Comments by "Gorilla Disco" (@gorilladisco9108) on "Understanding Latin America." video.

  1. Latin America became poor because when they became independence, they decided to preserve special rights of the feudal entities. Overtime the feudal entities were replaced by politically connected families, but the special treatments persist. This is in contrast with the United States that was established by peasantry and they decided from get go to rid themselves of any semblance of feudalism. Blaming USA is misguided and only prolong the harm of such institution. Around the time of American countries rush to independence, USA was just a third rate power. It's nothing compared to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, .. hell, even Paraguay was stronger than USA. USA was smaller and more sparsely populated than any Latin American countries. However, the persistence of quasi-feudalism institution stagnated Latin American countries, while USA managed to advance in leaps and bounds. By 1840s, USA managed to bludgeon Mexico. By 1860s, it already a first rate power. When USA came with Monroe Doctrine in 1820s, Latin America countries were amused of the audacity of that former British peasants with their third rate power. They even joked around and cheered it. By 1920s, it's no longer joke.
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