Latin America in the Nineteenth Century
A series of wars that took place between 1808 and 1826 brought independence to most former colonies of Spain and Portugal in Latin America. After winning their independence, the new Latin American states began a long, uphill struggle to achieve economic and political stability. There faced immense obstacles, for independence was not accompanied by economic and social changes that could spur rapid Progress. Large estates, generally operated using primitive methods and highly exploited labor, continued to dominate economic life. Far from diminishing, the influence of the landed aristocracy (established upper social class) actually increased. This was the result of the leading military role it had played in the wars of independence and the passing of Spanish authority.
