Answer to Question #319377 in History for Shun

Question

What major political challenges faced the new nations of the Western Hemisphere in the nineteenth century, and how well did they deal with those problems?

Answer 1

The 19th century was a revolutionary period for the western hemisphere new nations in terms of social, political and technological progress and economic expansion. With this came major political challenges. There was a rising nationalism and a perceived ideal of political freedom in the west that had been seen in American and French revolutions earlier. Brazil and other Spain colonies had achieved independence by 1825 because of this nationalism and thirst for independence. New nations such as Mexico were faced with foreign interventions and other threats to sovereignty, including civil war and regionalism. How could nations born through revolution submit to political structures defined by a constitution? If colonies could reject submission to imperial powers, couldn't they also reject authority of the newly formed government? New nations dealt with these political challenges by promoting economic growth, importing new technologies and promoting immigration. It was a poor strategy, as colonial economic development inhibited efforts towards industrialization, and a history of classism and racism hindered realization of political ideals.