HUMAN TRADITION IN

MODERN LATIN AMERICA

SUMMARIES

By Crystal Hernandez

His 151

Spring 2012

SECTION 1 THE INDEPENDENCE

GENERATIONS: BETWEEN COLONY AND REPUBLIC, 1780-1830

MARIA ANTONIA MUNIZ: FRONTIER MATRIARCH

Lived in Uruguay from 1762 to 1870 She lived in “no man’s land”, which was

constantly being fought for between Brazil and Argentina

This aristocratic Female was responsible for raising 13 children and managed family estate.

She was a frontier civilian and widowed matriarch.

MARIA ANTONIA MUNIZ CONTINUATION…

Uruguay was plagued with “issues of royalism or patriotism, of empire or independence” which was overshadowed by “competition between Brazil and Argentina and by the harshness of day to day life” (p. 27).

Uruguay, specifically frontier, was the land of opportunity, but also the land of danger

Muniz’ experience suggests that competition was just as common as cooperation.

She lived during wars , such as in 1801, which brought profit for her family through land grants and ability to claim land.

Cattle and land were their livelihood Maria suffered watching murders among children (her own

and grandchildren) due to political and economic unrest She left a legacy of frontier life which was a hard and

intense. She was also able to maintain culture and family traditions despite hardships.

SECTION 2THE FIRST REPUBLICAN

GENERATIONS: BETWEEN AMERICAN BARBARISM

AND EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION, 1825-1875

CARLOTA LUCIA DE BRITO: WOMEN, POWER AND POLITICS IN NORTHEAST

BRAZIL Lived during mid-nineteenth century in Brazil In 1845, moved from the backlands province of

Pernambuco and settled in Areia (Carlota was a survivor and refugee from drought in small town, which affected families, economics, and fueled migration to better land).

Mistress of powerful liberal Paraiban politician, named Joaquim José dos Santos Leal.

Survived death sentence by leaving her politician lover and dated the director of the penal colony, released from prison in 1890, and died a free women

Land owning but of no social standing her impact of the mid-nineteenth century politics of

Brazilian province are historical significant because she was an independent minded female.

CARLOTA LUCIA DE BRITO CONTINUATION.

General history: Gained political power through politician boyfriend after he left

Areia, took charge of his business, served as liaison between humble clients and church

1848, liberal party fell and conservatives occupied chief imperial ministries with political upheaval

Ordered the murder of a politician named Trajano Chacon, who was a part of the conservative party (fighting for honor and vengeance)

Relevant to historical context due to the issues of: Women’s rights, image and expectations Reveals issues of class, gender, politics and justice Family-based politics of Brazil at the time (fathers and husbands were

to control and protect women and children and males were to safeguarding family honor.

Mirrors impact of liberal vs. conservative Her “story demonstrates not only that patron-client networks

protect women, but also that they sometimes allowed women, at least in backwoods areas, to act independently” (p. 41).

SECTION 3THE FIN DE SIECLE

GENERATIONS: THE TENSION

BETWEEN DECADENCE AND PROGRESS,

1870-1900

MEXICAN SARTRE ON THE ZÓCALO: NICOLÁS ZÚÑIGA Y MIRANDA

He was born in Zacatecas in 1856 to an elite family and died in 1927. Lived during the rule of Porfirio Diaz in Mexico.

His occupation was a student of law, math and geology as well as class jester. Represented traditional Mexican at the moment of change.

Earned the title “wise fool” in Mexico City based on scientific inventions and earthquake prediction

Expressed social apprehensions and represented popular humor

Ran for office against President Diaz in 1896 and 1900 (“drew attention to the farcical elections”(p. 65))

“poking fun at government values, even indirectly, both can provide a release for frustration and begin to undercut the solid front of the regime” (p. 65-66).

Explanation of “bad faith” in the midst of political growth ( p. 66).(town drunks, negative impacts, etc.)

NICOLÁS ZÚÑIGA Y MIRANDA CONTINUATION… His mission was to confront the Profirians with display of

“bad faith” with pretense that something necessary is voluntary. Reminds people that elections don’t have to be uncontested, Diaz didn’t have to be unchallenged, technology didn’t have to come from abroad and inventions didn’t always do what they were suppose to.

