Sarmiento Civilization And Barbarism Summary

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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 When accessing general public opinion of caudillos in power, it is important to note the biased nature that historical documents may hold.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

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