Chapter 11, Towards an Uncertain Future looks into some more modern issues that have occurred or are occurring in Latin America. Economic situations, lead to further conflicts in regions across Latin America. These conflicts have lead to corruption in the governments, revolts, and riots, all which have contributed to major changes throughout the region. These reactions could be classified as political discontent. It has been found that North America has had implications, and major contributions to Latin America. As migration from Latin America to North America, specifically the United States required created a pattern of new work positions such as agricultural or services industry. Document 11.1 Summary of Judgment & Order of Superior Court of Nueva Loja, Aguinda v. ChevronTexaco showed the specific details of Chevrons case, in terms of his liability, misconduct, and legal defenses. In the liability section, it stated how they were fully aware of all issues that were harmful/damaging but continued to use them to the fact that it was “least” expensive. The fact that they were not meeting health or safety regulations, and inflicting environmental harm but still Chevron has the nerve to attempt justify that fact that they are not to be held liable. Overall, I find this document to be very complex and somewhat upsetting, as corporate law is often is often in a way corrupt itself, it is difficult to legally compete against them. Many large corporations seem to always find a way out of “sticky” situations, even though the majority knows that there is definitely wrongs being down by these companies, they are often just to power to stand up against. I find that the modern day world is fun by large companies such as these; they hold power, almost more power than the government. I know in the United States this is the case, and I would be interested in finding out if in Latin America is also in a situation, were large companies such as ChevronTexaco hold a large deal of power in the region. While reading many of the documents from this textbook throughout the term, it appears the power is often placed in the hands of people who abuse it, or miss use it. The rulers who have abused their power, often have left identifiable signs of corruption in the their government systems. Large companies will continue to ignore rules and regulations, and fight backing from accepting the consequences.

Source One: Afro-Latin America, 1800-2000

Citation: Andrews, George Reid. Afro-Latin America, 1800-2000. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

http://lib.myilibrary.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/Open.aspx?id=50188.

Immigration into the Latin America region increased during the 1800s on for multiple reasons, one of the most dominate being slavery. The African population drastically increased across almost all nations located within the borders of Latin America. This created an evident shift in ethnic relations throughout the region, giving rise to the term Afro-Latin American. This term was used to describe Africans, or Mulattos (mixed races) whom consisted of both African and Latin American heritage. It was also used as a way to describe Latin America as a national region where a large portion of the majority consisted of a high African population.

The Afro-Latin Americans were largely being used for slavery, and as such, they were directly given a low social status, therefore Andrews (2004) stated that “people of present day Afro-Latin America struggle to escape the economic heritage of poverty and dependency left by plantation agriculture, the colour of their skin is an indicator of low social status.” (P.5) Concluding from this statement, it is evident that modern Afro-Latin Americans struggle to disassociate themselves from their roots. As a result of the social and economic positions their ancestors were in, still find themselves being classified and viewed as less then the average Caucasian or Hispanic individual in the Americas, based on superficial reasons such as skin colour.

This book brings to light the differences between Latin America, and North America in the context of the “superior” race. As Andrews (2004) states “In Latin America racial boundaries have historically been much more fluid and flexible than in the United States,” (P.6) This was shown when people in Latin America, developed social or economic theories and ideas of ways in which an Afro-Latin American could “whiten” the darkness of their skin. It appears the Latin America had been attempting to welcome racial differences into the region, compared to the United States, which during those times was preventing the social or economic rise of any citizen containing African ethnicity. Although, attempts were being made to improve the status of Afro-Latin Americans, negative ideas of African ancestry continued to persist in Latin American society.

With attempts for freedom, or liberation for Afro-Latin Americas there always seemed to by some type of colonial racial law preventing them from navigating away from their present state of poverty. The majority of Afro-Latin American slaves were present in the Brazil region, due to a persistent need for plantation slavery. Plantation slavery created the opportunity for large communities of Afro-Latin Americans to form. These formations soon lead to the uprising and revolutions of slaves all across the region. Andrews (2004) creates the assumption that the idea/triggering event for the slave to consider revolting came from the French Revolution. He argued that the French Revolution was an example and lesson of how to properly overthrow and ancient regime. It was the revolutions throughout Latin American that allowed for change in freedom for Afro-Latin Americans, whom to this day may still struggle with being treated differently due to racial differences.

