ABSTRACT
What is referred to in the historiography as the oligarchical or neocolonial periods had their origins during these years. A new generation, born either during or after the struggle for independence, came of age and, either inspired or terrified by the 1848 Revolution in France, replaced the former generation in the corridors of power. As one cycle came to an end, another began. The despair of the generation that had witnessed the dreams of the hopeful 1820s dissolve during the subsequent three decades of constitutional failures was replaced by the hope of a young emergent political class.
