The seeds of rebellion and eventual independence in Latin America were sewn by Spanish hypocrisy from the beginning of their occupation of the Americas. Race, and therefore racial hierarchy and racism, are a prevalent theme from the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Early ideas of a racial hierarchy brought to America by the Spanish would…
All posts in Latin American History
Cortes and the Aztecs
How did Cortes subdue the once-great empire? The Conquistador’s desire to explore new worlds, gain political power and win fame and fortune motivated their actions and had a great impact on the New World. Licensed by the Spanish Crown, they endured extreme challenges to search for “The Indies” and its coveted spices. But primarily, it…
The Porfirato: Nationalist Reactions to Neocolonialism in Mexico
Despite securing hard-fought independence from Spain in the early 19th century, Latin America experienced a neocolonial resurgence that renewed feelings of oppression throughout the region. Neocolonialism was generally reinforced by strong-man, caudillo-type leaders. These people usually came to power by leveraging a supposed link with the commoner, only to bend to outside influence under the…