Source Two: A Revolution for Our Rights: Indigenous Struggles for Land and Justice in Bolivia, 1880-1952

Citation: Gotkowitz, Laura. A Revolution for Our Rights: Indigenous Struggles for Land and Justice in Bolivia, 1880-1952. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2007.

http://read.dukeupress.edu.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/content/a-revolution-for-our-rights.

The indigenous people of Bolivia are struggling for equality. They would like to see that everyone is treated the same, special treatment is not reserved from anyone within the borders of Bolivia. Laura Gotkowitz (2007) mentions that “Over a period of almost two decades, Cruz and hundreds of other community activists deluged public officials with petitions demanding the return of stolen land, equal ‘‘protection and guarantees’’ (amparo y garantías), and armed force to shield the community from abuse by landlords and local state officials.” (P.2) With these demands coming from citizens of Bolivia, it is clearly evident that equality is not present, and that wealthy or more dominant social class, is taking property from the lower class societies. The land being taken could in fact be vital for survival and continuation of people’s families. Unfortunately, these demands were not meet, which soon resulted in rural uprisings, that largest ones of the twentieth century in Bolivia.

In the uprisings they were fighting against a state ruled by landlords, who invaded land and destroyed the lives of rural communities in Bolivia. Gotkowitz (2007) stated that the “rural mobilization for land and justice persisted and helped pave the path for Bolivia’s 1952 Revolution.” (P.3) The effects of rebellion during 1947 created an even larger revolution, that began to emerge only a few years later. Rural political actions began in Bolivia, along side the multiple revolts exploding across the nation. There, rural mobilizations received unusual amounts of political attention, compared to the average peasant revolt in Bolivia. It is possible that the way the rural communities executed their plans, in terms of location and severity, is what drew in the attention of political officials, and government workers.

This attention brought it other social groups to join the revolt against inequality and state violence in Bolivia. It wasn’t long before urban workers, mineworkers, Indians, peasants, and people of the middle class joined this rebellion. Major conflict began to emerge, putting the countryside of Bolivia into a crisis of state authority. The 1952 movement successfully defeated the national army, showing the power behind these rural communities. It was clear that Bolivia would forever be changed from these revolts, proving the power of the peasant community.

Whether peasants of modern day Bolivia still experience the same or similar acts of inequality is unclear. It appears certain that there are still some visible levels of inequality. One can expect that the lower class will continue to fight for in Bolivia, and in similar regions in Latin America, as developing nations often have many battles to fight before they can reach a stage of democracy. Even within a democratic society there are still battles worth fighting and certain situations were equality is ignored. It may be hard to imagine, but the brutal inequalities faced by a developing society, may also be faced by a developed nation.

In chapter 10 Speaking Truth to Power it brings to light the historical weakness of Latin American states, in relation to taxes, laws, territories, violence. Over history people have used these weaknesses to their advantage, by creating revolts, protests, and riots to influence government to make a decision in favor of the rebelling party. The corruption of Latin American nations is often what has lead to the unsettlement of the people residing within specific regions in the past. Document 10.2 Revolutionary Women’s’ Law discusses the struggle and fight that people have faced to only see progress has slowly begun, and that the battle for equality, and rights for woman will be long fought for. It states the various changes that they demand to be made or put into progress. Some of the most important demands were, that woman have the right to work and receive a just salary, women have the right to decided the number of children they will have and care for, women have the right to health care and education, women shall not be beat or physically mistreated. It is shocking to think that women had to fight for the right not rapped or physically mistreated in any way. The right to a life without any physically mistreatment is something people may often take for granted in developed nations such as Canada. Here I have grown up knowing that if I ever was to experience any type of abuse, I could immediately seek help and the guilty would be severely punished. I could not imagine how extremely difficult it would be to grow up in a time or place where I have to protection against such things as physical abuse. Document 10.7 The Diario de Juarez Open Letter to the Drug Cartels talks about the violence and death related to the drug cartels in Latin America, and how the people are pleading for these deaths to stop, they do not want to see anyone else injured or forced to suffer the consequences of the negative relationships between cartels and the government. Journalists covering these conflicts are constantly getting put in undesired and dangerous situations where they often lose their lives. This document states that journalists deserve safety while put in a position to cover the ongoing conflicts. This conflict between cartels and the governments has placed many people in harms way, as the ongoing battle between illegal drugs, and the government is a conflict being fought by extremely violent methods.

