It would be the "Andes" mountains to the west that cause Patagonia To Be Dry Barren And Windy, since this mountains prevent much of the natural rainfal from coming in an enriching any available soil.
Nelson mandela made the phrase black power popular in the mid 1960's
The United States Government could not tax the states and therefore had no money, they could not control trade between states and states started putting tariffs and taxes on other states goods. They were treated as a United States. Not one Country. Most importantly, shown in Shay's Rebellion, they couldn't raise an army. Only ask for volunteers
