In the nineteenth-century, Latin American intellectuals had varying viewpoints of the relationship between their nation and Latin America, to the West and enlightenment. Some wanted no European influence, and others welcomed the thought of European enlightenment. Also, they had differing perceptions on democracy and the relation the leaders should have with the people. Furthermore, they had differing stances on how race and economic progress fit into their ideals. The writings of Simón Bolívar, José Martí, José Domingo Sarmiento, and Juan Bautista Alberdi give the readers a clear understanding of what these Latin American intellectuals wanted for their Nations and Latin America. It is believed that Simón Bolívar wrote the “Jamaica Letter”…show more content… He believes that European enlightenment is the epitome of civilization, and that the Argentine republic needs more more European influence in order to progress. In this writing, he stated that the country's “desire should be for union in civilization and in liberty, while there has been given us only union in barbarism and in slavery”(Sarmiento, p.83). Sarmiento is referring to the barbarism he believed that Rosas lead with and the fact that they have been under Spain's control for so long, which he believed is not a progressive nation. He wanted the people to be educated and more European. Sarmiento felt that a nation could not be democratic if it was not educated, and pictured White, educated, European immigrants as the leaders. Furthermore, he felt that the Indigenous people were savages and lived in a wild area of the country. However, he felt that the black people in Argentina benefited from living in the city, which makes them more integrated with European culture. Overall, Sarmiento felt that the Indigenous people, were barbaric and in the way of progression, and that White, educated, European immigrants could help educate the Argentinians. He felt this would lead to a liberal country with a boosted economy, and great civilization, Unfortunately, the Natives did not seem to fit into his plan very…show more content… In “Immigration as a means of progress”, he writes that “The united States is such an advanced country because it is now, and has been continually, composed of people from Europe”(Alberdi, p.97). Alberti believed that these European immigrants would enrich the local men through education, and give them a feeling of responsibility. These are virtues which he thought were necessary for advancing the nation. Furthermore, he asserted that the industriousness of Europeans and the United States could help found an industrious South America. In general, Alberdi wanted European immigrants to play a political role and make things more harmoniously. He thought that there would be less likelihood of a revolt. Alberdi’s democracy was geared towards the White European immigrants. In this paper, he discussed the foreign policy, plan for immigration, religious tolerance, inland immigration and railroads. Allo f these were meant to attract more White European immigrants. Overall, he felt that it would be too difficult to educate the native population. Therefore, the educated European immigrants would help instill new ideas on the people. However, much like Sarmiento, Alberdi also saw the natives as a hinderance for progress and his democracy was not for
