This chapter was about the modernization of Latin America. Many countries in Latin America looked to Europe as an example of what a modern country should be. They wanted their countries to not only have more of modern values of Europe, but to also have a “feeling” of modernity. This can be seen even today in the styles of architecture from this time, which are similar to those of Europe. Many advances in transportation were also made, such as new railroads and wider roads. The chapter also talks about how many countries in Latin America began to rely on exports as a major source of their economy and how this could create problems.

Creelman’s interview with Porfirio Diaz was interesting. The way that Creelman describes Diaz shows the way he was idolized by so many people. Creelman put a lot of emphasis on even Diaz’s physical characteristics and described him as a hero to Mexico.

Until this reading, I was unware that Latin America had such a large population of slaves. In school in the United States, and probably Canada as well, we were never taught much about the history of other places and our classes made it sound as if the United States was the main cause of the slave trade in the Americas. We were barely told anything about slavery in Latin America and it was made to sound like a minor issue. From this class, however, it appears very possible that it was an even bigger issue in much of Latin America than it was in the United States. It seems that there was a larger population of slaves in much of Latin America, especially Brazil, than there was in the United States. It is interesting to me that we were never told anything about this and how one’s perception of history can be so different based on the details they are taught.

It was also interesting to read both of the feminist letters and compare them. Maria Eugenia Echnique and Josefina Peliza were from the same period in history and they both discussed feminist ideas. However, their ideas of what feminism should be are completely different and contradictory. Echnique believed that women were equal to men and should have the same rights. She thought they should be able to choose the kind of life they wish to live. Peliza believed that women were different from men and should not have the same rights. She believed that they are better suited to being caretakers for their husbands and children and that this is the life every woman should lead. The two women express entirely different ideas and yet both ideas are considered feminism.

It is interesting to look at the writings of Bolivar and Chavez. Even though they were written during different periods in history, they both express similar ideas. Bolivar’s Letter to Jamaica describes different solutions to gaining independence from Spain in Latin America and creating a government more suited to the area. During this time, many people in Latin America had begun to identify less with Spain and felt that Latin America should have a better system of government. However, there were some people, such as many criollos, who did not want to separate from Spain do to the fear of losing certain rights if a new system was created.

Decades later, Chavez’s speech references ideas similar to those of Bolivar. When Chavez gained power in Venezuela, the country was even renamed the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Both writings talk about how much of Latin America is governed by people who do not understand the needs of its citizens and how a new system of government that fits them is needed. Since Chavez’s speech is relatively resent, it gives the impression that some countries in Latin America, such as Venezuela, may still not have managed to create such a system. When I was in Spain, I met many immigrants from Venezuela who came to Spain to work because they could not provide for their families and continue to live in their own country. Throughout history, Venezuela (as well as some other Latin American countries) has gone through many different political systems and leaders. Chavez’s attempts to reform the government were successful at first, but later lead to increased poverty and violence in the country. Even through Chavez’s interpretation and manifestation of some of Bolivar’s ideas was not successful in creating a better government for Venezuela, Bolivar’s main idea (the need for a government that is suited for its country and citizens) in Letter to Jamaica could still be very relevant to the problems that face Latin America today.