The U.S. in Latin America- Part I

Mexico-Texas

100

What is Manifest Destiny and what is the significance of Manifest Destiny to the Mexican–American War?

Manifest Destiny is the belief that God intended for Anglo-Saxons to spread their culture across the American continent, from ocean to ocean. Because their culture was superior to other cultures and because they there blessed by God, it was appropriate for the U.S. to use force to achieve this goal.

This is how many justified war against Mexico to gain more territory.

200

Why is there tension between Mexico and the Americans that move into the Tejas (Texas) territory?

Many of the Americans that move onto the Mexican territory known as Tejas do not follow the rules set out by the Mexican government.

Also many more Americans move in than Mexico expected. Many bring slaves, do no convert to Catholicism, and do no obey Mexican laws. They also begin to declare independence from Mexico because they would like to become part of the U.S.

300

What is the significance of the Nueces River?

-How does this river play a role in the Mexican-American War?

The Nueces River was the traditional border between Mexico and the United States. It is where Mexico thought the border would stay after Mexico lost the Texas territory to the United States. However, President Polk demanded the border be at the Rio Grande, which was much further south and granted to the U.S. much more territory.

400

Put these events in order:

a) Texas declares itself independent from Mexico
b) President Polk insists the Texas border is the Rio Grande and Mexico gives up more land a treaty that ends the Mexican-American War
c) Texas becomes a U.S. state
d) Mexico invites American to come live on its territory
e) The U.S. declares war on Mexico after a U.S. soldier is killed

d) Mexico invites American to come live on its territory
a) Texas declares itself independent from Mexico
c) Texas becomes a U.S. state
e) The U.S. declares war on Mexico after a U.S. soldier is killed
b) President Polk insists the Texas border is the Rio Grande and Mexico gives up more land a treaty that ends the Mexican-American War

500

How does war begin between Mexico and the United States?

After Texas is accepted as a new US state, Mexico refuses to give up the Texas territory. Mexico and the U.S. send troops to the disputed Texas area. When a U.S. soldier is killed, the U.S. declares war against Mexico.

Cuba

100

What is unique about the insurgents (rebels) in the Cuban Wars for Independence?

Who makes up the group fighting Spain and why is that significant?

The insurgents in the Cuban Wars for Independence were an interracial fighting force made up of blacks, whites, mulattos, and mestizos.

Interestingly, Spanish warnings that a race war would break out in Cuba during this time never came true.

200

The significance of the USS Maine to our study of Latin America.

-What is it?
-Why is it in Cuba?
-What role does it play historically?

The USS Maine was a warship sent to Cuba to protect U.S. citizens during Cuba's war against Spain. When the Maine exploded mysteriously, the U.S. blamed Spain and joined the war, ultimately beating Spain and helping Cuba to win its independence.

300

Put these events in order:

a) The Little War
b) The Final War
c) U.S. Involvement
d) The Ten Years War
e) The Monroe Doctrine

e) The Monroe Doctrine
d) The Ten Years War
a) The Little War
b) The Final War
c) U.S. Involvement

400

Name two reasons that the 10 Years War (the first of the Cuban Wars for Independence) begins?

-What causes the Cubans to rebel?
-What is happening in Latin America at the time that would cause this?

The Ten Years War begins for a many reasons:

-Spain promises changes, but no change happens
-Taxes are raised on Cuba, making life harder for many
-Cubans have seen many other Latin American countries have gain independence
-Carlos Manuel de Cespedes gives “Grito de Yara” which inspires the Cuban people to fight
-Enlightenment ideals of freedom and equality inspire the leaders of Cuba to fight for independence

500

What is the significance of General Weyler?

-Who was he?
-Why is he important to our study of Latin America?

General Welyer was a general in the Spanish army. He was called in to deal with Cuban civilians that were aiding the insurgents against Spain. He set up "re-concentration camps" where civilians were sent. Many died there from disease and malnutrition.

Post-Independence

100

Who are the caudillos?

- Who are the caudillos?
-What traits do they have? /How do they rule?

Caudillos are “strongmen” or dictators who rule by having:

-Armed followers/thugs to enforce their rule
-A big personality
-Patronage (getting people jobs etc. in exchange for support)

200

Name one important SOCIAL institution in post-independence Latin America?

-Why is it important?

Military becomes powerful:
-Keeps control for the rich
-Some poor get jobs in army
Church continues to have power:
-Owns 50% of the land
-Influences personal & political life

300

What is ECONOMIC life like in Latin America after independence?

-How is trade different from before?
-How is the economy the same?
-Who does economic success still depend on?

-Can now trade with anyone
-Focus on trade with Europe not local
-No focus on factories—all about exporting natural resources
-Success of Latin America (still) depends on European countries

400

What is SOCIAL life like in Latin America after independence?

-Who can be educated?
-What is the significance of land?
-Where do the poor still work mostly?

-Land = power
-No redistribution of land
-Poor work on large farms for creoles for low wages
-Education for the wealthy only
-Wealthy class mostly white/European

500

What is POLITICAL life like in Latin America after independence?

