The Path to Independence: The Case for Mexico, Chile and Brazil - Term Paper Example

The Path to Independence: The Case for Mexico, Chile and Brazil 1.0 Introduction Despite the modernity and the civility of world affairs, many of the countries today were shaped by events guided by the so called principle of colonialism. This holds true for almost all nations of the world who had their present territories previously belonging to the major European powers during the 15th and even extending up to the 19th century. Countries such as Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom set sail to the unchartered waters to establish political power, religious dominance and resource markets. The continent of South America had been dominated by Spain and Portugal who even drew up a treaty dividing the world between them. Native inhabitants were powerless against the superior firearm and the onslaught of foreign disease leading to their colonization. The previously free spirited populace was organized into communities and were made as labourers in gold mines and plantations. Their rights were limited and their life left to the whims of the captors. There were many excesses on the part of the victors and many sacrifices on the part of the conquered. Nevertheless, they would continue to bear this yolk as their beliefs and grudges were tempered by religious missions which instilled superstitious beliefs and damned all those who tried to break free from the system. Yet, even that could not prevent the inevitable. With the weakening of Spain and Portugal in the face of its French adversary and the rise of nationalistic sentiments, it was not long before the populace rebelled against those who have wronged them. This paper aims at investigating the fight for independence of three South American countries namely Mexico, Brazil and Chile. I am to discuss their colonial background and then highlight the similarities and difference in their fight for independence. I will also be discussing the possible reasons behind these so as to provide a more critical perspective regarding the history of the three nations. 2.0 South America Colonized Brazil became a Portuguese colony by the early part of 16th century with the earliest accounts of contact dating April 22, 1500 with the conquest of Pedro Alvares Cabral. The region soon became a major sugar, gold and diamond exporter. Brazil’s road to independence started in September 1821 when Don Pedro, a Portuguese himself, defied the ruling of the Cortes in Portugal which placed the Kingdom of Brazil under direct control of Lisbon. The first confrontation involved the loyal- to-Lisbon troops and thousands of armed Brazilians. There was no bloodshed as Dom Pedro ordered the Portuguese commanding general and his soldiers to go back to Portugal. Bloodshed occurred in uprisings in other regions. Fuelled by being branded as traitors by Lisbon, Don Pedro finally declared independence in September 7, 1822 when he swore:"By my blood, by my honour, and by God: I will make Brazil free." Britain and Portugal recognized Brazilian independence by signing a treaty on August 29, 1825. (Cavaliero, 1993) Mexico’s path to independence was much more violent than that of Brazil. Mexico experienced a decade long war starting with an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and Spanish colonial authorities on September 16, 1810. The Mexican War of Independence movement was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Afro-mexicans and mestizos who sought independence from Spain. It started as an idealistic peasants' rebellion against their colonial masters, but finally ended as an unlikely alliance between conservative Spaniards not wanting to recognize the new head in their motherland and the Creoles (Spaniards born in Mexico) who instigated the cry for independence. Representatives of the Spanish crown and the head of the Mexican alliance signed on August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba which recognized Mexican independence. (Ruiz, 1992) Chile’s move for independence came about when news of Napoleon's advance into Spain and the deposing of the Spanish King Ferdinand VII reached the colony in 1810. The independence of Chile from Spain was officially achieved on February 12, 1818 although the process continued as late as 1826. Chilean independence saw a series of major battles resulting to a see saw of power from independence forces to royalists and back. However, the independence forces ultimately defeated the royalists in 1824. (Lynch, 1973) 3.0 Finding Commonalities 3.1 Leadership The war for independence of the three countries mentioned has many factors common to them. To start with, the leadership of the war for independence were composed of those who were of European descent but were born and raised in the colony. The Creoles of Mexico and Chile and Don Pedro of Brazil were not natives in the sense of the word. They were all of European blood but of colonial upbringing. 3.2 Excessive Extraction of Financial Resources War, however, are not won by leaders alone. They are won by a multitude of other factors and it is in this respect that we find other similarities in the war of independence of Mexico, Brazil and Chile. The conditions that pervaded the social scene and that which inspired the insurrection for all the countries were almost the same. For example, the motherland (both Spain and Portugal) exacted resources from the country by employing measures that are detrimental to every one’s financial status in the colony. The Spanish and Portuguese government was seemingly unaware of colonial dissatisfaction. They had problems of their own. Spain and Portugal was embroiled in the Napoleonic wars which required large financial resources to support the army. They deemed it appropriate to exact the money from the colonies resulting to the raising of taxes and appropriation of the wealth of the Church. This burden was passed on to the already disgruntled populace. Seizure and forced sale at auction of many properties became common and most of it belonged to those with European descent. 