British Influence

• After 1840, Britain established free

trade. Latin America exported goods to

Britain & their value grew. The

increased revenue from these trades

allowed Latin America to renegotiate

and again service the loans from their

independence era.

• British & other European markets

grew rapidly. British firms offered

Latin America credit, insurance,

transportation for goods once in

country, & marketing facilities.

• The formation of strong national

political structures proved more

difficult than Latin America or Britain

had expected.

British Influence

on Latin American

• Eventually, liberalism had a

profound affect on Latin America and

its economy; i.e., opening markets,

freeing land & labor from colonial

restrictions, abolishing slavery,

reducing the power of the Catholic

church.

• Gradually more powerful national

states were constructed. However, in

Mexico a liberal constitution caused a

civil war.

• Financial connections with Europe

enabled Latin America to take care of

their military and begin public works.

• However, the standard of living in

rural areas tended to deteriorate.

European immigrants were preferred

for jobs and as tenants.

Latin American Wars

• The provincials relied on the gauchos

to form their armies. In the

1820s, Juan Manuel Rosas dominated

the provincial army.

• Rosas maintained a balance of power

through shifting alliances of the

caudillos. He worked for the upper

class, seduced the lower class, and

killed or imprisoned the middle class.

Rosas was elected governor of Buenos

Aires in 1829.

• In 1837, Rosas joined Chile in the

war against Peru-Bolivia

confederations. Rosas eventually had

to withdraw.

Latin American Wars

• Simone Boliva, an aristocrat wanted

freedom and unity for Latin America.

He liberated Columbia and Venezuela.

• Boliva believed sovreignty belonged

to the people. The people turned on

him. On his deathbed he prophesied

that America could not be governed.

• San Martin led an army over the

Andes to free Chile & Peru. In 1821,

Peru declared independence. He

believed the nation should not be

governed by the military.

• Benito Juarez, an Indian, became

President o Mexico. Aided by France,

the conservatives waged war against

him.