Latin American History Terms

Front 1

Columbian Exchange

Back 1

Theongoing process of exchange between the Americas and the rest of the worldsince 1492 (Living things, ideas, and technology.) Led to mestizaje in LatinAmerica.

Front 2

Hernán Cortés

Back 2

SpanishConquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire andbrought large portions of Mexico under the rule of the King of Castille. Beganfirst phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas

Front 3

Bourbon Reforms

Back 3

Spanishoverexpansion amid growing competition in Europe, wars and bankruptcies. FrenchBourbon reform policies to increase political and economic efficiency; reducepower and wealth of the Church.

Front 4

Creoles

Back 4

Highestin the social ladder, largest investors in land, and controlled most of thelabor force. (Autonomists)

Front 5

Father Miguel Hidalgo

Back 5

“TheFather of Mexican Independence.” Unconventional and enlightened Creole priest.Executed in 1811.

Front 6

Caudillo

Back 6

Traditionallyconservative military strong men. These men owned large amounts of land andeven had personal armies. (Personalism, charisma, and machismo)

Front 7

Juan Manuel de Rosas

Back 7

A caudillothat dominated Argentina’s politics. Known for using routine violence againstopponents. Protected the interest in landowners.

Front 8

Antonio López de Santa Anna

Back 8

Caudillo/Landownerin Veracruz known for dominating Mexican politics. President for 11 non-consecutiveterms. Sometimes liberal and sometimes conservative

Front 9

Reform Laws

Back 9

Liberals took control of the government in 1855. Ley Juarez: Ended special legal privileges for military/church. Ley Lerdo: Ended corporate landholding. Ley Inglesias: Forbid Church from charging high fees for services.

Front 10

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento

Back 10

Liberal (Federalist) President of Argentina from 1868-74. Political philosophy writer who had a large impact on Argentina.

Front 11

United Fruit Company

Back 11

Latin American fruits sold in Northern America and Europe. Company created from a merger of banana trading and the Boston fruit company. Largely successful, economic output. Exploited land/people brought labor force from elsewhere, and corrupted politics.

Front 12

Positivism

Back 12

Technological and material progress, capitalistic development, and accumulation of wealth directed by a paternalistic state.

Front 13

Constitution of 1917 (Mexico)

Back 13

First constitution to set social rights. Aimed to limit the power of the Roman Catholic Church. Helped frame the politics in modern-day Mexico.

Front 14

Economic Nationalism

Back 14

Latin America wanted economic independence from Europe. Demand for raw materials from Latin America dropped. Developed their own industries.

Front 15

Populism

Back 15

Appealed to the interests of the general people, not just those in power.

Front 16

Getulio Vargas

Back 16

Led Brazil as president for 18 years until he committed suicide. Favored nationalism and populism. “Father of the Poor.” Known for his work with workers’ rights.

Front 17

Dependency Theory

Back 17

The notion that wealthy states depend on economic flow from poor states to survive. Thus, making the poor poorer and the rich richer.

Front 18

Peronism

Back 18

Political movement focusing on the “three flags.” The flags were social justice, economic independence, and political sovereignty.

Front 19

Jacobo Arbenz

Back 19

Guatemalan military officer/progressive politician. Known to be a major figure in the Guatemalan Revolution.

Front 20

MNR (Bolivia)

Back 20

Bolivian political party, most important in 20th century. Lead revolution and ruled the country.