3.3 The Confusion and Division in Authority Continental Europe was in turmoil due to the Napoleonic wars which saw the defeat of Spain and the abdication of King Charles IV of Spain in favour of his son, Prince Ferdinand. The ensuing events saw the rapid shift of power from King Charles, Napoleon, Cities in Spain, Spanish Parliament to Ferdinand again. After becoming King, Ferdinand did not honour the Constitution drafted by Parliament which was a breach of the agreement between him and his people. Napoleon was also able to conquer Portugal who was maintaining relations with their nemesis, Great Britain. With the swift in authority and the violations of agreements, the Spaniards at the colonies were in disagreement of whom to honour and whom to follow. The turmoil set the stage for the rise to power of the colonial Spaniards in the colony who were still hurting from the losses incurred during the heavy taxation and acquisition of properties. The resulting losses of Spain in colonies made the Lisbon court fear that it would not take long before Brazil would do the same. The Portuguese court demanded that Brazilian affairs be directed by officers appointed by the Lisbon court. This undermined the authority of Don Pedro which was very popular with the people of the Kingdom of Brazil. Lisbon’s interference and demands made them even more unpopular even with those who were of the same descent. 3.4 Inequalities under the Caste System I have already mentioned that independence was led by people with European descent but with colonial upbringing. There was a certain degree of animosity between the Peninsulares or Gauchapine (European born whites) and the Criollos or Creoles (Colonial born whites) with the former claiming superiority. Also, both castes were, by law, politically and socially above the mixed bloods, the Mestizo and Mulattos, who were socially and legally superior to the Indians, who were socially superior to the Negroes. The social stratification created by the caste system was rigidly enforced and led to many problems and hatreds between the castes. Portugal also employed similar race differentiation. The Criollo men (Colonial born whites) were already angry, as they were prevented by law from holding the highest ranking positions in the church and the government, positions their parents held, simply because their parents had been born in Europe and they had been born in New Spain. This created a great deal of jealously and discontent. The Indians and Blacks, for most of the colonial period, were subject to a tax that applied only for them. If the tribute was not paid, that individual could be thrown in jail. The Criollos and the Mestizos blamed the Spanish government for policies that limited their ability to socially advance. The Indians and Blacks blamed the government of New Spain, Brazil and Chile for the harsh life they were forced to live. Thus, the independence movement had a common source of anger. 4.0 Differences Chile and Mexico’s path to independence were marked by years of strife often leading to many casualties. Mexico went into a period of a decade long war while Chile experienced defeats that undermined the whole movement for independence. Brazil went into a relatively “bloodshed free” transition to independence. It is not free of casualties per se but there were only a few deaths as compared to the two other countries. With regards to length of the search of independence, Brazil relatively had to struggle for a shorter period of time. Brazil’s independence came about due to the efforts of the instituted king in the person of Dom Pedro. The man was also the consistent figure head of the search for freedom unlike Mexico and Chile who had many prominent freedom fighters. While the Spanish dominated colonies resorted to juntas or temporary form of civil government, Brazil retained most of its government structure. The struggle of Chile and Mexico differs in the fact that the latter only achieved when conservative (pro Spain) forces joined with the pro-independent forces. Chile’s pro independent forces didn’t have to form any sort of alliance although the persecution of the rebels by the Royalists when they returned to power made the conservatives rethink their loyalties. The leaders of Chile were all pro-independence while Mexico had the paladin of pro-Spain forces in the person Agustin de Iturbide to win the war. Conclusion Mexico, Chile and Brazil’s colonial history is very much alike given the many similarities in the colonization style of Spain and Portugal. Chile and Mexico’s path to independence are very similar in degree of violence and length of the struggle as well as the background of the major personalities of the war. Brazil differs in the fact that its independence was much more easily achieved. Nevertheless, the movements were mainly caused by the political instability in their motherland due to the Napoleonic Wars. Bibliography Lynch, John (1973), The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826, W.W. Northon & Company Inc., New York. Ruiz, Ramon Eduardo (1992). Triumphs and Tragedy, a History of the Mexican People, W.W. Norton & Company, New York. Cavaliero, Roderick (1993).The Independence of Brazil. I.B. Tauris:London Read More