Chapter 9 The Terror discusses the horrific events and ideologies that braced Latin America for various years. The corruption that dominated this region ran ramped through the government and political systems for decades. Revolts were often provoked as a definite way to endure a change in society. Major conflicts in Latin America often resolved around the government system, and the peasants or working class. I would assume this is because the people being ignored by corrupt officials, would be the lower classes, as the higher class would mostly likely contain these corrupt government or political officials, and a middle class appeared not to be primarily evident during the times of the major terrors that occurred in Latin America. Document 9.1 The Massacre is an article, which reveals details about the Peruvian Massacre. It stated that the massacre had religious overtones, as well as political and social implication. Latin America, in my opinion has always had a proud and bold sense of culture; therefore it is possible that the religious and cultural beliefs would play into all aspects of life, including violence and tragedy. Religion has been found to play is role in serious violent events across the world, difference in belief, or way of interpreting/practicing a belief has proven to results in many horrific tragedy’s in history.

In relation to the massacre, document 9.2 and interview with Gonzalo, reveals offensive and corrupt ideas the lead to the destruction of countless lives in Latin America. It shows the terms of a revolution involving the peasants, in which the previous article states, they have a misconception and end up killing reports coming into the area. That they wanted and needed to sweep them away as a class that this must be done by genocide, and will continue to be done with such methods. To me this is horrific, how someone can be okay with blatantly stating that, genocide is a necessary action that will continue to be used. Personally it is hard to understand how someone could publicly admitted their intents to use genocide as continues method until then end goal is achieved, the removal a specific group of people. Gonzalo’s interview is harsh, it allows for people to see where the corruption in Latin America is really coming from, and how actually these ideas are being formed and spread throughout the region. These documents show that corruption in government systems has a great deal of influence on the people of a region.

Chapter seven, Power to the People addressed four documents surrounding the topic of presidency, and power in Latin America specifically Argentina. The first document 7.1 “Peronists Will Head Argentine Ticket” discusses speeches made in Buenos Aires, this document had clear relations for the following documents. I found it easier to examine after reading the other three documents. In the second document, The Peronist Version of the Speech it stated that “the people, it is the women, the children, the elderly, and the workers who are here today because they have taken the future into their own hands”. That by standing behind General Peron at the helm of the Nation they will only find that justice and freedom they are looking for. This speech enforces the idea that it was thanks to him the people believed in such opportunities of freedom and moral dignity. It later touches on those who will never forgive General Peron who made the country suffer an endless night for raising three flags that should have been raised centuries ago. This is piece that shows how a great deal of importance is placed on the ideas of freedom, things people in developed nations now a days often take for granted. I believe people often do not realize the opportunities that are given for them, and what was accomplished for such opportunities to be available to the people.

The fourth document, Eva Peron’s Final Response Broadcast over the Airwaves at 8:30 p.m. on August 31, 1951 was an informative announcement were she justified her reasons for resignation. She re states the promises she has made, and how she has done everything in her power to keep those promises. In my opinion rather she completed those promises or not, the effort is what counts, this is notable when she states “I think I did everything in my power to keep my promise and pay my debt”. By publicly announcing her resignation it shows her devotion to the people of Argentina. It appears that she feels a connection to the people, therefore feeling the responsibility to publicly explain her situation, which I find to a reasonable and respectable move. It appears that she implies her support for the future, and her hope for a positive outcome, with the reference to “Evita” a women she states devoted her life to bringing the hopes of the people before the President, and “that is who she wants to be”.

