How Experience of Colonialism Affected Latin American Development And Post-independence - Essay Example

How experience of colonialism affected Latin American development and post-independence Introduction The Europeans (Spain and Portugal) established colonies in Latin America in the 16th and 17th centuries and starting funding their own countries economic development through exploiting raw materials in the colonies (Gunder-Frank, 1966, p 20). The Colonial period lasted between 1492-1810 and contributed to shaping the modern Latin American economic, social and political environment. Colonial powers engaged in shipment of raw materials and minerals to their counties without development of industries and implemented social changes like Christianity and new languages (Galeano, 2005). The colonization changed the demographic structures since many Native Latin American people perished from diseases like smallpox and other were forced to migrate from the native land. The political system was based on patronage with only few elite whites allowed power and authority. The native culture and religion was forbidden and courts were exclusively Spanish with the Priests occupying more wealth and rank in the society. Latin America faced numerous complex dilemmas such as political instability, civil wars, revolutions, and regimes that came to power immediately at the end of colonization (Galeano, 2005). The progressive and democratic leadership has invested heavily in modernizing the economies through export-led policies and new foreign direct investments (Bértola, Castelnovo, Rodríguez and Willebald, 2009, p 470). Latin America has gone through turbulent economic and political history that has led to the current domestic economic expansion through integration to international trade markets, the current democratic governance and political stability. Latin America is committed to full globalization and has a multi-cultural society that comprises of native individuals, Spanish, Latin Americans, Dutch, Indians and Portuguese (Galeano, 2005). Colonization effects Latin American countries like Mexico offered rich mining grounds and European colonizers believed they could prosper without building a diversified economy thus engaged in shipment of raw materials to Europe without developing the industry. Mining was the leading economic activity for the Spanish empire and haciendas were established to act as supply food for port towns (Cardosoand Faletto, 1979). The haciendas were self-sufficient landed estate that reflected the pre-industrial era and mainly facilitated export trade with the colonizer country. The colonial economic system was based on the shipment of raw materials rather than development of domestic industries thus encouraging the concentration of wealth in few hands. The Catholic Church controlled vast properties, welfare agencies and education system thus complicating the development of property rights in those nations (Gunder-Frank, 1966, p 19). On the social impact, colonial powers contributed to the spread of Christianity and suppression of the traditional religions and introduction of new languages such as Spanish, English, Dutch, French and Portuguese. Colonization of Latin America was accompanied by demographic disaster that mainly resulted from European diseases and efforts to enslave the population. For instance, Mexico population declined from about 25 million people in 1519 to almost 1 million people in 1605. The Peruvians declined from peak of 7 million to about 2 million in 1580. However, the Blacks made up for the lost population since some Spanish laws has recognized inalienable community owned Indian lands that held the Black slaves. In addition, the colonial period was marked with class societies since small minorities like the colonial elites controlled vast amount of the colony’s raw materials and land (Gunder-Frank, 1966, p 24). The Latin American political problems during the colonial period resulted from the paternalism and Spanish colonial system that afforded the native-born Whites an opportunity and responsibility in governance thus limiting democratic governance mechanisms even after independence (Glade, 1986, 16). Independence The 18th century and19th century movements of independence were inspired by the economic exploitation and the revolutions led to creation of several independent countries. The movements were followed by the American and French revolutions that significantly affected the French, Portuguese and Spanish colonies in Latin America since Haiti that was controlled by French immediately followed United States to independence. The slave rebellion in Saint-Domingue (1791) in the Modern day Haiti inspired other revolutions in Latin America since the Black slaves (marrons) entrenched themselves in the White colony mountains and engaged in fierce guerrilla warfare. The rebellion led to revolution that marked the revolt against French rule thus leading France and Britain to concentrate efforts in fighting enemies in Europe and era of French rule in Haiti ended in 1803. Napoleon, failing to build his empire in North America, decided to attack Spain and Portugal in 1808. Military and diplomatic events n Europe catalysed the independence movements since the Creole participants had some enlightenment ideals that informed revolutions in Europe and North America. The urban elite followed keenly the European military events since Spain had entered in to economic alliance with France thus pitting itself against England (Gunder-Frank, 1966, p 27).The period witnessed social and political upheaval in Europe that led to abolishment of monarchies and radical changes that led to enlightenment principals of citizenships and democracy. In response to Napoleon’s capture of Spain, Argentina started forming a government, but waited until 1816 to declare independence after battling several Spanish forces (Galeano, 2005). Independence and relationship to the global market The wars for independence led to fragmentation of the existing political order, militarization and mobilization of war resources that ultimately continued the civil wars even after independence. The independence was not immediately accompanied by economic and social growth since there were not property rights protection and enough structures that could guarantee trade flows. Haiti was one of the lucrative countries due to exports of sugar and French colonizers forced the country to pay reparations after its independence in 1804 thus shelling out more than 80 percent of the nation’s budget (Bulmer-Thomas, 1994). The new nations experienced economic challenges due to poor infrastructure and breakdown of the traditional trade linkages after the onset of European wars that limited trade. There was displacement of local traders and Peninsular Spaniards who provided skilled labor, investment capital and administrative knowledge had abandoned their work. There were strong pressures against African slavery in late 1820s and sugar and coffee production flourished due to the cheap labour and available land (Galeano, 2005). The leaders tried to build new political system through controlling the Roman Catholic Church and military, but success came easily through the military tactics and only Mexico and Peru managed to have professional armies that insisted on their traditional privileges. The armies took Church properties thus limiting the Roman Church powers and influence in the society. In the second half of 19th century, Latin American became a great source of raw materials that supported the high wave of industrialization in European and other world markets (Bulmer-Thomas, 