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Chapter 15. Revolution and Nationalism in Latin America. How did Latin Americans struggle for change in the early 1900s?. Latin America’s economy was booming in the early 1900s, but it was highly dependent on foreign, industrialized countries.
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Chapter 15 Revolution and Nationalism in Latin America
How did Latin Americans struggle for change in the early 1900s? Latin America’s economy was booming in the early 1900s, but it was highly dependent on foreign, industrialized countries. From military dictatorships to constitutional democracies, Latin American countries struggled to create governments that reflected the nationalist goals of their citizens.
By 1910, the dictator Porfirio Díaz had ruled Mexico for almost 35 years. • During this time, foreign investors developed Mexico’s resources and the economy grew. • But discontent rippled through all levels of society. • Many poor peasants labored on haciendas or worked in factories for low wages. • The urban middle class wanted democracy. • The elite resented the power of foreign companies.
Faced with widespread rebellion, Díaz resigned. • Madero was democratically elected in 1911. • Within two years he was assassinated by one of his generals, Victoriano Huerta, who became a dictator. In 1910, liberal reformer Francisco Madero demanded free elections.
Peasants Francisco “Pancho” Villa and Emiliano Zapata joined forces with rich landowner Venustiano Carranza to defeat Huerta. • Villa and Zapata wanted to make broad changes to improve peasants’ lives, but Carranza disagreed. • After they defeated Huerta, Carranza turned on Villa and Zapata and defeated them.
In 1917, Carranza was elected president of Mexico. • Constitution of 1917 • Land reforms • Religious reforms • Labor reforms • Suffrage • Women’s rights He reluctantly approved a new constitution, which, with amendments, is still in force today.
After Carranza was overthrown in 1920, fighting in Mexico continued throughout the decade. In 1929, the government organized what later became the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI dominated Mexican politics from the 1930s until the free election of 2000.
As the Mexican government restored order, it began to carry out reforms in the 1920s and 1930s. • In the 1920s, the government helped some Indian communities regain their lands. • President Lázaro Cárdenas redistributed millions of acres of land to peasants in the 1930s.
In 1938, President Cárdenas nationalized Mexico’s oil resources and compensated American and British oil companies for their losses. The Mexican government supported labor unions and set up schools and libraries to combat illiteracy. Mexico became the first Latin American nation to pursue real social and economic reforms for the majority of its people.
Economic nationalism grew in Latin America in the 1920s and 1930s. • World War I and the Great Depression caused hardships. Foreign demand for Latin American exports fell, while the cost of imported goods rose. • Latin American nations sought to develop their industries and depend less on foreign trade. • Governments invested in industries, raised tariffs, or took over foreign-owned assets. But unequal distribution of wealth held back development.
The economic crisis caused people to lose faith in the ruling oligarchies and in liberal government. • Political nationalism led to the rise of strong authoritarian governments. • People hoped that strong leaders could do a better job controlling each nation’s economy.
This movement celebrated the culture of Latin American countries, including its Native American roots. • In Mexico, artists such as Diego Rivera created large public murals celebrating the struggle for liberty. At the same time, cultural nationalism was reflected in the work of Latin American artists, writers, and thinkers.
The United States continued to play a major role in Latin America. • American investment in Latin American industries grew during and after World War I. • The United States intervened to restore order when its interests were threatened. • For example, the U.S. army invaded Mexico in 1916 after Pancho Villa’s forces killed several Americans.
In the 1930s, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt improved relations with Latin America through the Good Neighbor Policy.He: American intervention stirred up anti-American feelings in Latin America. • Withdrew troops from Haiti and Nicaragua. • Removed limits on Cuban independence. • Supported nationalization of Mexico’s oil industry.
