Latin American Independence & Industrial Revolution: Social and Economic Impacts

1. Consequences of Independence in Latin America

Eight countries emerged and became independent around 1816. Independence had several significant effects.

Social Consequences

The social consequences were mixed. The big winners were the Creoles, who gained political power. Black slaves also benefited, as slavery was largely abolished.

Political Consequences

The new countries adopted the republic as their form of government, but then turned against each other. Military commanders were imposed on civilians, which led to frequent coups.

Economic Consequences

Economic dependence on Spain was replaced by dependence on England and the U.S.

2. Demographic Revolution and its Impacts

The demographic revolution had consequences in two main areas:

Industrial Development

It favored industrial development by increasing the number of producers who provided labor to industries and consumers who created demand for industrial products.

Population Redistribution

It redistributed the European population: surplus agricultural populations migrated to industrial cities and regions. Millions of Europeans emigrated to countries in America and Oceania.

3. The Industrial Revolution: Causes and Core Changes

The Industrial Revolution was a gradual societal shift from an agriculture-dominated society to one where industry prevailed. Its core was the control and use of coal and the replacement of artisans by machines.

Its root causes were the new economic needs created by agrarian changes, the role of the bourgeois class, the maturation of capitalism, and technological progress. Industrialization did not occur simultaneously in all countries, dividing the world into two groups: developed and underdeveloped.

4. Transportation Advancements

The first railway began operating in 1830, fueled by charcoal.

Textile Industry

Textile machines driven by steam were developed for each stage of production.

Agricultural Machinery

Machinery increased agricultural productivity. For example, an Arabian could plow 5 hectares in 1 day compared to 0.4 or 0.8 hectares plowed by oxen and horses.

Railway Expansion

Between 1850 and 1914, over 400,000 km of railways were built across Europe. Maritime navigation also advanced. In 1886, the first car using gasoline was invented.

5. Land Expropriation and Political Systems

The Sale of Church and Municipal Lands

The sale (expropriation) of church and municipal lands served to limit the power of the church.

Restoration Political System

The Restoration political system, introduced by Cánovas, created two main political groups: the Conservatives, founded by Cánovas and tied to the aristocracy, and the Liberals, founded by Sagasta and representing the middle bourgeois class. Sagasta was heir to the progressive middle class.