Latin America: a Legacy of Oppression

The Independence of Latin America was a process caused by years of injustices, discriminations, and abuse, from the Spanish Crown upon the inhabitants of Latin America. Since the beginning the Spanish Crown used the Americas as a way to gain riches and become greater in power internationally. Three of the distinct causes leading Latin America to seek independence from Spain, were that Spain was restricting Latin America from financial growth, (this included restrictions from the Spain on international trade, tax burden, and laws which only allowed the Americas to buy from Spain), The different social groups within Latin America, felt the pressure of the reforms being implicated on them

Colonization of Latin America is the central conflict of its history because its effects as still prevalent in the socioeconomics and politics of modern-day Latin American countries. It is because of the colonization of Latin America by the Iberians that today, the Latin American people are a multiethnic people with many descending from Europeans or Africans. The Iberians conquest resulted in the death, displacement, or enslavement of countless natives, which in turn further increased the power and draw of the encomienda system. As the encomienda system grew and became more extensive, the native population diminished and the transatlantic, African slave trade became more commonplace. This caused the multiethnic societies of Latin America today and created a social structure consisting

After the age of enlightenment, colonies and nations around the world began questioning their rulers and ruling nations. Liberal and nationalist ideas spread across Europe and the world, especially after the French Revolution. When these beliefs spread to the colonies of America, independence movements and revolts occurred. The Latin American revolution and Haitian revolution were both significant events during the 19th century that affected both their respective nations and the world. While both revolutions resulted similarly such that a social hierarchy based on race existed after independence, they differ in that while the Latin American revolutions placed an emphasis on ending the Spanish casta system, Haitian revolution was based on freeing slaves.

Today, instead of weaker Latin American countries being colonized by an imperial power like they were in history, they have been given the appearance of authority while Western

Many Europeans did not find it fair that the Spanish were taking control over land that was not theirs. Bartolomeo de la Casa states in Document 8 that what is being done to the Indigenous people is “truly unjust and tyrannical.” In an attempt to rule the Native Americans, Europeans began burning their historicals and sent in missionaries to convert them in both peaceful and forceful ways. The Native Americans never harmed the Spanish, Bartolomeo implies, so they have the right to their own culture. Another negative effect of globalization was that main focus was economic profit rather than helping natives. The main goal of most Europeans was to make profit off of the cash crops, and in order to cease the questioning of their king, made excuses that events such as the Mita system were mainly benefiting the Native Americans. In actuality, however, only the Europeans were profiting as the INdigenous population and African slaves were being killed and forced to work a hard amount of labor. This is all a very negative side effect of globalization between the New

Prior to its independence Latin America had been controlled by external forces for hundreds of years. To be freed of control from these outside interests did not in any way guarantee Latin America a return to the status quo. In fact, the inhabitants of Latin America had done very well in assimilating their in house controllers. They adopted European language, religion, color, and just about everything else that the European culture had to offer them. Although they were free to do as they please and run their own affairs in the global neighborhood as we know it, they struggled to create an entity for themselves. They embody too much of what is not native to their region, yet the people that used to represent their land 500 years earlier

When the Europeans first arrived in Latin America, they didn’t realize the immensity of their actions. As history has proven, the Europeans have imposed many things on the Latin American territory have had a long, devastating effect on the indigenous people. In the centuries after 1492, Europeans would control much of South America and impose a foreign culture upon the already established civilizations that existed before their arrival. These imposed ideas left the continent weak and resulted in the loss of culture, the dependence on European countries, and a long standing ethnic tension between natives and settlers which is evident even to this day. The indigenous people of South America, which

American attitudes towards Latin America can be summed up as an extension of larger global directives, and the exclusion of foreign powers in the region. This was highlighted especially during the Cold War as US involvement was essentially in competition with the USSR. Latin America was therefore a mere pawn in the larger context of US-Soviet competition for global dominance. The actions and methods used are also characterized by the lack of an international authority, or an atmosphere of inter-state anarchy, which shaped their calculations in the endeavor to increase their influence over Latin America. When one analyzes the situation, it seems only rational that the United States treated its southern neighbors so, due to the geographical

