Why Spanish America Split into Many Countries While Brazil Remained One

Historical Context

• Christopher Columbus (1492): Did not anticipate the struggle between Spain and Portugal over the New World.
• Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Agreement between Isabella and Ferdinand (Spain) and John II (Portugal) to divide the lands outside Europe.

Cultural Heritage

• Latin America reflects cultural division: Spanish and Portuguese are the predominant languages.
• In Spanish America, multiple official languages are spoken, while Brazil maintains Portuguese.

Administrative Differences

Geographic Administration

• Portuguese America (Brazil): Population concentrated in coastal cities, centralized administration.
• Spanish America: Divided into viceroyalties (New Spain, Peru, Rio de la Plata, New Granada) with little connection between them.

Education and Elite

• Brazil: No local universities; students traveled to Portugal, promoting a homogeneous elite loyal to the crown.
• Spanish America: Larger number of universities, fostering independence movements.

Additional Factors

Flight of the Portuguese Royal Family

• 1808: Napoleonic invasion leads the Portuguese court to move to Brazil, creating a source of legitimacy.

Power Vacuum in Spain

• Napoleon's invasion creates instability and fosters independence movements in Spanish America.

Unification and Fragmentation

• Brazil: Maintained unity due to fear of social disorder and slave revolts.
• Spanish America: Internal disputes and lack of monarchical legitimacy led to post-independence fragmentation.

Plans for Unification

• Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín (1822): Considered unifying the colonies but it did not prosper.

Conclusion

• Administrative structure, education, the presence of the monarchy, and fear of revolts were key factors in Brazil remaining a unified country and the fragmentation of Spanish America into multiple nations.