Chapter 4 of Dawson’s Latin America Since the Independence focuses on the modernization of Latin America, in some ways, it can be perceived that Latin America is more concentrated in transforming itself to be European. Modernization in some of Latin America’s nations focused on innovation in the expansion of new technologies. The export boom in Latin America saw the emergence of new technologies in new road development, the expansion of trains, trolleys, and sewage systems. The export boom in Latin America, of course, created wealth for many nations, which inevitably made the rich richer.

Exportation called for a new found dependence on other nations. Latin America’s dependence on others was a huge problem. If the other nations decided that they would no longer do business with Latin America, then it would create serious problems for Latin America. Being reliant on others is never a good option, although there weren’t many other choices presented in Latin America. Exportation was the way to modernity, but it was also it’s downfall.

The road to modernity was documented in Latin America, by photographs in the 19th century. Cameras documented construction projects, new buildings, national festivals, electrical lights, and paved roads all created physical copies of the export boom. Although all these new things were a sign of Latin America adopting new European ideas, it became more than that. Latin America was showing itself capable of modernizing, both in its artistic mediums but also in its scientific innovations.

Photographs were also a great way of documenting “Latin America for outsiders” (123). These new photographs presented a way to introduce the peasant and the laborers in a realistic light. By the way they dressed, the background of the photograph, and the accessories they chose to wear, all worked together to present a racial identity. The way one dressed could say a lot about where they came from and where their social standing was. They could reinvent themselves if they chose to, by simply wearing different clothes, they could eliminate some of their pasts. This was a clear sign of modernity, to illustrate a different image of the peasants, and the laborers through the photographic medium was a clear sign that things were beginning to change in Latin America.