Although many regarded independence as a mark to the end of the long-standing problems experienced in Latin America, It turned out to be the first step in the lengthy struggle that citizens in these countries would experience. Political leaders in the Latin American independence engaged heavily in a discussion aimed at finding ways in which they would make a transition from a European monarch system to a sovereign nation. The mercantilist system that was previously employed during the colonial period was cited as a significant reason that not only limited trade but also hindered the opportunities for growth. Most fundamentally, there was a social system created that enabled a society filled with discrimination with legal privileges only benefiting a few. 1 The colonial problems transited to the post-colonial era with war defining this era. The fight critically impacted agriculture, mining, and trade with the new government finding difficulties in forging financial solvency. Instability in Latin America was as a result of a combination of the struggle for independence, internal disputes between the liberals and conservatives, and geographical factors.
The conflict between the Liberals and Conservatives
One of the reasons for the increased instability in the Latin American countries was down to the ideological differences expressed by the liberals and the conservatives. It is important to note that during the 19 th century, the conflict between these two ideological sides reached its epitome as the liberals demanded the stop to the dominance demonstrated by the Catholic Church. Furthermore, they wanted to see an end to the slavery and class system. Critical to appreciate is the fact that these three factors affected to a significant extent the organization of the Latin American society. The liberals also showed their inclination towards a more democratic government, a system that their opponents thought would lead to many drastic changes that eventually lead to confusion. On the contrary, the conservatives favored the status quo consisting of various systems and hierarchies. The conservatives further intimated that social disorder and chaos would ensue if liberalization of the political system occurred. Contrary to the opinion of the liberals, the conservatives favored a system that promoted classism but remained opposed to anything that would radically alter the Latin America government.
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The conflict between these two entities continued to intensify throughout the 19 th century. Some of the individuals significantly engaged in the war included the members of the creole, white, or landed elite. In the wake of this particular strife between the liberals and the conservatives, systems that came into place in the colonial days such as the patronage of the elite and slavery meant that the minority Indians and Africans had little to no power in comparison ruling class made up of the creole. Therefore, the conservatives continued with their company citing that the liberalization would lead to a particular type of disorder caused by the race war. In the long end, the conservatives, known as the Caudillos, occupied power in parts of the Latin American society including Mexico and Argentina. 2 As a result, they engaged in the protection and restoration of various traditional norms synonymous with the people.
The Fight for Independence
The "Letter from Jamaica" by Simon Boliver documents some of the difficulties experienced during the struggle of independence and the instabilities that followed. Simon Boliver was a leading figure in the fight for the independence. While in exile, he issued a letter documenting his perspectives with regards to the ongoing war. First, he acknowledges the torture that the citizens have had to endure as a result of exposure to the colonialists. He writes, "…and of your commiseration with her for the tortures she has suffered from the time of her discovery until the present at the hands of the destroyers, the Spaniards…" 3 Bolivia continues to paint a picture ofa people who have not only suffered but also lost hope. The treatments by the Spanish colonialists inspired a sense of fear which disoriented the Latin American heading to independence. Most fundamentally, the war of independence had a toll on some of the regions that fell under Latin America. For instance, Venezuela, "events there have moved so rapidly, and the devastation has been such that it is reduced to frightful desolation and almost absolute indigence…" 4
It, therefore, means that it was always going to be difficult for these countries to recuperate fully heading into a period of independence. The destruction caused by the Spaniards was almost beyond repair, and this meant that the new leaders would suffer political, social, and economic problems as a result. Many people died as a result of the wars indicating that only a few people remained that could engage in the rebuilding of the Latin American world after receiving their much-awaited independence. The fight was not only gruesome and devastating, left a negative legacy that was employed by many leaders who came after. The oppressive and dictatorial tendencies, therefore, continued leading to massive instability.
Economic Considerations
The struggle for independence manifested through the efforts of the leaders in Latin America to find the most appropriate ways that would assist them to transit from the European monarch system to sovereign statehood. The post-independence period inherited a social and economic system that continued to haunt people as they remained keen to forge a way forward. For instance, the mercantilist system played a huge role in limiting opportunities for trade and economic growth. A social network that reflected the European colonialist philosophy came to existence and promoted social injustices such as racial discrimination and privileges to a few in the society. As a result, the two main problems of exploitation and inequality experienced under the colonial rule were inherited into the new political dispensation. In a bid to gain full independence and overcome these two problems, Latin America experienced almost a decade of war. The fighting played a significant role in affecting trade, agriculture, and mining thus inhibiting the respective governments from reaching financial solvency. 5
It, therefore, meant that the government revenues significantly reduced hence leading to ballooning foreign debt and overall instability. The nations also demonstrated a lack of a constant source of income that would effectively assist in settling the huge amounts of domestic debt. Another significant economic implication that came with independence was the disintegration of Latin America's monetary union. As a result, the impact was an increased deflation, inflation, and currency manipulation all which Spain transferred to the new Indies. Other than the mercantilist system that prevented economic opportunities, trade and production significantly dwindled leading to a marked reduction in financial instability.
In conclusion, the three primary factors that led to the instability witnessed in the post-colonial Latin America included the nature of the fight for independence, ideological conflict, and the economic and social problems. Although the independence was eagerly awaited by many, the impact that was already suffered to achieve it meant that Latin America was tasked with rebuilding from scratch. The tussle between the liberals and conservatives was an ideological difference that affected the society on several fronts including the institutions of slavery and classism. Lastly, the economic problems primarily originated as a result of inheriting poor policies from the now obsolete colonial government.
Bibliography
“ Letter From Jamaica,” Simon Bolivar (1815). Retrieved from: https://library.brown.edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-2-the-colonial-foundations/primary-documents-with-accompanying-discussion-questions/document-2-simon-bolivar-letter-from-jamaica-september-6-1815/
Exploitation, Inequalities, and Resistance Chapter 14: Colonies to Nations
Tulchin, Joseph S., and John Charles Chasteen, eds. Problems in modern Latin American history: a reader. Sr Books, 1994.
1 Joseph S., Tulchin, and John Charles Chasteen, eds. Problems in modern Latin American history: a reader. Sr Books, 1994.
2 Exploitation, Inequalities, and Resistance Chapter 14: Colonies to Nations
3 “Letter From Jamaica,” Simon Bolivar (1815)
4 Ibid., 1815.
5 Exploitation, Inequalities, and Resistance Chapter 14: Colonies to Nations
