The Perils of Progress

Study guide #1 ​

Chap. 3 "The Perils of Progress"

9/24/12

1. In his introduction to chapter 3, Winn discusses social and economic changes, which transformed Argentina after 1870. What were some of the features of this "new Argentina"? Were these changes "typical" of Latin America at this time? Explain why or why not.

Some of the features of this "new Argentina" include freeing of the gaucho. The open range, wild cattle, and the Indian frontier were fast disappearing, replaced by fenced-in ranches, crossbred livestock, and destroyed Indian communities. Another feature of this "new Argentina" include Italian immigrant. They made possible the "revolution on the pampas". Which would later transform Argentina from a primitive ranching economy into a land of modern mixed farming, whose exports of grains and meats, oils, and wool would make it one of the world's wealthiest countries by the 1920s. The beginning of the liberal era started the embrace of European ideas and fashions, including the ideal of progress and the lifestyle of Paris. In economics, they adopted liberal capitalism as their model and free trade as their gospel. These changes were "typical" of Latin America at this time. Many Latin American countries focused their efforts on exporting a narrow range of commodities in demand abroad. The products that they specialized in varied with their resources. Their economy oriented toward exports, a dependence on imported manufactures, and an era of economic growth and material "progress". However, Argentina was the great success story of the liberal Era (Winn 91-113).

2. In "The Age of Rosas," Winn introduces the concept of the caudillo. Relying on this discussion, can you define the caudillo (i.e., make a list of characteristics which caudillos always have)?

Caudillo translates into the English language as leader or chief. The term Caudillo refers to the proverbial Latin American strongman. Caudillos are often landowner. They shared a belief of disregard for institutions and due process, a personalist view of politics, and an impatience with opposition. The caudillos treated the resources of the state as their own. They believed in a spoils system that provided the cement for a political stability otherwise conspicuous by its absence (Winn 91-113).

3. Winn presents Rosas' career as typical of caudillos. What are some of the aspects of Rosas' political career which make him a typical caudillo of this time?

Some of the aspects of Rosas' political career which make him a typical caudillo of this time include the fact that he was a military commander, head of the provincial militia of Buenos Aires, the country's largest province, and a federalist civil war hero. Rosas was also a leading landowner, who represented the province's ranching elite. Rosas was a caudillo with a common touch, who could "outride, outfight, and outcourse" his gaucho followers (Winn 91-113).

4. In this section, Winn describes how Rosas cultivated the support of the lower classes, including the gauchos. Did Rosas do this because he was committed to "social change" (i.e., a fairer distribution of wealth and income)? Why or why not?

Rosas cultivated the support of the lower classes, including the gauchos not because he was committed to "social change" but the result of a populist style that as in reality a calculated strategy of "social control". " You well know the attitude of the have-nots against the wealthy and the powerful," he told the Uruguayan