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Caudillos: The Imperial Rule Of Latin America

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As the grip of imperial rule in Latin America loosened and then disappeared completely, the people of the former colonies began to search for leaders that embodied their newfound freedom and beginnings. Thus, the people turned to caudillos. Caudillos were military men who participated in the fights for independence, which made them famous among the common people. They tended to be authoritative, charismatic, and had ideal masculine characteristics. These qualities made them popular with the people, and along with their high ranking in the military and elite class, it quickly became possible for caudillos to become rulers of the countries of Latin America. This paper will discuss what caudillos were and their characteristics, why they came to power, and how the people of Latin America justified caudillo rule. …show more content…

They tended to be more conservative than liberal; they preferred not to create a large amount of change that could disrupt their lives as elites, but rather implement change at a steady and controllable rate. For this reason, members of the elite class condoned caudillo rule, as it meant that they would stay wealthy and continue to own land. Because of their participation in wars and their high standing in society, caudillos were popular among the people. Some caudillos, however, were not born into wealthy families; they had joined the military and worked their way up. Generally, though, caudillos were revered as heroes for their bravery and prowess in battle. They had authority because of their military backgrounds, and their machismo personalities appealed to the common

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