Revolutions in Latin America

This lesson asked a question that still rings strong today, especially in the wake of the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.  The essential question(s) was: Why is it essential to acknowledge human value regardless of race? How are the events in the Latin American Revolutions evidence of this social imperative? In class, we studied the influence of race in revolutions in Latin America, and the similarities between them. Race was an influence in all of the revolutions, just as it influenced most parts of life at the time. We were divided into three groups, and each group read a summary of their revolution and then created a timeline of the events of their revolution and other events. These groups then broke off into smaller groups that would join up with others to spread the word of their revolution.

Our groups timeline about the Brazilian Revolution

When our groups converged we discussed the similarities between the Brazilian, Mexican, and Gran Columbian Revolutions. All the revolutions were against the European countries who had colonized them, were in general the lower class fighting against the upper class, and all of them pitted races against one another. Both Mexico and Gran Columbia were revolting against Spain, while Brazil was against Portugal. Brazil was also the least violent of all the revolutions. All the revolutions proved that the people in power should be of varying races. The three countries had different outcomes in terms of what kind of government was established. Brazil became a constitutional monarchy, Mexico became a constitutional monarchy then a republic, and Gran Columbia became a Republic. The Brazilian Revolution instated Penisulares as rulers. Mexico overthrew its Creole and Peninsulare rulers. In Gran Columbia, mixed race people overthrew the Penisulares. 

In our society, people are still judged based on race. One of the most applicable examples currently is the situation in Ferguson, Missouri. Whether or not Michael Brown was shot with any reason, there is no denying that the situation is racially charged on both sides, and many people are being judged for their race, white or black. Even more recently, there was another case of a young black teenager being shot by a police officer just this week. The boy had a toy gun, and was shot almost instantly after he was seen. There is almost no doubt that racial profiling was involved. Race is clearly still very prevalent in our society, however, we have come very far, and no longer have an official social structure based solely on race.