Developing New Nations in the Americas - Essay Example

? World history World history Introduction The new nations in Americas in eighteenth and nineteenth century’s countries in Central America and South America experienced weak political and economic institutions that hindered the rate of economic development thus leading to instability (Strayer, 2013). The former colonies and developing countries in the twentieth century experienced unequal distribution of wealth and widespread poverty due to colonialism (Strayer, 2013). Accordingly, the developing countries started mining precious metals like diamonds that were sold to former colonizers in return for imports. The developing countries had low levels of education and depended on manual labor thus leading to high costs of production and low output in the economy. The former colonies and developing countries were faced by several ethnic based tensions and conflicts due to struggle for control of political power and natural resources like land and grazing fields that supported the economy (Strayer, 2013). Accordingly, several developing countries engaged in wars with each other due to poorly documented international borders that were demarcated by the colonial powers in order to ease the control of violent tribal groups (Strayer, 2013). Differences in experiences of the former colonies and developing countries in the twentieth century to the earlier ‘new nations’ in the Americas in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries After attainment of independence, experienced internal power conflicts among the several states since the federal government had the powers to set the public policies and collect taxes across the country (Strayer, 2013). Accordingly, some states worried that centralization of power would lead to abuse of human rights and thus amendments to the US constitution was necessary in order to entrench the bill of rights (Strayer, 2013). The ‘new nations’ in Americas attained independence after revolutions that occurred in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The French revolution, Spanish and Portuguese revolutions led to creation of independent countries in Latin America such as Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina. However, internal divisions in Latin America marked the onset of creation of many of the new governments and countless revolts that prohibited Latin America from being united (Strayer, 2013). The new nations experienced political instability due to lack of constitutions and weak political systems that granted opportunity to rise of military leaders. Latin American new nations experienced social instability since the ruling elite and rebellions that led to mass murders and population transfers from native agricultural lands (Strayer, 2013). Central and North America experienced high growth in trade-networks and economic expansion of commercial agriculture due to availability of indentured servitudes that came from countries like India and China (Strayer, 2013). Accordingly, ‘new nations’ Americas saw growth in the size of militaries in the 19th century due to increased war tensions and military innovation by European countries. The encounter with other people and migration of the citizens led to diseases like smallpox, measles and influenza thus leading to death of thousands of citizens in those countries (Strayer, 2013). The new nations experienced religious revival and Great Awakening that spread across America due to advent of evangelicalism that believed new ‘new birth’ in spreading the gospel. There was spread of various religious denominations such as Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians that countered the beliefs of Quakers and Congregationalists (Strayer, 2013). The former colonies experienced neo-colonialism that contributed to decline in autonomy and political viability of the existing independent states. The former colonizers desired to maintain their influence through providing economic assistance in return for development contracts and markets for goods thus contributing to cordial relations with the former oppressors (Strayer, 2013). Generally, the absence of internal political structures and national identities made it easy for the former colonial masters to intervene in the internal affairs of their former colonies. The former colonies and developing countries in the twentieth century experienced high level of patriotism that led to resistance of all attempts of colonialism (Strayer, 2013). Differences in experiences of the former colonies and developing countries in the twentieth century to the earlier ‘new nations’ in the Americas in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Both ‘new nations’ Americas and former colonies did not have clear national identities and strong political institutions thus leading to internal conflicts and rise in military leaders. The new nations struggled with establishment of national symbols, whether to establish federal or centralized systems of governance (Strayer, 2013). Accordingly, former colonies and developing countries experienced rise in military dictators and ethnic clashes due to struggle for political power and economic resources in the countries between several ethnic tribes. Another significant similarity is the rise in several religious faiths such as evangelical Christianity that weakened the political and social power of Catholic Church in new nations and affected the traditions and cultures of citizens in former colonies and developing countries (Strayer, 2013). In addition, another clear similarity is the militarism due to unclear political structures and need to cling to power through formation of large armies that later led to a series of revolts and coups in several countries (Strayer, 2013). Conclusion The developing countries and former colonies in some parts of the world experienced inter-kingdom and ethnic struggles for control of the weak governments and resources thus leading to low rate of economic development. The former colonies experienced continuous internal conflicts due to demands for opportunity and inclusion since many citizens believed that harsh discrimination that was associated with colonial rule ended with the attainment of independence. The elite citizens formed several organizations in order to foster self-interests and increase opportunities for the ruling class. Accordingly, the former colonies and developing countries faced religious opposition since the anti-colonial uprisings wanted to restore their traditions, culture and religious ceremonies. Accordingly, the African Christians wanted equality and fairness and started forming their own independent churches. However, the ‘new nations’ still experienced political instability, but expanded trade-networks since the former colonies wanted to maintain their influence and control the trade routes and markets in those countries. By the end of twentieth century, several developing countries and former colonies experienced rapid growth in economies, educational systems, trade networks and political infrastructures due to the formation of several international economic organizations such as International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. Reference Strayer, Robert. W. (2013). Ways of the world: a brief history with sources, volume 2: since 1500. 2nd Edition. New York: Bedford/St Martin’s. Read More