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Caudillo
A military or political strongman who seized power in newly independent states, often ruling through personal authority rather than institutions.
Creoles
American-born descendants of Europeans who sought greater political and economic power but were excluded from top positions under colonial rule.
Creoles
American-born descendants of Europeans who sought political and economic independence but often resisted radical social change.
Factionalism
The division of a political movement, party, or government into competing groups or factions, each pursuing its own interests or ideology.
Infrastructure
The fundamental physical and organizational structures, such as transportation, communication, and energy systems, needed for a society’s economy to function effectively.
Liberal Reformer
A leader or thinker who advocates for gradual political and social change based on Enlightenment and liberal principles.
Mercantilism
An economic system where colonies supplied raw materials to enrich the mother country and were restricted from independent trade.
Mestizo
A person of mixed European and indigenous ancestry in the Spanish colonies.
Monroe Doctrine
A U.S. policy (1823) declaring the Western Hemisphere off-limits to further European colonization or interference.
Nationalism:
A political ideology emphasizing loyalty and devotion to one’s nation, often seeking self-determination, unity, and independence from foreign control.
Natural rights
The Enlightenment concept that all humans are born with inherent rights to life, liberty, and property (or happiness).
Natural Rights
Basic rights belonging to all humans from birth (life, liberty, and property) which governments are meant to protect.
Non-intervention
A foreign policy principle asserting that states should not interfere in the internal affairs or domestic politics of other nations.
Social Contract
The voluntary agreement between the people and their government defining mutual responsibilities and limiting state power.
Tariff Policy
A government’s system of taxing imported or exported goods to protect domestic industries, raise revenue, or regulate trade.
Taxation without representation
The colonial protest slogan expressing the belief that Parliament had no right to tax people who lacked elected representatives.