CORTOS DE LA HISTORIA CONGRESO ANFICTIÓNICO

Summary

The transcript outlines the historical context surrounding the Congress of Panama in 1826, convened by Simón Bolívar to unite Latin American republics after their wars of independence from Spain. Bolívar sought to create a political alliance to protect the region from external threats, such as the Holy Alliance and U.S. expansionist ambitions. While some countries, like the United States and Brazil, were excluded, the congress aimed to establish a common political system. Despite its intentions, the congress failed to unite the region due to internal conflicts and political instability, marking the end of the first attempt at Latin American political unity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Spanish American wars of independence forced Latin American countries to unite against Spain, their common enemy.
• 😀 After the wars, there was a desire to create a unified project for the newly independent nations.
• 😀 Bolívar believed that unity was crucial to avoid external threats, particularly from the Holy Alliance in Europe and expansionist ambitions of the United States.
• 😀 The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 by President James Monroe alarmed Bolívar, leading him to prioritize unity to ensure independence.
• 😀 Bolívar was convinced that only a united Spanish America could prevent interference from Europe and the U.S.
• 😀 Bolívar proposed a Congress in Panama that would only include delegates from Spanish-speaking countries, with shared cultural roots.
• 😀 Bolívar refused to invite the United States, considering them a threat to the security of Spanish America.
• 😀 Santander, however, had a broader view and invited the U.S. as observers, showing differing opinions on U.S. involvement.
• 😀 Brazil was also not invited because it had chosen monarchy over the republican system, which Bolívar saw as a threat.
• 😀 The Panama Congress faced issues, such as the absence of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, and ultimately failed to achieve political unification of Spanish America.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of the Congress of Panama?

The Congress of Panama was convened by Simón Bolívar to discuss the unity of Spanish-speaking Latin American nations in the wake of their independence from Spain. Bolívar believed that only through unity could these nations protect their independence and defend against potential threats, including Spain and the United States.

Why did Bolívar oppose inviting the United States to the Congress of Panama?

Simón Bolívar saw the United States as a potential threat to the security of Latin America, especially after the U.S. President James Monroe's message in December 1823, which Bolívar viewed as expansionist. Therefore, Bolívar did not want the U.S. to participate, even as observers, in the Congress.

What role did Francisco de Paula Santander play in the Congress of Panama?

Francisco de Paula Santander, who was temporarily acting as president of Colombia while Bolívar was in Peru, took a more open stance and invited the United States to participate as observers in the Congress of Panama. His decision was contrary to Bolívar's stance.

What was Bolívar's vision for the unification of Latin American nations?

Bolívar envisioned a unified Latin America, which would include nations sharing a common language, culture, religion, and history. He believed that only such unity could safeguard the region's independence from external threats like European powers and the United States.

Why did Bolívar not invite Brazil to the Congress of Panama?

Bolívar did not invite Brazil because, although it had gained independence, Brazil had established a monarchy, which Bolívar viewed as incompatible with the republican and anti-monarchical ideals that were taking shape across Spanish-speaking Latin America.

Which countries attended the Congress of Panama?

The countries that attended the Congress of Panama were Mexico, the Central American Confederation, Colombia, and Peru. However, the Provinces United of the Rio de la Plata did not attend, as they accused Bolívar of trying to establish himself as a dictator over the entire continent.

What was the outcome of the Congress of Panama?

The Congress of Panama was unable to achieve its goal of forming a political confederation among the Spanish-speaking Latin American nations. The final session was moved to Tacubaya, Mexico, but political instability in Mexico prevented further progress, effectively ending the first attempt at political unification.

What were the reactions from international powers to the Congress of Panama?

Internationally, the Congress of Panama received attention from the United States. Despite Bolívar's opposition, the U.S. was invited as an observer by Santander, though the U.S. Congress showed little interest and chose not to actively participate. The U.S. stance, as described in its instructions, was to avoid compromising its central role and to reject any European colonization attempts in the Americas, except for Cuba and Puerto Rico.

What role did the Santa Alianza (Holy Alliance) play in the creation of the Congress of Panama?

The Santa Alianza, a coalition of European monarchies, was seen by Bolívar as a significant threat to Latin American independence. Bolívar believed that the Holy Alliance might attempt to intervene in Latin America to restore Spanish colonial rule. The Congress of Panama was, in part, an effort to unite the newly independent nations of Latin America against this external threat.

How did the Provinces United of the Rio de la Plata view Bolívar's leadership?

The Provinces United of the Rio de la Plata did not attend the Congress of Panama because they believed Bolívar was seeking to use the congress to elevate himself to a position of power where he could potentially become a dictator over the whole continent. They were wary of his leadership and its potential implications for their autonomy.