Title: What were the long term effects of the Latin American revolutions? - eNotes.com
Headings: What were the long term effects of the Latin American revolutions?
Latin American History
What were the long term effects of the Latin American revolutions?
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Content: Once the Spaniards had been deprived of their colonies, the various armies that had driven them from the continent stepped into the ensuing political vacuum, establishing authoritarian regimes that systemically deprived the new nations' citizens of basic rights and liberties. The militarization of political power also universalized the rigidly hierarchical social system of the countryside, in which the poorest members of society were kept in a permanent state of economic subordination. Last Updated by eNotes Editorial on February 26, 2021
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Revolutions in Latin America were a result of ripple effects from the successful revolutions that occurred in France and the United States of America. Revolutionaries emerged to oppose Spanish rule in South America, which was skewed to only favor the colonialists by exploiting the natives. Initial attempts at overthrowing Spanish rule failed, but early success was achieved in Haiti, Paraguay, and Argentina. Immediate effects of the revolutions included freedom and independence for the people of the liberated countries. However, in the long term, poor governance of the liberated countries led to instability and increasing poverty in those areas. Strong leaders fought against each other to assert their dominance and authority over the different territories. The situation paved the way for human rights abuses that continue until today in some of these countries. Prevailing high levels of instability can also be traced back to poor leadership after the different countries attained independence.