General History: Represents one facet of political inconsistency and satire

(standing against mainstream values) Uses his comical characteristics to deflect criticism of

colleagues and political opponents Utilized street corners to preach and melodrama as

tactics to deliver his message Represents an important stand against serious political

actor, such as Diaz.

EMILIO AND GABRIELA CONI: REFORMERS, PUBLIC HEALTH AND

WORKING WOMEN Set the course for future public health

programs and strategies to help mothers and children.

Goals (based on commitment of personnel and funding by private or public means): Plans to keep women and children by regulating

behavior and health Programs to give women more control over jobs

through education and improving work and home conditions.

Both worked for implementation of measures that would improve the lot of the working class in the capital city. Wanted a more activist government.

EMILIO AND GABRIELA CONI CONTINUATION…

General History:They exemplified the commitment and

dedication of health workers and social reformers

Helped shape public policy and private efforts aimed at reducing infant mortality rates and communicable diseases(looked at women who worked at home, factories and at the bordellos).

Left legacy of concern for public health, child care, working conditions that will continue to gain private and public interest to fight effects of modernization.

EMILIO R. CONI 1854-1928 Emilio was a Buenos Aires doctor and city council member Among 1st class doctors at the University of Buenos Aires

graduated with a specialization in Public Health. Main goal: formation of public assistance Started career fighting epidemics, favored mandatory smallpox

vaccinations Accomplishments:

Willing to advocated for unpopular policies established 1st comprehensive services to register and monitor wet

nurses 1880 become member of Public Health Board (resigned 1881) First defender of vagrants and successfully launched sponsored

program for transient men with food and lodging. Began campaign against tuberculosis Started hygiene program and milk distribution in schools Established Children’s Welfare Board

Divided public health into two categories: public assistance and sanitary services

Assumed women should learn how to care for their children and keep home hygienic.

GABRELIA L. DE CONI 1866- Jan 7, 1907 Born in France French school teacher, factory inspector, journalist, and

member of socialist party, and was an immigrant to Argentina.

Targeted unhealthy factory and the working-class homes Championed the political, economic and hygienic rights of

women and children who worked and lived in unacceptable conditions.

Accomplishments: Press secretary for the Argentine National Council of women Became 1st factory inspector Gave conferences to working women 1st to support Socialist politicians Only female member of the party’s Executive Council One of the founders of Socialist Women Center

SECTION 4NEW CENTURY GENERATIONS:

REVOLUTION AND CHANGE IN THE CITIES

AND COUNTRYSIDE,1900-1920

JUAN ESQUIVEL: COTTON PLANTATION TENANT

Lived in the later years of 19th –early 20th century He was a son of a former slave with little formal

education, but knew about farming and harvests. In 1898, Juan was offered a contract at Pisco valley on

a cotton plantation of the Aspillaga family. (decided on compañero agreement then moved up to tenant).

Also, worked as mule skinner. One of the most profitable cotton producers at

hacienda He was a resourceful Peruvian campesino, encouraged

by the opportunities represented by the enlarged market agreed to become a tenant farmer. For years he was successful until he succumbed to the expanding haciendas that created factories in the fields.

JUAN ESQUIVEL CONTINUATION…

Wrote letter to owners in 1918 when disagreement arose. Lose rental contract in 1920 as result of letter

Loss everything (tools, money and animals) but clothes on back

General History: Explains the hopes of those who left their homes for the

factories or fields of lowlands Peru. Illustrates salient issues of race and class Rental contracts between tenants and hacienda owners

are vague written agreements, but were instruments that explain how plantation society functioned (often involved working closely with plantation’s manager)

Depicts loan-debt cycle that was difficult to pay off “silent” hard work was viewed as constructive while

personal challenges, such as letters, was seen as a threat to the plantation system (p. 127).

THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE CAREER OF PEDRO CRESPO Political culture dominated by patron client relationship

that relay on power brokers, one was Pedro Crespo. Grew up in Temax, Mexico near the Gulf of Mexico and

lived from 1870 to Nov 1944 Humble village origins became revolutionary prominent

military player Demonstrated prowess as soldier and made officer in local

guard, but became vengeful revolutionary “remembered as a man with a foot in both worlds” (p.

