Liberal Reform

4. What was Boucher’s position on the questions of bishops and clerical salaries? How did his thinking on these issues influence his relationship to the Revolutionary movement?

Between the years 1825 and 1850, the US underwent a series of social and political reforms which attempted to democratize American life. Reform movements during this period of Jacksonian Democracy attempted to dissolve disunity in the social ladder and pushed for equal rights among all citizens. Stemming from the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century, many of these reforms were backed by religious ideals over democratic principles. At the forefront of the cause, however, was the hope for a more democratic system in which there was not only popular sovereignty, but a sense of social leveling.

While the Populists were able to inspire some more government involvement in the economy with their currency concerns, the Progressives both reformed the government into a less corruptible system and called for more government participation in reducing the growing power of certain industries. Similarly, although the Populists managed to bring attention to the plight of the workers, the Progressives, with their wider range of supporters due to their broader appeal, was able to pass workplace regulations and to organize institutes to help foreigners assimilate into American society. Finally, as the Populists failed to convince the nation to address most of their most basic beliefs and goals, the Progressives succeeded in obtaining government recognition of their side of a long-standing racial dissension. In conclusion, historians are correct in believing that the Populists were less successful than the Progressives in attaining their goals because of the vast differences between the two results of the groups’ reform

The validity of the statement, “Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals” can be assessed regarding many reformations in the time period of 1825-1850 including the American temperance movement, the women’s rights movement, and the abolitionist reform. All of which very much expanded core democratic ideology, such as equality, liberty for all, and the pursuit of happiness. All these reforms share the qualities necessary to attempt to make the United States a more civilized, utopian society. Social reform was a necessity when it came to expanding democratic ideals.

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

his Conservative party in 1867, liberalism in Mexico proved to be the victor. However, presidents started to stray from classic liberal ideas, and this can be traced to Lucas Alaman, who, by

In the post-World War II era, the globe was polarized by two idealistically divergent superpowers; the United States and the Soviet Union, two nations that strived to promote capitalism and communism, respectively, throughout the globe. Nowhere was this struggle more apparent than in developing countries with shaky political and economic backbones. Specifically, in Latin America the old, corrupt and often totalitarian regimes were threatened by grassroots liberation movements whose ideas of land reform and shaking up the status quo were often perceived as Marxism. The Catholic Church, which had traditionally supported the wealthy ruling class, began to change its beliefs in

Most liberals were "hacendados," they could be "bureaucrats, doctors, lawyers..." who were educated in the city, but they had "knowledge of agriculture through childhood experiences or associated with peasants." As mentioned in the "Liberal and the Land," by understanding the bad situation had occurred to peasants and agrarian problems, liberals sought to transform Mexican agriculture with the hope of "finding the route to wealth through agriculture" (p 240). Liberals were seeking to transform the Mexican agriculture by fixing agrarian problems. To resolve the problems in the technical sphere, liberals encourage the immigration of foreigners, so new crops and farming methods were introduced. Moreover, railroad, canals, highways and telegraphs

Although each classical civilization developed its own unique style of politics, culture and economies, the economic and social patterns in Latin America distinctly detached this civilization from any Western society, which accounted for obvious distinctions in both culture and politics. In politics, the most apparent feature of the Western Society was the creation of new political ideologies, resulting in neither an absolute or dictatorial structure. The instability of Latin American politics created a weakened structure, therefore creating limitations to regulate criminals, and landlords. Culturally, the Western Societies role of religion lost popularity, as nationalism and socialism provided competition for the church. But the

The democratization of American society that started in 1820s has led to a significant change of relations between government and people. These changes include growing equality of opportunities for white men and possibility for people to influence political processes taking place in the US. While people gained new rights and chances to start another life, government was, on the one hand, set under the growing pressure of society, and on the other hand, could be constructed by people.

In the 19th century, liberalism and conservatism were two very different political parties fighting for their version of what South America should become. These two parties had many different views that would ultimately shape the nations into what they are in the modern day. In this triumphant battle between the two parties, South America was at a turning point. Many countries were on the forefront of independence and this meant a chance to make a change in the government these countries had. Conservatives and Liberal beliefs appealed to different types of groups such as classes, races, industries and even gender. Although Conservatives and Liberals had many different views, both parties were fighting for what they thought was the better future for the nations of South America. These parties were very important to the advancement of South America and the stride towards independence.

Alongside the extension of the franchise the political voting system became far less corrupt and therefore results were a better representation of the people’s beliefs. The Conservative and Liberal Parties were the most influential throughout

In the early 19th century, Latin American countries broke free from the shackles of European colonists and started independence movements to form their own nations. At first the idea of freedom to start their own countries —politics, free trade and all— was enticing. But, Latin Americans soon learned that the Western European countries and the United States tried to take advantage of them financially at any opportunity that arose. Newly independent countries like Mexico, Venezuela, and Honduras tried to get themselves on the map and raise their wealth through exporting the natural resources found in their countries. While they tried to emulate the United States and Western Europe, liberals like Sarmiento and Porfirio Diaz failed due to the

During this time period, Mexican political life shifted to the right. One reason Mexican political life turned to the right was World War II and Mexico’s role as a member of the allied forces. Camacho committed the country to full participation in the war, increasing industrialization to provide supplies for the U.S. and boosting the economy through exports. Another reason Mexican political life turned to the right was the rise of communism. The U.S. was alarmed by the growing power of the Soviet Union and vowed to fight communism worldwide. The Aleman government “eagerly seized upon containment discourse” and made anti-Communism the official policy in order to improve relations with the U.S. (Joseph & Buchenau ch. 7). The shift to the political right and reinvigorated ties with the U.S. conflicted with the Revolution, which sought reform and nationalism. Thus began the propaganda to reinforce the idea of the PRI being the party that embodied the ideals of the Revolution, with Aleman “tweaking of the official discourse to the effect that ‘The Revolution’ had made Mexico into a modern, democratic, ‘Western’ nation” (Joseph & Buchenau ch. 7). The Revolution as a political ideology was critically important not only for the self-identification of the regime, but for political stability as

This is also due to the amount of dictatorships these countries went through; dictatorships often lead to crackdowns and political and economic oppression. The social issue Latin America faced was the struggle between the rich and poor. However, it becomes more complicated because there had been times where the church had done nothing (sided with the elite) in terms of seeing the poor being oppressed. This “way of doing business” was not a new concept, in fact this trend began with the conquistadors where church officials would for the most part remain