The Americas Nation Building, Economic Growth and the Legacies of War

Transcription

1 The Americas Nation Building, Economic Growth and the Legacies of War

2 Independence in Western Hemisphere: lengthy process c 1770s 1830 with exception US, each achievement involved both war against colonial power and civil (domestic) wars also with exception US, each independence celebration saw some form of regional session shortly afterwards

3 Legacies (short term): emergence strong military leaders often reluctant to give up power promised strength, stability to warweakened societies often supported by people initially; later challenged when reluctant to respect democracy (e.g. L Ouverture) inevitably created more political instability, difficulties for rebuilding economy

4 Examples: [see text pp.631 4] Bolivar, de Iturbide (Mexico) military reputation provided the foundation for personal political power Jose Antonio Paez: used that power to resist Bolivar s government, establish Venezuelan independence from Gran Columbia 1829

5 Venezuela: Independent 1830

6 Andrew Jackson: used it to win presidency as popular candidate (defeating older, wealthy political aristocracy ) cut away at Constitutional powers of Congress and Supreme Court by increasing those of president

7 Andrew Jackson ( )

8 Another example: Toussaint L Ouverture Black Napoleon simultaneously became Commander in Chief for Life and introduced Constitution that was supposed to be revolutionary but instead reflected bourgeois values (including patriarchy) and thinly veiled forced labour laws (ability to enforce short lived)

9 Legacies (short term): in Spanish and Portuguese territories, power of Church remained Church in Spain, Portugal remained strong, if diminished (even after 1820) colonies remained strongholds, clergy remained contenders for local power, players in local political struggles equivalent to class interests

10 Catholic Church had monopoly on education and intellectual life during colonial era following independence: what to do? liberals wanted secular education, full separation between Church and State conservatives supported the political role of the Church and wanted it built into new constitutions Remained contentious issue throughout 19 th c; Church influence still active in 20 th c.

11 Legacies (short term): race/class and regional interests sharpened by conflict winning Independence did not resolve local issues, many exacerbated by years (or decades) of struggle competition between local military leaders for political voice

12 Attempts at federations (large scale political entities like the US) failed: e.g. United Provinces of Rio de la Plata: former Viceroyalty: loyalists in Uruguay and Bolivia, separatists in Paraguay led local independence movements even Buenos Aires (Argentina) had difficulty uniting, controlling far flung regions Gran Colombia : Paez s Venezuelan challenge defeated Grand Colombia (above)

13 Legacies (short term): inter regional rivalries/conflicts continued to engage Europeans dynamics of using old enemies against against each other and exploiting postindependence differences kept door open for former colonial interests

14 Direct challenges to South America: British, French naval blockades (Argentina) Britain repeatedly violated Brazilian waters in efforts to end slave trade And to Mexico: Spanish invaded 1829 French attacked Veracruz 1838 full scale invasion 1862 (see below)

15 Example: US Mexican wars 1820s 30s: Americans invited into northern Mexico to help develop it Americans soon outnumbered Mexicans resented lack political authority particular issue with Mexican laws against slavery (Americans brought slaves)

16 : Mexican liberals, Americans rebelled and gained independence Texas became US (slave state, see below) 1845 provoked outright war: American forces captured Mexico City 1848, forced cession huge territory (New Mexico, Arizona, California) in return for $15million

17 Mexico: liberals under Benito Juarez took control to re establish stability: new Constitution limiting power Church and Military conservatives invited Napoleon III (France) to reinstate their power: invaded 1862 French installed Austrian Hungarian emperor in Mexico: several years of war US used diplomatic pressure to restore Mexican president to power

18 Major French Assault; taking of Republican Flag ; execution of Emperor Maximillion Napoleon requests Egyptian Troops

19 United States: War 1812 Direct challenge by Britain 1814: occupied Washington, burned the Whitehouse (said the rebuilding/painting is why it is called whitehouse ) and Capital British in Canada allied with loyalist Amerindiens who fought against US forces on side of British upon their defeat, most moved to Canada

20 Damage to the Capital (above) And White House (drawing)

21 war revealed extent to which new cleavage developed following Independence and acquisition Western Territories ( Louisiana Purchase from French 1803, Mexican lands 1848) whereas Britain tried to control conflict, settler expansion along frontier: US encouraged westward expansion, few concerns about conflict

