History 110
Spring 2015
Liberalism and the State in 19th Century Latin America
At the start of the 19th century elites divided into Liberal and Conservative parties contended for power in most Latin American countries, with no clear sense of who would prevail. The result, most often, was political turmoil in many countries: lots of presidents, directors, emperors, and many caudillos; lots of constitutions being written, lots of fighting. Early success by Liberals (think of Rivadavia in Argentina) was often undone by Conservatives (Rosas), and then that was reversed. But, sometime from the middle of the 19th century to the end of the century, Liberals had taken control of the government in most Latin American countries.
Your task in this paper is to offer some explanations for the ultimate success of the Liberals: why did Liberals begin to dominate Latin American political systems starting around mid-19th century? To answer will require that you synthesize a fair amount of material that you have been reading and that we have been talking about. That, in fact, is the objective I have in assigning this topic. It will test your ability to present a good synthetic analysis of many sources in the form of a cogent argument that seeks to explain why Liberals emerged as a dominant form.
This paper is to be based on secondary sources: the books and articles you have been reading as well as the video lectures (although you can use primary sources if you think they help). You do not have to do additional research for this paper outside of the materials we have already used in the class. It requires that you have taken good notes, and I recommend further than you form a small study group to discuss the topic.
A good paper will:
1) Include a definition of 19th century liberalism and its Conservative alternative;
2) Set out a clear thesis in the first paragraph. The best approach is to use the following formula: “In this paper, I will argue that … “ Follow that by a brief summary of the steps you will take to argue your thesis: “To begin, I will explain what I mean by Liberals and Conservatives, then I will look at the specific case of Guatemala in the late 19th century. Using that case, I will look at…”
3) Present a general argument about the Liberal ascendency, and back up that argument by providing evidence drawn from 2-3 cases that we have read about. You can mention others in passing, but concentrate on 2-3 to develop at any level. Using evidence drawn from your readings and class discussions is the best way to bolster your argument.
4) Suggest what the consequences were of the Liberal victory (in any terms you chose: political, economic, social; for the wealthy, for the indigenous, etc.).
6) Use the proper citation format, as given in “How to Cite Sources for this Course” - http://www.oberlin.edu/faculty/svolk/citation.htm. The citation format I use is “Chicago Manuel of Style” format, used by historians. Citations must be in footnotes (bottom of the page) or endnotes (end of the paper), not parenthetical citations even if you are citing different pages from the same source. Unlike the sciences, you do not use a bunch of numbers at the end of the sentence1, 2, 3 If you have multiple sources for a single sentence or paragraph, you combine the citations in a single footnote. (If you have questions, see how Larson does it.) You do not have to provide a bibliography or “Sources Used” page: your footnotes/endnotes are sufficient.
7) Sign an Honor Code.
8) Turn in your paper via Blackboard: Go to “Assignments” in the top “Content Area” of Blackboard; Click on “Assignments,” click on “Mid-term Essay” – and you’ll upload your paper from there.
Papers are to be 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1” margins. Use Word or pdf format.
You are encouraged (but not required) to find a peer reviewer for this paper. If you do have a peer review your paper, include his/her name on your paper. You may use more than one peer reviewer.
All papers must be turned in by 9:00 AM on Monday, March 16.
Keep in mind: If you have questions about this assignment, if you’re not sure how to begin, if you don’t know what I’m asking for: Please arrange a time to see me or come into office hours. The best time is not a day or two before the paper is due.
Spring 2015
Liberalism and the State in 19th Century Latin America
At the start of the 19th century elites divided into Liberal and Conservative parties contended for power in most Latin American countries, with no clear sense of who would prevail. The result, most often, was political turmoil in many countries: lots of presidents, directors, emperors, and many caudillos; lots of constitutions being written, lots of fighting. Early success by Liberals (think of Rivadavia in Argentina) was often undone by Conservatives (Rosas), and then that was reversed. But, sometime from the middle of the 19th century to the end of the century, Liberals had taken control of the government in most Latin American countries.
Your task in this paper is to offer some explanations for the ultimate success of the Liberals: why did Liberals begin to dominate Latin American political systems starting around mid-19th century? To answer will require that you synthesize a fair amount of material that you have been reading and that we have been talking about. That, in fact, is the objective I have in assigning this topic. It will test your ability to present a good synthetic analysis of many sources in the form of a cogent argument that seeks to explain why Liberals emerged as a dominant form.
This paper is to be based on secondary sources: the books and articles you have been reading as well as the video lectures (although you can use primary sources if you think they help). You do not have to do additional research for this paper outside of the materials we have already used in the class. It requires that you have taken good notes, and I recommend further than you form a small study group to discuss the topic.
A good paper will:
1) Include a definition of 19th century liberalism and its Conservative alternative;
2) Set out a clear thesis in the first paragraph. The best approach is to use the following formula: “In this paper, I will argue that … “ Follow that by a brief summary of the steps you will take to argue your thesis: “To begin, I will explain what I mean by Liberals and Conservatives, then I will look at the specific case of Guatemala in the late 19th century. Using that case, I will look at…”
3) Present a general argument about the Liberal ascendency, and back up that argument by providing evidence drawn from 2-3 cases that we have read about. You can mention others in passing, but concentrate on 2-3 to develop at any level. Using evidence drawn from your readings and class discussions is the best way to bolster your argument.
4) Suggest what the consequences were of the Liberal victory (in any terms you chose: political, economic, social; for the wealthy, for the indigenous, etc.).
6) Use the proper citation format, as given in “How to Cite Sources for this Course” - http://www.oberlin.edu/faculty/svolk/citation.htm. The citation format I use is “Chicago Manuel of Style” format, used by historians. Citations must be in footnotes (bottom of the page) or endnotes (end of the paper), not parenthetical citations even if you are citing different pages from the same source. Unlike the sciences, you do not use a bunch of numbers at the end of the sentence1, 2, 3 If you have multiple sources for a single sentence or paragraph, you combine the citations in a single footnote. (If you have questions, see how Larson does it.) You do not have to provide a bibliography or “Sources Used” page: your footnotes/endnotes are sufficient.
7) Sign an Honor Code.
8) Turn in your paper via Blackboard: Go to “Assignments” in the top “Content Area” of Blackboard; Click on “Assignments,” click on “Mid-term Essay” – and you’ll upload your paper from there.
Papers are to be 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1” margins. Use Word or pdf format.
You are encouraged (but not required) to find a peer reviewer for this paper. If you do have a peer review your paper, include his/her name on your paper. You may use more than one peer reviewer.
All papers must be turned in by 9:00 AM on Monday, March 16.
Keep in mind: If you have questions about this assignment, if you’re not sure how to begin, if you don’t know what I’m asking for: Please arrange a time to see me or come into office hours. The best time is not a day or two before the paper is due.