StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Developing New Nations in the Americas - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay "Developing New Nations in the Americas" focuses on the critical analysis of the development of new nations in the Americas. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, countries in Central America and South America experienced weak political and economic institutions…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.9% of users find it useful
Developing New Nations in the Americas
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Developing New Nations in the Americas"

? 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
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“World History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
World History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1492033-world-history
(World History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
World History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/history/1492033-world-history.
“World History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1492033-world-history.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Developing New Nations in the Americas

Manifest Destiny and the Forcible Removal of American Indians

Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion in America From the 14th century to as late as the 1840s, Europeans fled to the new World of America in search of religious freedom and a new life.... Consequently, the Americans found it necessary to spread westward in search of new land to cultivate, to build on, and new livelihood to undertake....
11 Pages (2750 words) Research Paper

Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq. Stephen Kinzer

This has, instead of strengthening the country, weakened its stability and has lit the fire of anti-Americanism across many nations.... It has been the part of the US foreign policy for over a decade to elevate them, to spread their power, even if it takes them to curb other nations, while showing an innocent face to the world over.... It tells us about the audacity of military commanders, spies, politicians and businessmen, who took it upon themselves to overthrow monarchs and presidents of nations, where America deemed a war necessary to attain political power....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Role of the judiciary

This was a time when the nation was merely a disorganized confederation of thirteen states, each of which were conducting themselves as nations in their own right (Brzezinski, 2004).... Foreign policy has to do with subjects concerning American diplomacy, military interventions in other nations, international partnerships, and how it conducts its economic power.... It also has to do with America's treaties with other nations and its selection of American ambassadors to other nations....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Overthrow: Americas Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq by Stephen Kinzer

This has, instead of strengthening the country, weakened its stability and has lit the fire of anti-Americanism across many nations.... It has been the part of the US foreign policy for over a decade to elevate them, to spread their power, even if it takes them to curb other nations while showing an innocent face to the world over.... This study will present a critical analysis of the book 'Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq' by Stephen Kinzer, who has worked as a foreign correspondent with The new York Times in more than fifty countries on different continents....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Global Change Threatens the Liberal Order

The paper "Global Change Threatens the Liberal Order" discusses that it is evident that the americas has started to show revival signs through their disinterest in foreign policies and roll back of funds from international defense, foreign policies, and foreign aid.... he optimist view for international liberal order goes forth to discuss that all states can overcome constraints to cooperate, thereby resolving security issues, working towards collective action, and consequently, developing a stable and open system (Steins, 2004)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

The post American world

The rise of other countries into powerful governments poses one challenge: the ability for nations to agree on various issues decreases.... The rise of other countries into powerful governments poses one challenge: the ability for nations to agree on various issues decreases.... As the economies of other nations grow, the level of nationalism also increases.... Throughout history, great nations have used their powers to spread their influence across the world....
4 Pages (1000 words) Book Report/Review

The American Character

While other nations are founded on the basis of a race, or by the power of emperors or kings that accumulated large tracts of land as well the peasants that inhabited these lands, America is found to be different in that it was founded on a shared belief that is embodied in the American Creed.... The American Creed is important as in developing this creed, Page was careful to incorporate in what is a brief but clear statement, the basic American ideals, and traditions as expressed by the country's founders and its leading writers and statesmen (Bennett, 219)....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

American Religious groups and History

Presbyterians in Pennsylvania and new Jersey were the earliest active religious groups under the leadership of Reverend William Tennent and his family.... The author of this essay "American Religious groups and History" casts light on the religious groups of the USA.... It is stated that America and its colonies got their first religious awakening between the 1730s and 1770s in which there was a religious revitalization....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us