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23 Amerindian Issue : Treaties established between indigenous nations and British, largely ignored by US 1830: Indian Removal Act forced resettlement of Eastern nations to west of Mississippi River remembered as Trail of Tears almost half died before reaching new lands [see Cherokee Nation vs. State of Georgia, Add l. Rdgs]

24 Cherokee Nation vs. State of Georgia: decision... Though the Indians are acknowledged to have an unquestionable right to the lands they occupy, until that right shall be extinguished by a voluntary cession to our government; yet it may well be doubted whether those tribes which reside within the acknowledged boundaries of the United States can, with strict accuracy, be denominated foreign nations. They may, more correctly be denominated domestic dependent nations.

25 Cherokee Nation vs. State of Georgia: decision...they look to our government for protection; rely upon its kindness and its power; appeal to it for relief to their wants; and address the president as their great father. They and their country are considered by foreign nations, as well as by ourselves, as being so completely under the sovereignty and dominion of the United States, that any attempt to acquire their lands, or to form a political connexion with them, would be considered by all as an invasion of our territory, and an act of hostility.

26 Cherokee Nation vs. State of Georgia: decision...this bill is brought by the Cherokee nation, praying an injunction to restrain the state of Georgia from the execution of certain laws of that state, which, as is alleged, go directly to annihilate the Cherokees as a political society, and to seize, for the use of Georgia, the lands of the nation which have been assured to them by the United States in solemn treaties repeatedly made and still in force...

27 Cherokee Nation vs. State of Georgia: decision They occupy a territory to which we assert a title independent of their will, which must take effect in point of possession when their right of possession ceases. Meanwhile, they are in a state of pupilage. Their relation to the United States resembles that of a ward to his guardian.... The motion for an injunction is denied. [Add l. Rdgs. Cherokee.. Vs... Georgia ]

28 Post 1865: after Civil War (below) settlers followed railroads even further west into plains land alienated (from Amerindians) for laying rail and ranches, farms transport would facilitate: development [text] pushed onto reserves; destruction environment, animals (for hunting e.g. buffalo) forced many into wage labour and poverty

29 Amerindian Issue : [text, cont.] similar issues in Latin America (Argentina, Chile) attempts to maintain peace along frontiers with settlers failed by 1860s 1870s, both governments crushed natives Chile launched campaign of demonizing main group (Mapuche)

30 Secession of US Southern States: American Civil War new acquisitions of territory created political crisis as well with growing importance of slave based southern agriculture (especially cotton) and industries (north and south) based on this production political pressure grew to ensure that States created in new lands were Slave States

31 Series of negotiated legislation passed to mediate between different demands: ultimately led to War 1800: slave states majority Missouri Compromise 1820: Slavery prohibited north of latitude 36 degrees , 1837: slave / free states equal in number

32 Slave Free States 1837

33 Battle over Slavery continued: 1846 Slaves States gained majority of ONE Compromise of Popular Sovereignty 1850 Fugitive Slave Act 1850 [Add l. Rdgs.] Kansas Nebraska Act 1854 (also compromise of popular sovereignty)

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35 Kansas Nebraska Act 1854: precarious balance of states cause of concern for both anti and pro slave factions settlers fought with numbers (ballot box): literally moved in supporters to vote for their cause 1855 onwards: literal battle for recognition two different legislatures!

36 Bloody Kansas : situation provoked on the ground violence Gov t sent in forces to support pro slavery authorities but congress refused to recognize legality of State eventually enough anti slavery voters moved into state to reverse position:

37 1861: Kansas admitted as free state Just as Civil War began...

38 Secession of the South: federal policies ( compromises not withstanding) ultimately alienated the Southern states (like other regional resisters we have seen) they chose to resist Federal authority formed Confederate States of America seceded ( declared independence ) in 1861

39 American Civil War: in terms of regionalism, President Lincoln handled Southern States the same way other new national leaders handled problem: military force to remain part of new nation difference: all successful secessions had taken place soon after War of Independence (i.e. Latin America)

40 War Failed but Impact Long Lasting: over 750,00 lives lost while may have been fought over slavery, race was neither cause nor consequence (Text) Most destructive conflict in history of Western Hemisphere : does not define what destructive really means will argue here that it is combination of actual lives lost and damage done to nation of United States