“Essentially, the Spanish Conquistador forced their culture upon the natives of South America wiping out their own. The Conquistadores shaped the New World building the base for what it is today.” (Lasting Impacts of the Conquistador) Pizarro basically shaped a whole society to become and think entirely different by exploring and conquering Peru. But there had to be some positive outcomes for the Spanish invading Peru and changing and entire culture. The Spanish were more advanced than the Incan Empire by not only weapons and strategies but also the goods that they have based on exploring and conquering other cultures over time. Not only did they change their way of thinking they taught them how to do everything like the Spanish “A positive impact the Spanish had on the Inca tribes were bringing over Spanish goods. The Spanish brought gunpowder, sugar, horses, dogs, steel, farming equipment etc. The Spanish had a positive impact on the natives in teaching them a new way of life, shaping our world, as we know it today. Although they forced some people into this new way of life, some were interesting in learning new skills and trades. The Spanish also brought architecture to South America which some still stands. They taught the Inca how to build and create out of their materials.” (Lasting

The Portuguese explored vast regions in the Pacific World and conquered territories in South America. Both Portugal and Spain wanted control of territories of land in South America so in order to avoid war they agreed to the Treaty of Terdestilla, where Portugal got what is currently known as Brazil and the Spanish Empire got all the lands west of Brazil. In Brazil the Portuguese needed laborers to help them with their sugar plantations. At first they tried to enslave Native Americans but this was difficult because the Indian could flee into the land and many died from diseases that came from the Western World. The Portuguese solved this problem by enslaving Africans and bringing them to Brazil. In Brazil the Portuguese used their enslaved Africans to work on their sugar plantations and make them wealthy, “Africans constituted the overwhelming majority of the captive labor force that worked the sugar plantations of the Northeast, the region that was at that time the economic engine of the giant Portuguese colony” (Cotroll, 2011). The Portuguese’s brutally exploited these people for their economic benefit. Slaves usually had short lifespans because of how brutally they were treated. The Portuguese Empire’s ruthless conquest goes to show that the Pacific World was a brutal anarchic realm where the powerful ruled over the

What comes across your mind when you think of Latin America? Latin America consists of many different cultures, people with ethnic backgrounds; Mexico, Central America, South America. Latin America has the diversity in its people, and succession has brought along what makes Latin America what it is in modern times. In the article “Latin America: Myth and Reality,” the author mentions that “stereotypes spring from ignorance and bias,” which I think is significantly appropriate to bring up in this conversation (“Latin America” 3). Latin America is united by their differences, and I think most of the stereotypes are disappearing, while people are becoming more educated. But to comprehend what lies behind the mask, we all must disregard labels, and instead appreciate Latin America for who they all are. To mention a few, let’s dive into the article to understand some common stereotypes that someone might have.

In the 50 years after gaining independence, European influence played an essential role in the growth of Latin America. Latin American elites managed to open free-trade among other countries such as the United States and Great Britain. This influx of trade expedited the Industrial Revolution allowing South America to trade with other countries more efficiently, thus, marking the start of Neo-Colonialism. Neo-Colonialism is defined as “the economic and political policies by which a great power indirectly maintains its influence over other areas or people” (Merriam-Webster). In the essay “Born in Blood & Fire” written by John Charles Chasteen, he describes how Europe managed to greatly influence the economy and political growth allowing

In the years following the Congress of Vienna, revolts plagued many European countries as well as several areas in Latin America. France was driven from Haiti, Portugal lost control of Brazil, and Spain was forced to withdraw from all its American empire except for Cuba and Puerto Rico. Colonial government in South America came to an end. Three countries where revolts were successfully established were Haiti, Venezuela, and Brazil. The countries in Latin America benefited from the revolts because they became free from colonial rule, but, except for Brazil, they were left with many consequences.

It is impossible to separate the history of military dictatorships in Latin America from the history of economic exploitation and of US intervention in the region. The history of slavery and other forced labor in the pursuit of large-scale agriculture and resource extraction in the time of the colonies has created a legacy of economic exploitation. This poverty and inequality has in many cases led to popular uprisings and calls for reform, which provided the reason (or the excuse, depending on your point of view) to use military force to restore discipline. The United States' willingness to support strong regimes capable of securing its interests in the region also has played a decisive role. These

Only few Europeans came over to colonize, but their human capital, technology, wealth, and legal and economic institutions made it effortless to take control. Spain emerged as the leader in colonizing the New World and implemented encomiendas, aiding certain elites and giving little to the rest of the population. The Catholic Church, fueling Spain and Portugal’s exclusive ownership of land, led to social mobility and acquisition of titles. Led by elites, the Church had favorable settler condition and acquired land in order to gain immense wealth and express their position of elitism (Harris). The prompt initial land inequality fostered concentrated political power as well. Elites controlled the governments in order to protect their interests and diminish all possibilities of shifts of power to the lower classes (De Ferranti).