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Uruguay and Brazil:Contribution to the end of
Caudillo Era
(APA Format)
Running Head: URUGUAY AND BRAZIL:
CONTRIBUTION TO THE END OF CAUDILLO ERA
Uruguay and Brazil: Contribution
to the end of Caudillo Era
[Name of the Author]
[Name of the Instructor]
Introduction
Brazil and Uruguay are one of the most famous
and well-known countries of Latin America. Brazil
is the largest country in South America, while
Uruguay is the second smallest country of the
continent. Both the regions were indigenously
populated in the ancient times until in the 15th
century European explorers introduced the region
to the modern world. They, after discovering the
vast resources of the continent decided to occupy
the area and as a result Brazil became a Portuguese
colony while Uruguay was disputed between Argentina
and Brazil.
Independence of Brazil and
Uruguay
On 7th September 1822 Brazil prince son of John
VI who represented the Portuguese Emperor announced
independence, while Uruguay gained independence
in 1823. In Brazil the prince became the emperor
as Pedro I, while Uruguay became a republic one
of the oldest republics in South America.
Dominion of War lords (Caudillo)
The term caudillo meaning military strong men
is referred to South American Political leaders
aroused in the 19th century war of independence
in Uruguay and Brazil. Initially caudillos were
generals possessing private armies and they often
used their military power in order to gain domination
and command in the newly born nations. Many of
them were large landowners (hacendados) who always
wanted to promote their own interest regardless
of the interest of the common people and country.
All these caudillos have some qualities in common
that they had remarkable military skills, and
possess charismatic personalities, which made
it very easy for the common people to admire and
respect them. In this manner they gain such allegiance,
which is not common in the history of followers.
These leaders were not associated to any specific
political or social ideologies or philosophies
except that they all began their political career
by opposing the oligarchy, but after some time
they also became oligarchs and thus no change
occured in the socio-economical scene of the region.
In reality they were all dictators and their authority
was completely unchecked. They left their marks
on the histories of nearly all South American
nations. Some of them are Garcia Moreno in Ecuador,
Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana and Porfirio Díaz
in Mexico, and Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina
in the Dominican Republic.
Causes of the end of the caudillos
In the early 19th century many South American
nations achieved independence and in these early
days the law and order situation was not good
enough and the newly born governments were not
entirely in control of all parts and provinces
of the country. In these circumstances those military
leaders who fought in the struggle of independence
got chance to found their own states within the
state. As they had control over a large number
of masses in the form of their soldiers and their
workers who were only loyal to them, they were
able to maintain their influence on the federal
government.
In Uruguay in the beginning the idea of unity
prevailed. In the political society this idea
inspired the administrations of Juan Francisco
Giró (1852-53), Gabriel Pereira (1856-60),
and Bernardo Berro (1860-64). But very soon the
caudillos started interfering and the conflict
started and hatred and rivalry flared up, and
the last Blanco president until 1958 Berro was
over thrown by Colorado Venancio Flores who with
the help of Brazil and Buenos Aires took power
in the country (Fitzgibbon, 1966). Because of
this revolution the country was now completely
under the mercy of caudillos. They simultaneously
formed and broke governments just for their own
personal benefits resulting in the instability
of the country. In 1870 National Party again led
a revolt against General Lorenzo Batlley Grau's
(1868-72) government; these violating acts not
only weakened the state but were also the main
cause of anarchy and poverty in the region. Common
people were the most suppressed in the country
and political instability also resulted in the
absence of law and order situation in the country
thus resulted in a declining economy. A permanent
break in the cycle of near anarchy and repression
was anticipated when José Ellauri (1872-75)
was elected president. His administration was
characterized by the predominance of university
men over caudillos. A number of them, known as
the "Girondists of 73" were sent to
the General Assembly. Unfortunately, however,
the ensuing economic crisis and the weakness of
civil power paved the way for a period of militarism
(Weinstein, 1975).
Modernization was also a main factor due to
which dependency on agriculture decreased. Industrialization
completely changed the socio-economical trend
of the people and great urbanization made the
industrial and commercial capital thus these hacendados
were then unable to keep their domination and
importance in the political and economical scenario
of the region. When modern tools entered in the
agricultural world then there was no need for
large number of farmers on the ranches and farms
since relatively small number of people were enough
for this purpose as a result most of the population
fleed from the rural areas in search of new opportunities
and living, majority of them were soldiers and
workers of these caudillos and thus they were
no more powerful enough to interfere in the state
affairs and they contented to concentrate on their
farms only.
Works cited
" Fitzgibbon, Russell H. Uruguay: Portrait
of a Democracy.
New York: Russell and Russell, 1966.
" Weinstein, Martin Uruguay: The Politics
of Failure. Westport,
Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1975.
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