1994). However, subsequent political conflicts in Venezuela and Mexico limited the trade links with the world markets. Latin America experienced difficulties in self-governance immediately after independence thus giving rise to several military leaders. The Latin American elites prevented more than 95 percent of the male population from participating in political activities and many people were pushed from the agricultural lands (Galeano, 2005). The regional military leaders were referred as caudillos and took advantage of the disgruntled masses to rise to power. However, the lower social class later took arms and initiated revolution movements that led to overthrowing of some military rulers like Antonio Lopez Santa Anna and implemented stable constitution in Mexico in 1911 in order to foster democratic reforms. The expansion of export-oriented economy in the 20th century occasioned more social changes since the citizens started moving to the middle class status. For instance, Argentina has more than half of its citizens classified as middle class before the onset of First World War due to many foreign-owned industries that offered good employment opportunities (Bulmer-Thomas, 1994). The move also led to migration in to the urban areas and workers in the traditional handicrafts started forming trade unions, but the industrial labour activities remained low (Galeano, 2005). The manufacturing occurred in small shops as opposed to large factories and the subsequent Great Depression significantly affected the exports to European countries thus changing the Latin American political landscape (Clayton, 1999). The politics were characterized by dominance of the rural oligarchs that opened up the political systems and allowed new groups to participate in voting. For instance, Argentina experienced a new voting wave whereby the middle class and upper class combined to influence the voting pattern in the country (Bértola, Castelnovo, Rodríguez and Willebald, 2009, p 479). The electoral reforms aimed at co-opting the workers in the exiting political system in order to avoid syndicalism and revolutionary ideologies that aimed at demanding change. Reformist models spread to other nations such as Chile and Mexico whereby Portfirio Diaz ruled as a dictator with the help of police forces. The Mexican revolution aimed at overthrowing the government’s power in economic development and other countries like Chile and Argentina moved to police authorities in order to limit the upper and middle class involvement in politics. The Great Depression of 1930s limited the ongoing Latin American integration in the global markets since the value of exports to European markets dropped significantly thus limiting the volumes of imports (Clayton, 1999). The Latin American countries started concentrating on internal economic development through import-substitution and tariff protection in order to accrue foreign exchange needed to purchase the import manufacturers (Galeano, 2005). This measures led to radical politics that led to 1929 military coups in Chile, Argentina, El Salvador and Cuba. Most of the nations such as Brazil, Chile and Mexico resulted to internal economic development such as direct investments in Steel in Chile and Petroleum industry in Argentina. The economic development and increased participation of publicly owned development corporations led to serious political consequences and new political realignment since Chile started competitive politics that could survive military intervention while Argentina saw populist politics with a coalition of socialists and communists in mid 1940s (Galeano, 2005). In this case, the emerging populist governments started reconciling the conflicting class interests that threatened oligarchy power and ruling governments hope the increasing exports after Second World War would provide more social welfare benefits. However, the economic growth and development dwindled across Latin America due to inflation, high government spending on military expansion and populist long-term growth policies (Clayton, 1999). The import-substitution polices eventually failed and Latin America has to integrate with the global markets through exports. The failure of import substitution was occasioned by the need to import new technology, the capital intensive industries and financial debts to North American nations (Galeano, 2005). In early 1950s and 1960s, Latin America started moving back to foreign-financed export-import economy, but the repressive military authorities led to unrests that eventually led to leftist guerrilla movements. However, subsequent political stability led to foreign firms interest in raw materials and abundant cheap labour. The new era was evidenced by increased foreign investments, low wages, restriction of labour unions and opposition of the right to free frees in Latin American society (Bértola, Castelnovo, Rodríguez and Willebald, 2009, p 476). The importance of past legacies The past legacies of Latin America have shaped trade flows since most economic policies are aimed at internal development and limited outward orientation. The countries have implemented protective tariffs, subsidies and preferences that limit global markets access and full integration in the world markets (Gunder-Frank, 1966, p 23). However, globalization has eliminated some of the trade barriers and Latin American nations are members of global trade organization. Colombia is currently a global leader in fresh flowers and other countries have modernized their economies (Clayton, 1999). Colonization changed the racial makeup of Latin American society since the countries are multicultural and experience few racism stereotypes. However, the native immigrants to North American countries still face social isolation and prejudices. Conclusion Colonisation of Latin America led to different economic, political and social changes such as new languages, Christianity, and new cultures. The colonial period was marked by economic exploitation of raw materials and political oppression of the natives. The Haiti revolution and subsequent French revolution inspired Latin American movements for independence and led to new nations that faced numerous governance challenges due to lack of constitution and struggles for economic success by the elite natives. The post-independence period was marked by export-led economy, military coups, internal conflicts and clamor for political revolution. However, the current Latin American society has integrated in to world markets and is currently experiencing political stability due to democratic governance and social welfare policies. Reference list: Bértola, L, Castelnovo, Rodríguez, C and Willebald, H (2009). Income Distribution in the Latin American Southern Cone during the First Globalization Boom and Beyond, International Journal of Comparative Sociology 50(5-6_ pp 452–485. Bulmer-Thomas, V. (1994). The Economic History of Latin America since Independence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Cardoso, F.H. and Faletto, E. (1979). Dependency and Development in Latin America. Berkeley: University of California Press. Clayton, L (1999). A History of Modern Latin America London : Harcourt Brace College Galeano, E (2005) Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent, Monthly Review Press (chapter 1). Glade, W. (1986). Latin America and the international economy, 1870-1914. In L. Bethell, ed., Cambridge History of Latin America Vol. IV, pp. 1–56, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Gunder-Frank, A. (1966). ‘The Development of Underdevelopment’ Monthly Review (Sep) pp17- 31. Read More