After independence from Spain, Latin American countries generally remained the same, in terms of the hierarchical structure; Spanish blooded people were at the top, and slaves at the bottom. Most countries had a caudillo; a man who was the leader of the country, and could assume total control of the country. Many people fought to become the caudillo. The most popular caudillo was Porfirio Díaz, the caudillo who ruled Mexico from 1876-1911. He built Mexico’s economy, and encouraged foreign trade.
Countries freed from Spain followed a general cycle called “The Boom-and-Bust Cycle.”In general, a country found something they could make a huge profit off, and that was the boom. Soon, however, another country could take over the production of the product, the product could run out, or something else having the capabilities of the product could be found. That was the bust. Then, the country would have to find a new product, and begin the cycle again.
Brazil was owned by a Portuguese monarch, and so it didn’t go through the same troubles as the former Spanish colonies. Brazil had multiple products including sugar, coffee, and cotton. Its government was originally a monarchy, but then transformed to a military rule, and then it finally became a republic. Brazil went through the boom and bust cycle, but not as severly as the other nations. The main occurance was when Brazil found rubber trees in their forests and were able to make products such as tires. However, a British man stole a tree, and then the British began their own production on the island of Manaus.
Countries freed from Spain followed a general cycle called “The Boom-and-Bust Cycle.”In general, a country found something they could make a huge profit off, and that was the boom. Soon, however, another country could take over the production of the product, the product could run out, or something else having the capabilities of the product could be found. That was the bust. Then, the country would have to find a new product, and begin the cycle again.
Brazil was owned by a Portuguese monarch, and so it didn’t go through the same troubles as the former Spanish colonies. Brazil had multiple products including sugar, coffee, and cotton. Its government was originally a monarchy, but then transformed to a military rule, and then it finally became a republic. Brazil went through the boom and bust cycle, but not as severly as the other nations. The main occurance was when Brazil found rubber trees in their forests and were able to make products such as tires. However, a British man stole a tree, and then the British began their own production on the island of Manaus.
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| Porfirio Díaz, a powerful caudillo in Mexico |
