's economy could be more effectively controlled, directed, and likewise, protected.
During the 1920s, many artists, writers, and thinkers in Latin America began to reject European cultural influences. Instead, cultural nationalism--pride in one's own country became a unique cultural blend of Western and native traditions. In the 1920s and 1930s, many Mexican muralists (artists who paint murals) such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Jose Clemente Orozco created spectacular works that portrayed the struggles of Mexicans for liberty.
After WWI, while British investments in Latin America declined, U.S. investments soared. To protect its investments, the United States took on the role of international policeman--restoring order between two arguing factions, when it felt U.S. interests had been threatened. By the 1930s, as anti-American sentiments had increased in Latin America, President Roosevelt took a new approach. Known as the Good Neighbor Policy, the U.S. promised to interfere less in Latin American affairs. After the policy was enacted, the U.S. withdrew troops stationed in Haiti and Nicaragua. The Platt Amendment, which had limited Cuban independence, was lifted and the President supported Mexico's nationalization of its oil companies. the Good Neighbor Policy went a long way toward improving relations between Latin America and the United States along with strengthening Latin American nationalism.