Question

Victória, a woman of mixed ancestry and mother of three children—a 12-year-old daughter, a 6-year-old daughter, and a 6-year-old son—in wishing to give an education to her children, claims that her former master Marcos Leão Velloso, owner of the sugar mill nearby, refuses to let these children attend school, as he prefers to have them work in the sugarcane as if they were slaves and subject to punishments. Felicidade, an African woman, also requests that her grandchildren be freed from the same owner. Since Velloso's actions are an attack upon the natural right of liberty ensured by the act of the 13th of May [1888] that ended slavery in the Brazilian Empire, I request the help of Your Excellency in this matter. I am certain that you will help, if only because these women wish to educate their children for the benefit of the nation." Letter from the abolitionist Eduardo Carigé to the president of the Brazilian province of Bahia, 1890sThe letter most clearly reflects which of the following developments in the period 1750-1900 ?A. Enlightenment challenges to traditional social structures in Latin AmericaB. Growing conflicts in Latin America influenced by Marxist theoryC. Growing economic imperialism by Great Britain in Latin AmericaD. Emerging anticolonialist movements in Latin America

Answer 1

Answer:

A

Although the Enlightenment movement was a 17th and 18th century movement, their ¨faith¨ in Reason and the individual expression influenced many a person and even countries such as France:

Egalité, liberté, fraternité  

Explanation:

B In general Marxist theories are used to explain the fundamental differences between those who own a production mode (and get richer) and those who work producing (and stay poor).

C Great Britain was not involved in any economic imperialism in Latin America; The whole area from Mexico to Chile probably would have been known as British America.

D The emerging anticolonialist (and independent) movements in Latin America date from the early 19th century. The abolition of slavery was still far away and was another matter.

A The European Enlighthenment emphasized Reason, as opposed to Faith, as the only way to improve humanity. Within this reasoning there clearly was a more individual approach to how humans should live their lifes without the religious chains that focused on the group instead of the person.

Speaking of chains: the abolition of slavery was the logical consequence of implementing liberty, equality and brotherhood.