Latin America in the Nineteenth Century

The period immediately following independencein Hispanic America was a time of turmoil anddisunity: it was a period defined largely by caudillo rule throughout the region. The rise of caudillos was a logical response to the disorder, destruction, and collapse of rule during and after independence. Much has been made of the caudillo in academic and nonacademic literature, for his fiery, charismatic personality has, since the early nineteenth century, captured the imaginations of social scientists and novelists alike.