Explain the historical circumstances that led to the revolutions in Latin America. [1]

In Latin America there were two major revolutionary waves. The first in takes place in context of Napoleonian wars. In fact fact it is French revolution and its Napoleonian aftermath that triggers revolutionary wave in Latin America and the result of this wave is 1) political independence on European metropolis, 2) Latinamerican constitutionalism, 3) definition of mutual frontiers. The second wave takes place in the first half of the 20th century in the context of A) questioning of liberalism and increasing popularity of authoritarian state and B) modernization. This wave is connected with authoritarian populism.

Explanation: First wave takes place in the spirit of Enlightenment and its ideas. The second wave is completely different. Mexican liberalism associated with Benito Juarez (1860s) was finally eliminated by the dictatorship of Porfyrio Diaz (turn of the 19th and 20th century), in Brazil republic is proclaimed in 1889 but its beginning is very authoritarian (president Fonseca and Peixoto are soldiers), and in 1930 anti-constitutional coup takes place to introduce populist, authoritarian and modernist era represented by Getulio Vargas. However, much modernization took place at that time.

b. andrew

since most of current immigration into the u.s., both legal and illegal, is coming from latin america. it would be very difficult to imagine or rationalize a country my fellow citizens are trying desperately to flee into, would pose a threat to my prosperity or freedom. since the u.s. has a long history of intervention, but no record of permanent occupation, i would not feel oppression is the main objective.  

the largest free trade nation, along with the largest gdp in the world wanting to expand it's economic policy on us, and including us, could only be positive. the u.s. government has no interest in, or way of simply forcing american culture on us. and has no track record of it. other nations that adopted american social culture, or "americanization" did so voluntarily, mainly through the choice of allowing american businesses and u.s. citizens to come into their nations, as free operatives.