State and Nation Making in Latin America and Spain (Safford) Flashcards
What characteristic did many Latin American states share in the 19th century?
They were often ‘hollow,’ lacking the capacity and will to fully exercise national authority.
This reflects the limited effectiveness of these states in asserting control over their territories.
Which five Latin American states are examined for their effectiveness in state formation?
Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
The focus is on their ability to establish public order and develop infrastructure.
What were the two primary focuses used to examine the effectiveness of the five Latin American states?
Establishing public order and developing infrastructure.
What advantages did Chile’s economic geography provide for its state formation?
Compact geography and rich mineral resources contributed to early state strength.
The centralized government established under the 1833 constitution also played a significant role.
What delayed Argentina’s unification in the 19th century?
Buenos Aires’ economic dominance and reluctance to share power.
Economic growth and the establishment of national institutions aided state consolidation later.
How did Brazil maintain governmental continuity despite its geographic challenges?
Under the monarchy, a legal and administrative elite supported the national state.
Coffee exports facilitated economic modernization.
What factors contributed to Mexico’s instability in the 19th century?
Wars, economic problems, and conflict between centralists and federalists.
The Church’s influence also played a significant role.
How did Colombia’s geography affect its state formation?
Its mountainous terrain hindered economic integration and political cohesion.
What are the seven variables considered in analyzing state development?
- Economic geography
- Political geography
- Fiscal strength
- Public acceptance of the political system
- Military control
- Role of the Church
- External vulnerability
Which variable was generally less significant in state formation in Latin America?
External vulnerability.
What role did the Church play in the political landscape of Mexico and Colombia?
It was a major source of conflict and armed struggle.
In contrast, it was less significant in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.
Fill in the blank: Economic and political geography appear to be relatively important variables influencing state development, with _______ being particularly beneficial for Chile.
compact political geography
What was a common outcome of success in foreign trade for Latin American states?
It often led to the emergence and strengthening of the state.
True or False: Control of the standing army was a consistent success across all examined Latin American states.
False.
What does the concept of the ‘hollow state’ imply about Latin American states during economic growth?
The state’s limited reach and capacity constrained its ability to fully direct or benefit from economic activity.
What implications does the source have on Latin American economic history theories?
It suggests state formation was often driven by success in foreign commerce, highlighting the variability of economic development across nations.
How did the timing and nature of integration into the global economy affect state development in Latin America?
Different export products significantly shaped state development.
What hindered state building in early Mexico and Colombia?
Economic stagnation or instability.
How did late integration into the global market affect Colombia’s economic development?
It led to distinct consequences, delaying significant economic benefits until the 20th-century coffee boom.
What is the central argument regarding state development in 19th century Latin America?
Latin American states were largely ‘hollow,’ often lacking the capacity and will to effectively exercise authority associated with nation-states.
The process of state formation varied across the region, with different factors influencing success or failure.
Which specific countries are examined in the study of state formation during the 19th century?
Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
The focus is primarily on their effectiveness in establishing public order and infrastructure development.
What are the seven key variables influencing state development in 19th century Latin America?
- Economic geography
- Political geography
- Relative economic and fiscal strength
- Public acceptance of political systems
- Degree of military control by civil authorities
- Church as a political competitor
- Vulnerability to external attack or pressure.
The impact of each variable varied across different countries.
How was Chile an exception to the general trend of political disorder in post-independence Spanish America?
Chile’s compact population and territory facilitated integration, supported by abundant exportable mineral resources and a stable political system under the 1833 constitution.
The decisive defeat of federalists in 1830 contributed to its stability.
How did geography and the economic dominance of Buenos Aires affect state formation in Argentina?
Buenos Aires’s control of port and customs revenues allowed it to dominate other provinces, resisting shared power and hindering national unification.
The policies of Juan Manuel de Rosas entrenched regionalism, delaying national unity until the late 19th century.