Chapter 6 Commerce, Coercion, and America’s Empire touches on the deep history of the relationship between the United States of America and Latin America, and how colonization has significantly altered both these regions. The views on the American presence in Latin America are rather interesting, as it states they are often viewed as a violent oppressor or a noble savior. The US has participated in many conflicts and battles that have been faced in Latin America, although their position is almost always against to region, in some attempts to acquire territory. Which in fact they do acquire land, Porto Rico. It appears that the Untied States dominance is felt across the Latin America region, whether in fear or spite. Document 6.1 by Augusto Sandino, reveals a sense of nationalism, and pride for how far the nation has come that was once oppressed, but now flourished into a new stage of independence. His sense faith, and belief in his nations, is very evident I find, as he states, “I accept the invitation to the struggle and I myself will provoke it, and to the challenge of the cowardly invader and the traitor to my country I answer with my battle cry.” (199). This clear depiction that he is willing to fight for his independence and the pride of his country not matter the cost or the situation. I find this similar to a lot of the other documents in this textbook; they all seem to identify with similar feelings of pride in being a part of Latin America. I find this inspirational, as no matter the obstacles they face it appears that the people always faithfully stand by their nation, even if it puts them in an insecure place. The next document, 6.3 by Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart shows the relationship between colonization and Disney. It shows the different levels of importance and treatment that are given to the people colonizing, and the people being colonized. It pushes the idea of a defined “lower class” should like to youth. Although, it appears that it shows the tensions that often emerged between the Europeans and the Indigenous place to the region. Although, the relationships that were shown by Disney were often misleading and far reality. Each interaction, between the Europeans and the Indigenous people in Latin America, from the documents that I have read so far have all resulted in some type of conflict, which in the long run lead to the independence of a nation.

Reading chapter five the Signs of Crisis in the Gilded Age was an interesting insight to affiliations that are often made with a crisis. The first connection I noticed was that people were associating growth in industry with conflict. It talks about how in Mexico the railway construction was always accompanied by minor conflict, specifically in rural communities. This rural conflict soon escalated into violence. The violence was intended to stop modernization itself. The document to Roosevelt by Ruben Dario discussion the United States as an ultimate power, a wealthy, fasted paced country that dominates the globe. He makes the United States sound like a cruel and controlling country, with only the aim of conquest. I found it interesting, how at the end of document it stated the United States might have almost everything, but they are lacking one thing and that was god. He indicates that maybe the United States is lacking religious connections and beliefs, and that it focuses too much on control and modernization. The second document the Plane de Ayala by Emiliano Zapata formulated propositions, which would end their oppression. In the twelfth proposition it discussion the idea of an election to organize the federal powers in Mexico. This idea would allow for a change in government, and the people to decide if they want to move towards a democratic society. I a curious if all the proposed steps were to occur, would Mexico truly move towards a democratic society. In my opinion for this to occur they need a leader who is truthfully devoted to creating a democratic society in Mexico. Not one who might lean towards these ideas, but in reality control the country in way similar to that of Diaz. In the next document, Excerpt from La raza cosmica by Jose Vasconcelos examines the human relationships of law. The author stated the relationships took place under three social stages; material or warlike, intellectual or political, and spiritual or aesthetic. I would be interested to hear his justification for choosing these select terms to represent the human relationships under the name of law. As, he states that they are representing a process that is “gradually liberating us from the domination of necessity” (158). Overall, in my opinion modernization is necessary for major change to occur in almost any nation, as ideas of liberation, modernity, and equality often follow when a society makes the attempt to become democratic. Although, there are few places in which this is not the case.

The export boom as modernity discusses Latin America, but specifically Mexico’s journey of independence, in which the new age President Porfirio Diaz ruled for thirty-four years. It shows the connection between independence and modernization, how after become their own nation, they were able to develop and import products. The region of Latin America lacked resources to build infrastructure, and economically develop the area. When railroads, and the steam engine finally reached Latin America, the region fully began to emerge. I believe that modernity was a necessary condition to fuel the desire to create a democratic society in Latin America. These democratic ideas are what sparked the drastic changes. The document, Hero of the Americas about Porfirio Diaz, presents his view on Mexico and its evolvement over time. It states that Mexico was oppressed by the Spanish for years of cruelty and greed, but turned into a strong, peaceful, and progressive nation. I do believe that Mexico is a very progressive nation, and underwent tremendous horrors in past, there are still major problems it faces today. Many people around the world, who haven grown up in developed nations, may argue that Mexico is run by cruelty and greed. Diaz, believes that by staying in office he shows no threat to democracy, no matter how long he rules if he is doing good fro his country, he should continuously be re-elected. It is true, that if the government is improving the overall statute of the country he could benefit by staying in power. Although, I do believe that a change in office can benefit a nation, as new ideas may be formulated and implemented. The document also discusses the idea that a middle class in necessary for a democracy to form. I agree with this, the middle class, most often works the hardest to reach their status. They are often willing to fight for change, and have more of an influence on society, then the lower class. The push for change from the different class systems, leads to the creation of new laws, and the changing of old ones. Diaz, states that even if a cruel regulation is implement there is a legitimist justification behind it, such as the death penalty. In my opinion, laws as strict and cruel as the death penalty can never be justified, but it necessary for a nation to understand these ideas, through experience. Almost every democratic nation once had these cruel regulations, even in Canadian history the death penalty was enforced. I believe, that once the people experience something they dislike or disagree with, it motives them to make a change.

