Caudillos, political militaristic rulers, dominated much of Spanish America during the mid-nineteenth century. When accessing general public opinion of caudillos in power, it is important to note the biased nature that historical documents may hold. These accounts may generally be skewed as documents which praise caudillos in power and those which condemn them represent a biased extreme on either side of the spectrum. Specifically, analysis of Juan Manuel Rosas, an Argentinian caudillo who held Argentina from 1829 until 1839 and from 1835 until 1852, may suggest that Rosas was a cruel individual who was resented by the general public if one were to solely take into account Domingo Faustino Sarmiento’s depiction of his rule in his book, Facundo, or Civilization and Barbarism.1 In an excerpt from the book, Sarmiento …show more content…
With that interpretation in mind, the longevity of the celebrations and the excessive praise of Rosas can once again be interpreted as self-interest on the masses’ end who benefitted from such actions. This loyalty, however, was once again tied to Rosas as a leader and not to Argentina, showcased in portraits of Rosas on church alters and with citizens eventually placing a picture of Rosas over their hearts to prove support.10 Sarmiento argues that this devotion to Rosas was degrading; however, the masses who followed Rosas understood that loyalty meant rewards creating a mutually beneficial relationship until Rosas was no longer in
Though the court case of the “Scandal at the Church” has no documented resolution, historical fact and conjecture leads to the belief that Mr. de Alfaro would not only lose the case, but family as well. From class and honour, to gender norms, race and maritally acceptable jealousy, there is nothing to support Mr. de Alfaro’s plea to convict this wife’s attackers. Knowing that Mr. Bravo had several other pending court cases and no prior convictions further suggests that the Bravo family was virtually untouchable, while Mr. de Alfaro’s family was simply expendable. Though 18th century Mexico was an extreme time, elements of such places have remained though the years as illustrated by prejudices and discrimination in the modern day world, leading to – similar to the court case – many injustices going unpunished due to vastly similar factors. With class and race are subtle factors in the modern day court system, the system does not seem to be on a path of change, though things have bettered over the years.
In Mañana Es San Perón: A Cultural History of Perón’s Argentina, Mariano Ben Plotkin - an emeritus professor and doctor in history and writer of Peronist Argentinean history at the university of California, Berkeley, addresses one of the first populist movement in the region of South America: el peronismo. After offering an important contextualizing “Introduction,” Plotkin organized his book into four main parts composing the book, each containing two chapters, resulting in a total of eight. Consequently, the author also offers, after the main four parts, Notes, a selected bibliography, and an index. The author concludes this book with an interesting and polemic conclusion where he discusses if Peronism was totalitarian. Plotkin, in Manana es San Perón, attempts to give a historical account about Perón’s Argentina through a cultural perspective.
Throughout the ages, there have been many dictators, all cruel and unforgiving, including Paraguay’s dictator, Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia, who singlehandedly was able to isolate the country from the rest of the world. This all started with the ending of the Paraguay’s revolutionary war, where Dr. Francia manipulated the newly formed government behind the scenes. The question is, during his dictatorship, did he do more good than harm? Even if originally Dr. Francia had good intentions, did he ended up to becoming a dictator who isolated Paraguay from the rest of the world? This research paper, will explain both sides of the argument to create a strong case to prove. Dr. Francia negatively affected Paraguay and did he do more harm than
Teja, Jesus F. De La. A Revolution Remembered: The Memoirs and Selected Correspondence of Juan N. Seguin. Austin: State House Press, 1991.
Models for post-revolutionary Latin American government are born of the complex economic and social realities of 17th and 18th century Europe. From the momentum of the Enlightenment came major political rebellions of the elite class against entrenched national monarchies and systems of power. Within this time period of elitist revolt and intensive political restructuring, the fundamental basis for both liberal and conservative ideology was driven deep into Latin American soil. However, as neither ideology sought to fulfill or even recognize the needs or rights of mestizo people under government rule, the initial liberal doctrine pervading Latin American nations perpetuated racism and economic exploitation, and paved the way for all-consuming, cultural wars in the centuries to come.