133). Stood with the establishment and interested in political

power Used hit and run tactics based on knowledge of terrain His story is an example of the struggle of what revolution

should represent, what kind of nation Mexico should be and who should be considered Mexican.

PEDRO CRESPO CONTINUATION… General History:

Example of the conflict regarding what type of people should be considered Mexican and the seriousness of the conflict of the Mexican Revolution

He arbitrated the political fortunes of Temax, brokering power between elites, villagers, and peons during the most volatile juncture of revolutionary period.

Became the Yucatan’s most successful insurgent at a time when it was a political vacuum at the fall of Diaz

Represents a regional revolutionary hero who left a legacy that remains critical to politics in Mexico

SECTION 5MIDCENTURY

GENERATIONS, 1920-1959

PAGU: PATRICIA GALVAO- REBEL

Lived 1910-1962 in Sao Paulo, Brazil A rebel who broke all rules and declared war against the

status quo Symbol of what was new, revolutionary and dangerous was an artist, writer, critic, and member of middle class

society Public Figure status – gained through her published

writings and politically agitating public displays Occupied her life with absorbing political taboos and

turning contemporary ideologies of Sao Paulo around Jailed for 4 ½ years by Brazilian government in 1931

(the first women political prisoner), she grew disillusioned and frustrated

“Pagu’s vision, women could only achieve equality and sexual liberation after poverty and class exploitation had been eliminated” (p. 173).

PATRICIA GALVAO CONTINUATION…

Monumental figure for: Women’s rights Worker’s causesLibertine cultureElimination of poverty and class exploitation Liberation from social norms View of bourgeoisie politicians as

“parasites” Independence from “rich” aristocraciesNever shrank from consequences of

idealism Galvao lost friends, but impacted the

“mental horizons” of hundreds of thousands of people

OFELIA DOMINGUEZ NAVARRO: THE MAKING OF CUBAN SOCIALIST

FEMINIST Born Dec 9, 1894 in Mataguά during Cuban

War of Independence (Parents were active members of the war and revolutionaries in their own right.)

Teacher, Lawyer, revolutionary, reporter, advocate and secretary general of the Cuban delegation

Lived in Cuba during 1930’s Politically active Cuban Woman, an example

of political voice whose prime was between 1923-1946 (arrested and jailed various times)

Founder of various feminist organizations

OFELIA DOMINGUEZ NAVARRO CONTINUATION… Known for her political attitudes on

Significant for raising the question of women’s rights in newly independent Cuba

Spoke before political assemblies about women’s rights

Helped form Union Laborista de Mujeres Noted for understanding the psychology of

her jailers while imprisoned for political activism

Ofelia’s personal honesty and passion is an example of political terror and opportunity. Dedication to a cause means revolution regardless of the circumstances

SECTION 6CONTEMPORARY

GENERATIONS1059-PRESENT

IRMA MULLER Lived through the 1980’s in Chile during

the “Dirty War” (p. 223). Middle aged, middle class house maker “only son and his fiancé disappeared”

(p. 227). Involved with the Association of

Relatives of Detained –missing Persons ( principle founder and leader)

makes arpilleras, teaches Chilean folk music and advocates for those missing.

IRMA MULLER CONTINUATION…

Her story helped me to see that “what is political is also personal and how a country’s politics affect the lives of all” (p. 237).

Example of the intense sociopolitical climate that caused the future election of a Marxist president in Chile (Gossens in 1970)

“…silence is our worst enemy” – Muller Spent her life committed to the exposure of the

severe torturous acts of the Chilean government during this season of her life for the sake of her son.

“Most concrete example of what it means to have a member of one’s family disappear” (p. 226).

MARIA FERREIRA DOS SANTOS

Set during early 1960’s in Sao Paulo Brazil

Member of Christian Base Community Concerned with stimulating political

awareness and action in her community through CEBs (social/politically active church).

Maria was part of this religious response to oppression

MARIA FERREIRA DOS SANTOS CONTINUATION… Sees Jesus Christ as the “liberator of the

poor and oppressed” and motivates her actions.

Significant because… these groups will never be internationally

recognized as political players Shows that the individual can make a

difference Religion is inseparable from people and

politics