Our presenter John Chasteen has pointed me toward an excellent article on the history of Latin America. It provides a lot of background information that will prove useful for Saturday's workshop. I recommend that you read the article by visiting it online or by downloading it here. What we learn on Saturday will be the richer for doing so.
Dr. Chasteen has also given PHE brief descriptions of the morning and afternoon workshops. The morning session will be divided into two, as will the afternoon one. Below is his organization and conceptualization of the sessions:
MORNING SESSION - How and why did América move toward independence in 1808-1812?
While not without its tensions, colonial society in América was notably stable and hierarchical (even structured by a caste system), with no large scale movements for political transformation around 1800. The European presence was tiny, ruling through “hegemony” rather than force. The 1807-08 Napoleonic Invasion of Spain and Portugal suddenly and thoroughly destabilized the colonial system, however. Spain’s throne was usurped by Napoleon; Portugal’s was transported to Rio de Janeiro. Americano subjects rallied to the support of their monarchs in 1808-10, while, at the same time, affirming their autonomy from Spain and Portugal. They spoke of crowns “with two pillars,” equal and parallel, one in Europe and one in América.
AFTERNOON SESSION - What were the consequences?
Initial defeat of independence movements, 1811-1815. True revolutionaries took control of these movements, but most people, even their followers, did not share their republicanism. After recovering from the Napoleonic invasion, Spanish forces reconquered almost all of América. Eventual triumph of movements without strong social or ideological basis, 1816-1824. Spain’s military solution proved counter-productive, strengthening a sense of Americano distinctness. Fernando VII discredited himself. Independence comes as a consensus, with little reformist content, except for a firm commitment to popular sovereignty. Troublesome unfinished business, 1825-1875: There were large obstacles to making popular sovereignty a reality. This became an important cause of ensuing conflict throughout the region.
Thanks to all of you who have registered for our first workshop "Race and Revolution in Latin America: Independence and Its Consequences, 1808-1824." Remember that it is this Saturday September 29th from 10am to 3pm in Room C105-106 at the Carolina Center for Educational Excellence. Registration begins at 9:30am. For directions, please click here. Please contact phe@unc.edu if your plans change.