Reading for Monday, January 26

On Monday, we are going to finish talking about Independence, so look over the Kinsbruner chapters from last week. As a guide, look at the posting below that accompanied that assignment, and be aware of the questions I posted there. This well give you a good idea of how our discussion will go in class. 

We'll likely spend the first half of class going through that, and then will finish by discussing the reading from Chasteen, pages 119-143, that is assigned for tomorrow. Pay attention to the following as you read:

What was liberalism? Who embraced it and why? Was the postcolonial sociopolitical environment actually "liberal?"

What problems did the new governments face? Be able to provide examples.

What two political parties formed and what were their political ideas?

Who were caudillos and why were they so important? How were they able to wield such influence?

Why was Brazil relatively more successful and stable than Spanish America?

How was life different for slaves and indigenous people in the immediate postcolonial era?

*Finally, don't forget that your map quiz is Wednesday, and that your first response paper is due Friday. The chapter by Ariel de la Fuente that you'll be reading for Wednesday will likely provide a lot of talking points for you to consider.