-What are some internal political issues?
-What are some external issues?

Internal issues:
-No suffrage (voting rights) for the poor—only literate landowners can vote in most places
-Constant battles for power—new presidents all the time = no stable government

External issues:
-European countries keep invading!
-Focus is on defense not on building up country

Foreign Policy

100

What is the significance of the “Big Stick” foreign policy toward Latin America?

-What is “Big Stick” foreign policy?
-Whose policy was this?
-What is an example of the “Big Stick” in action in Latin America?

“Big Stick” foreign policy is the use of the military to collect debts and ensure that Latin American countries do no go against U.S. interests.

It was instituted by President Teddy Roosevelt who said he would “speak softly and carry and big stick…” The best example of the Big Stick in action was Teddy Roosevelt’s actions in Panama to gain access to build the canal there.

200

What is the significance of the Monroe Doctrine?

-What does the Monroe Doctrine say?
-Why was the Monroe Doctrine necessary at the time?

The Monroe Doctrine says that European countries should stay out of independent countries in Latin America. It “closes” Latin America to new European intervention/colonies. This applied only to independent governments in the Americas however, not to areas that were colonies at that time.

It was necessary because Europeans were continuously trying to conquer and re-conquer countries in Latin America at this time, and the U.S. was fearful of having European military so close to its borders.

300

What is the significance of the Platt Amendment?

-What does it allow the U.S. to do?
-What does this tell us about U.S. foreign policy at the time?

The Platt Amendment says:
-United States can lease or buy lands in Cuba to use as bases for US Navy
-Limits Cuba’s ability to borrow from other countries or make treaties with them.
-United States has the right to intervene in Cuban affairs for the “preservation of Cuban independence and to protect American lives and property”
-This marks a turn toward a more involved/imperialistic foreign policy toward Latin America

400

What is the significance of the Roosevelt Corollary?

-What does the Roosevelt Corollary say?
-How is this a shift in foreign policy?
-How does this change the Monroe Doctrine?

The Roosevelt Corollary is a shift in foreign policy made by Teddy Roosevelt. In his corollary, Roosevelt says that the U.S. has the right to intervene (get involved) in Latin America under certain conditions: if countries in Latin America do not pay their debts, or if they do things that are against U.S. interests.

500

What is the significance of Dollar Diplomacy?

-What is Dollar Diplomacy?
-Which U.S. president initiates this foreign policy?
-What is the goal of this foreign policy?
-How is this a change from the U.S.’s previous foreign policy?

Dollar Diplomacy is a foreign policy instituted by President Taft.

Taft substituted “dollars for bullets” by lending money to Latin America in an attempt to STABILIZE the region. The U.S. hoped that stability would help protect their $$ interests in Latin America.

This was a shift from the “Big Stick” policy of President Teddy Roosevelt that used the military to achieve U.S. goals in the region.

Throw Backs(Senior Final)

100

What is the significance of the Creole class in Latin America?

-Who are the creole class?
-Why do they lead the fight for independence across Latin America?
-What status do they have in Latin America and how do they feel about social equality?

The Creoles are of European decent (they are white), but are born in Latin America. They are different from the Pennisulares because they are from Latin America.

They lead the fight for independence because they want a greater role in government, more economic freedom, and because they do not want a full scale social revolution in Latin America. They have a privileged status and generally do not want social equality.

200

What is the significance of maroon communities in colonial Latin America?

-What are maroon communities?
-Who made up maroon communities?
-Why did maroon communities present a threat to colonial powers?

Maroon communities are communities of run-away slaves. They were often made up of both African and indigenous slaves. They present a threat to colonial powers because thy represented an important challenge to colonial oppression and created fear in colonies.

300

What is the significance of Father Miguel Hidalgo to Latin America?

-What country is Father Hidalgo fighting for?
-What does he want to gain for the people of his country?
-Why don’t most other creoles support his fight for independence?

Father Hidalgo is a creole from Mexico. He wants to fight for the independence of Mexico, but also wants to end slavery and achieve social equality among all races. This does not make him popular with most other creoles who do not want full scale social equality.

400

What is the significance of patriarchy?

-What colonial institutions use patriarchy?
-Who makes decisions in a patriarchal system?
-What effect does patriarchy have on women?

Patriarchy is rule by men, usually fathers, over others, but especially women. Patriarchy impacted women in Colonial Latin America by preventing them from making their own decisions. (Father, Priest, Husband)

Patriarchy is seen in the family, the church, and the government.

500

What is the significance of mercantilism?

-What is mercantilism?
-What are the effects of mercantilism on Latin America?
-Who benefits most from mercantilism?

Mercantilism is the global economic system practiced curing colonialism. Based on a belief that the strongest country is the one that has the most gold and silver. It says that colonies are meant to enrich the mother country.

The colonies supply raw materials, the colonizer makes finished goods and then sell them back to the colonies for a profit.

Makes colonies dependent on colonizing countries (Europeans)