Uruguay and Brazil: Contribution to the end of
Caudillo Era
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Uruguay and Brazil: Contribution to the end
of Caudillo Era
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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