Latin America

Definition

Latin America refers to the regions in the Americas where Romance languages, primarily Spanish and Portuguese, are spoken. This area includes countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean, and it plays a significant role in global history, particularly during the Age of Absolutism and the rise of constitutionalism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Age of Absolutism, many Latin American countries were under colonial rule by European powers, mainly Spain and Portugal, which shaped their political structures and social hierarchies.
2. The Enlightenment ideas of liberty and governance influenced Creole leaders in Latin America to seek independence from European colonial powers, leading to various revolutionary movements throughout the early 19th century.
3. Latin American societies were characterized by a rigid class system that included peninsulares (those born in Spain/Portugal), Creoles, mestizos, and Indigenous peoples, which created tensions that contributed to independence movements.
4. The struggles for independence in Latin America were often marked by significant military conflicts and the establishment of new governments that sought to implement constitutional frameworks while dealing with internal divisions.
5. Post-independence, many Latin American nations faced challenges such as political instability, economic dependency on foreign powers, and ongoing social inequalities that hindered their development.

Review Questions

• How did colonialism impact the social structure of Latin America during the Age of Absolutism?
  • Colonialism created a rigid social hierarchy in Latin America dominated by peninsulares at the top, followed by Creoles, mestizos, and Indigenous peoples. This stratification led to significant social tensions as Creoles began to resent the privileges granted to peninsulares, who were seen as outsiders despite their control over land and resources. The inequalities inherent in this system became a driving force behind the independence movements that emerged in the early 19th century.
• Evaluate how Enlightenment ideas influenced the independence movements in Latin America.
  • Enlightenment ideas played a crucial role in inspiring Creole leaders and other revolutionaries to challenge colonial rule in Latin America. Concepts of individual liberty, democracy, and self-governance motivated figures like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín to advocate for independence from European powers. As these ideas spread throughout the region, they fueled widespread discontent with colonial authorities and united diverse groups in their struggle for freedom.
• Assess the long-term consequences of independence movements in Latin America on political development and social structures.
  • The independence movements in Latin America resulted in new nations striving for democratic governance but often struggling with political instability due to ongoing power struggles between various factions. Many countries faced challenges like economic dependency on foreign nations and persistent social inequalities that stemmed from colonial times. These factors complicated efforts to build stable governments and equitable societies, leaving a lasting impact on Latin America's political landscape well into the modern era.

Related terms

Colonialism:

The practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country or territory, often involving the settlement of colonizers and exploitation of resources.

Encomienda System: A labor system instituted by the Spanish crown in the Americas that granted colonists the right to demand labor from Indigenous peoples in exchange for protection and Christian teaching.

Creole: People of Spanish or Portuguese descent born in the colonies, who often held significant power and played a key role in the independence movements against colonial rule.