Latin America: From the independence wars to the mid-20th century

What is the course about?

The aim of this course is to give students the key elements to understand the political and socio-economic transformation of Latin America between the independence and the rise of populist leaders in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Studying past trends will in turn provide the tools to comprehend the current situation in the various countries of the continent.If Brazil gained its independence peacefully, in the case of the Spanish colonies that was only achieved after prolonged wars. Independence did not bring stability as many countries saw the emergence of that key Latin American figure: the caudillo, whose power rested on military might and patronage. However, the second half of the 19th century witnessed a radical transformation of Latin America. Conservative and liberal elites managed to come to power, established the so-called oligarchic republics, which severely restricted political participation, and presided over the economic modernisation of the continent. Their development model, based on commodity exports, sustained their rule for several decades but ultimately undermined it. Indeed, these elites encouraged immigration but the new populations soon demanded to have a say in politics. Since the traditional elites by far refused to make concessions, tensions rose. The situation deteriorated further once Latin America was engulfed in the Great Depression. While in the least developed economies, the consequence was the establishment of repressive personal dictatorships, in the larger economies of the continent, populist politicians saw the benefits of courting the politically orphaned working class.

What will we cover?

• The independence of the Spanish and Portuguese colonies
• From the era of the caudillos to the Liberal dictators and oligarchic republics of the late 19th-early 20th century
• The integration of Latin America into the world economy
• The political consequences of the socio-economic transformation of Latin America in the early 20th century
• The consequences of the Great Depression in Latin America: populism and dictatorship
• The rise of populist leaders in Latin America’s more developed economies
• Personal dictatorships in the less developed economies.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Analyse the factors that led to the independence of Latin America
• Assess both the socio-economic and political consequences of the integration of Latin America into the world’s economy in the late 19th-early 20th century
• Discuss constructively why the deepening of the export-led model of development undermined the position of the traditional elites
• Explain why populism emerged in several Latin countries in the 1930s-40s and its legacy.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

No specific knowledge needed although some background information on Latin America in general would be helpful.
As with all of our history and politics courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen and to think about views with which you are not familiar or may not agree are more important than any experience in the subject matter.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be a combination of lectures and group discussions. Classes will be supported by PowerPoint presentations and handouts. Learners will be asked to read a couple of articles at home to prepare the discussions in class. These will be available on the website for the course.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No other costs. Please bring a pen and paper or the digital equivalent for your notes.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

HAH105 Latin America: From the Cold War to the present