The Causes of Revolutions in Twentieth Century in Latin America - Essay Example

CAUSES OF REVOLUTIONS AND REVOLTS IN TWENTIETH CENTURY IN LATIN AMERICA The twentieth century is considered to be the century of change. The radical changes that happen across the globe were never experienced ever before. This might be the reason why the British President Sir Winston Churchill called it the 'wind' of change. The world experienced for the first them, but twice in the century, the world war. Colonialism reached its peak and ultimately resulted in to the score of independent nations. The cold war reached its height and disintegrated in the same year. Revolution, though had occurred earlier too, yet the lasting impacts the revolutions of twentieth century had, were so deeply penetrated in the root of respective nations that we can see its effects even today. Latin America was one of those lands which underwent frequent revolutions. Twentieth century as well as the Caribbean lands are no exceptions. This paper is intended to identify the various reasons for the revolutions in the Latin America. Due to the space constraints two revolutions are taken into account; the Cuban revolution in 1959 and 'tenants revolution' in Brazil in 1930. Methodology: Any revolution is not a one night process. A whole domain of social, cultural, geographical, internal and external political and/or economical factors plays their role to evolve a revolution. Thus, before analyzing the causes of revolution, it is empirical to have a glance into the social, cultural, geographical, political and/or economical setup of the land in particular and the region in general. When we will analyze them all and try to map them on the chronology of the revolution, this way the causes would be highlighted themselves. THE CUBAN REVOLUTION IN 1959 International Politics before Revolution: United States of America had helped Cuba achieve independence in 1898 from the Spanish domination, thus it was quite obvious that US had an influence over the Cuban Affairs, local as well international, since the day one. The control of the United States of America on the Cuban Economy is evident from the facts that United States had control over almost half of the land of Cuba, three fifth of the railway system, almost ninety percent of electricity production and the telephone system. Furthermore, Cuba was the main supplier of various raw materials to the United States. So we can infer that though Independent, the control of USA was yet not lesser than that of British Imperials in their colonies. Furthermore, the domination did not result in the increase in the efficiency of the overall performance of the country, so there was a general opinion in the people of Cuba, that the United State is exploiting the Cuban people for their (US) interest through the dummy leaders like Batista. (Thomas) Cuban Economy before Revolution: At first look, it appears that Cuban economy was prosperous at that time. Cuba's mortality rate of 7 per thousand was the lowest in Latin America. Its infant mortality rate was by far the lowest. Cuba's mortality rate of 7 per thousand was the lowest in Latin America. Its infant mortality rate was by far the lowest. Cuba had one automobile for every 39 inhabitants, compared with Argentina's one for every 60 and Mexico's one for every 91 people. The wage rate for industrial workers in Cuba was the highest in Latin America (as of 1957) and 9th highest in the world. However, the other side of picture so dark that this appearing brightness of Cuban Economy fade away, when someone browse through these factors. The economy was too dependent on Sugar. Wealth was unevenly distributed. Unemployment was 8% in five months of sugar harvest, but for the rest of the year, it used to be around 30%. As stated above, the economic prosperity had no trickle down effect; the only beneficiaries of the situation were the US companies in Cuba and their Cuban associates who were working for their interests. Thus there were high social tensions among the common man of Cuba. (Seers) Political Setup in Cuba: There was no reliable democratic system in Cuba. Fulgencio Batista had usurped power illegally in 1952 and was ruling as autocrat. He did not initiate development and reform strategies; his reign was corrupt and atrocious. He had been a prominent politician since 1933. (Karol) No Possibility of Peaceful Solution: Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution, was of the opinion that there is no possibility of the peaceful revolution. Initially Castro did not want the communist revolution, rather a liberal nationalist revolution to end up the corrupt regime of Batista. The Revolution: The entire revolution can be divided into three phases; the first one was the period between 1953 and before December 1956. Second was December 1956 to the mid of 1958 and the last being between mid of 1958 and 1959. In the first phase, around 100 revolutionists attacked Moncada Barracks, under the leadership of Fidel Castro. Many of them were killed and the rest were imprisoned. As a result of amnesty, he was released. He went to Mexico and established a trained army there with the purpose of bringing about a revolution in the Cuba to get rid of the corruption of Batista. Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Bayo helped them in this regard in their own capacities. When the army was properly trained, the group moved towards Cuba, with a view to topple the Batista in a swift coup. (Vickham) In the second phase, their start was very discouraging. However, later the movement took momentum with gradual ups and downs, by the end of second phase, Castro was having a significant position. The third phase was a complete success for Castro and his men as they were able to force Batista to flee on January 1, 1959. Causes summarized: As it is evident from the history of the revolution that it was led by the common men, those who were hopeless from Batista, his corruption and dictatorship. People were annoyed of him since he was a puppet in the hands of the United States of America and serving their interests rather than that of Cubans. On paper, the Cuban economy was prospering, but there was no trickle down effect. All this had created a social and economic unevenness and political as well as social tension that caused this revolution to evolve and become a success. THE REVOLUTION IN BRAZIL 1930: The economy, politics and the social setup of Brazil: Brazil was claimed as the republic for the first time in 1891 by by Marshal Manuel Deodoro de Fonseca. Due to large boom in coffee export, Brazil had become the centre for the Europeans who settled there to exploit those opportunities. Even in 1920s, the economy of Brazil was based on agriculture, yet the industrialization had started. This led to the development of working and middle class. However, the political setup was totally dominated by the landowners who wanted to suppress the rural class. Moreover, the foreigners, especially Italians who were almost the one third of immigration population, brought new political ideologies 'imported' from Europe. These ideologies propagated the significant role of the worker class in the political setup. Under these influences, the worker class started making efforts to become a part of the political arena. However, they were very disappointed by their lack of access to the political arena of the land. Socialists arranged unions and strikes but were suppressed by the government. (Levine) The workers were not the only one to be afraid of the unfair political setup. The military was also of the opinion that current political setup is unable to use the nation's natural and agro resource to use for the nation's benefit, rather foreigners are exploiting the opportunity, and thus these resources must be protected and kept safe unless the local people become able to use them for the nation's benefit. Thus they also supported the social reforms on account of the abovementioned reasons. They also thought that since the army was equipped with out date weapons, poorly trained and had no significant status in the eyes of current government. All these factors combined to have a revolution evolve. The evolution of Revolt: Finally on July 5, 1922, a small group of young officers (tenentes) launched a revolt against the government in Rio de Janerio. Though unsuccessful, yet it created a foundation for next one which was launched two years later in Sao Paulo. Though it was also suppressed, yet it disturbed the political setup to a great extent. (Levine) After this, a number of other factors besides the increasing demands of military, middle class and the urban worker also started to favor the cause. The two most important factors were worldwide economic crisis and the split among the elites over the matter of the succession to the Presidents. As a result of the great economic depression, the coffee export declined badly. However, the then President Washington Luis declined to changes the economic policies to overcome these economic changes. This discontent led to break up of the political elites and the favor for leftists increased significantly. In the presidential elections of 1930, the state machinery put their level best efforts for the triumph of the state supported candidate Prestes who was contesting with the leftist candidate Vargas. (Bethel) Vargas had the support of the smaller states, lower class and the discontented element in military. Though Vargas could not win in March; however, in October, before the inauguration of the new government, a revolt erupted leading to the assassination of the Prestes and stepping down of the then President Washington Luis. Finally the successful leftists took over the government. (Macaulay) Causes Summarized: To sum up, the main causes for revolt were suppressing the lower class, avoiding their participation in political setup (Political Inequality). There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor (social inequality) as well as failure to address the world changes, like great depression (irrational strategies and economic instability) and no attention towards the national interests (no attention towards military and protection of national resources). All this led to the evolution of the revolt. CONCLUSION: Thus we can conclude that usually the major causes for all revolutions are same. There are activities by the government which are considered by the people as anti-nationalist. There are political, economic and social inequalities. Common man is unable to get any benefit from the policies of the rulers and above all ruler's inattention is also one of the prime causes. All these factors create the basis for any revolution. Thus, the rulers must avoid these causes to happen in order to survive peacefully. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Bethell, Leslie. Brazil, Empire and Republic. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989. 2. Karol, KS. Guerrillas in Power. City: Jonathan Cape Children's Books, 1971. 3. Levine, Robert. The History of Brazil. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1999. 4. Macaulay, Neill. The Prestes Column. New York: New Viewpoints, 1974. 5. Seers, Dudley. Cuba, the Economic and Social Revolution. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1975. 6. Thomas, Hugh. The Cuban Revolution. City: Harpercollins College Div, 1977. 7. Wickham-Crowley, Timothy. Guerrillas and Revolution in Latin America. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992. Read More