All throughout the 20th century we can observe the marked presence of totalitarian regimes and governments in Latin America. Countries like Cuba, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic all suffered under the merciless rule of dictators and military leaders. Yet the latter country, the Dominican Republic, experienced a unique variation of these popular dictatorships, one that in the eyes of the world of those times was great, but in the eyes of the Dominicans, was nothing short of deadly.
Derby Lauren, The Dictator's Seduction: Gender and State Spectacle during the Trujillo Regime, Callaloo 23.3. Summer 2000, pp. 1112-1146.
The character of Demetrio Macias proves to be quite ironic. One facet of his character reveals his determination to find Pancho Villa’s army, while the other side of his character parallels the extraordinary qualities Pancho Villa had as a hero. People viewed Pancho Villa as a revered hero who pushed out foreign "proprietors" and fought for the common man. On one hand, there is the compassionate man who helped those in need and rescued orphans providing them with food, education, and a home. On the other hand, there was the ferocious general who destroyed villages and killed innocent victims. Villa was generous and helpful to his followers, of which he insisted on loyalty and trust, but to those who violated his trust and authority, he was merciless and cruel. We can clearly see the similarities of these two leaders when we analyze their noble actions. Demetrio’s reluctance to stop ...
The caudillo often came from the creole aristocracy, which was supported by the military and the Roman Catholic Church. Occasionally, a mestizo or mulatto took power who quickly adopted the characteristics of the upper class. The main problem with having a creole in power was that his const...
The Allies’ victory in WWII marked democracy’s triumph over dictatorship, and the consequences shook Latin America. Questioning why they should support the struggle for democracy in Europe and yet suffer the constraints of dictatorship at home, many Latin Americans rallied to democratize their own political structures. A group of prominent middle–class Brazilians opposed to the continuation of the Vargas dictatorship mused publicly, “If we fight against fascism at the side of the United Nations so that liberty and democracy may be restored to all people, certainly we are not asking too much in demanding for ourselves such rights and guarantees.” The times favored the democratic concepts professed by the middle class. A wave of freedom of speech, press, and assembly engulfed much of Latin America and bathed the middle class with satisfaction. New political parties emerged to represent broader segments of the population. Democracy, always a fragile plant anywhere, seemed ready to blossom throughout Latin America. Nowhere was this change more amply illustrated than in Guatemala, where Jorge Ubico ruled as dictator from 1931 until 1944. Ubico, a former minister of war, carried out unprecedented centralization of the state and repression of his opponents. Although he technically ended debt peonage, the 1934 vagrancy law required the carrying of identification cards and improved ...
Adams, Jerome R. Liberators and Patriots of Latin America. Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, 1991. Print.
Life in Mexico was, before the Revolution, defined by the figure of the patron that held all of power in a certain area. Juan Preciado, who was born in an urban city outside of Comala, “came to Comala because [he] had been told that [his] father, a man named Pedro Paramo lived there” (1). He initially was unaware of the general dislike that his father was subjected to in that area of Mexico. Pedro was regarded as “[l]iving bile” (1) by the people that still inhabited Comala, a classification that Juan did not expect. This reveals that it was not known by those outside of the patron’s dominion of the cruel abuse that they levied upon their people. Pedro Paramo held...
In 1895, American citizens took notice of a Cuban revolt against their corrupt Spanish oppressor. The Cuban insurgents reasoned that if they did enough damage, the US might move in and help the Cubans win their independence. Not only did Americans sympathize with the Cubans upon seeing tragic reports in the newspaper, but they also empathized that the US once fought for their own independence from Britain. If France didn’t intervene, the Americans probably would not have won their freedom. As if this did not rally enough hate for the Spanish among the American Public, fuel was added to the flame by the Spanish General (“Butcher”)
Preston, Paul. The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2007. Print.
The whole dauntless is silent. People who knew me send me looks of astonishment. People who don't know me look around in confusion. I wipe my sweaty hands on the fabric of my dress. I look around at the whole of dauntless and see that everyone has a look of happiness. Everyone except her. I see my brothers, Four, and Christina. Zeke and Uriah have shiny tears dripping down there face. Four gives me an apologetic smile, asking me for forgiveness. I nod at him, telling him that I forgive him. The silence is interrupted by a screeching woman.