While reading Citizenship and Rights in the New Republic, I found it astonishing the level of determination people had to make their opinions on their rights and freedoms heard. As, the Declaration of Rights of a man and Citizen did not included woman or slaves. I do agree with the statement that “freedom and equality before the law are universal values; ideals that remain valid no matter what the context”(1). People across the world will always fight for freedom and equality, I leveled it is something that many people in developed countries such as Canada may take for granted. We often don’t realize the endless amount of opportunities freedom and equality has allowed us to experience. We may view rights as universal, but the “citizens” they apply to change depending on the type of authority that rule a nation. In the first document limiting citizenship, I found it interesting how it discussed freedom for people of all colors in Latin America, while the change in freedom during those times was usually not included for people who were different then the viewed “superior” ethnicity. I believe that this is an indication of the diversity in Latin America, the combination of culture and customs. Later in the article it discusses the “danger” of Afro-Cuban religion to society, which was viewed as “witchcraft”. For the times, I do find this typical, in history there have been multiple cases for one religion, usually Christianity is favored over all others. The next document, The Fetishist Animism of Bahian Negroes, discussed the observations of people who were referred to as the “inferior race”. I find it interesting that such a great deal of effort was put in to saving the slavery regime, but eventually it was still overpowered. It is possible that because the Bahian Negroes were forced their whole lives to hide their true selves, disguises their lives. This unsettlement could of possible lead them to revolt. One of the last documents We Are Religious People, Not Atheists, was purely about the true form of Christianity; I found this view very interesting. It states, how we are all equals, in life and death. This comparison, is fascinating, it shows that no matter our “status” on earth, rich or poor, we all end up in the same place at the end of the day. Therefore, we might as well be equals in life. During colonialism, the Spaniards strictly viewed Christianity as superior to all other forms of religious practice or beliefs. The struggles faced during these times, may have been what sparked the idea of equality, thoughts of what makes Spaniards more superior then the Indigenous.

While, reading chapter two Caudillos versus the National State, and the document The Slaughter House, I found it interesting how they discussed power, how it was given to the elites in various regions, and how they implemented their authority drastically altered the societies being controlled. The views on control for a region differ depending on the location of a person. For example, when Santa Anna’s leg was stolen by the United States, Americans viewed it as “a prize to symbolize a region that lacks the capacity to control itself ”. While, it stated that Mexicans viewed the leg display as “national tragedy and reminder of how cruel their northern neighbors are”. This shows how the region in which they grew up often influences a person’s opinion on various types of power and control. In the Americas ethnic and cultural divides were vast, as the emperor and Catholic Church were the social glue of colonial rule. The church ministered the poor and shaped ceremonial life across colonies, it appears that this lead to various uprisings and rebellions. This became visible in the document the Slaughter House by Esteban Echeverria. Composed in the 1830’s during the Christian era, it is evident that Church has great influence over the people. The document describes Argentina as a slaughterhouse, killing cattle, a representation of the people; this was preciously the fault of the church. As, people begin to rebel it appears that the power of the church is becoming weak. In my opinion it is possible that the people controlled by the state, are fed up with the harsh control implemented upon them. The statement, “ A time may come when it is forbidden to breathe fresh air, take a walk or have a conversation with a friend” is an indication of the frustration of the people. As, regulations were constructed not out of legitimacy but for the purpose of pure authority. This is apparent when the church banned the consumption of meat, under the “assumption” the devil can enter the body through it. In my opinion if the church believed their assumption was legitimate, they would not have exempted specific people from this order. In this document I found the usage of symbolism and imagery to be profound, in relation to the idea of the “bull”. The connection between power and the church was highly detectable during these times.