Caudillos They often represented the grievances of different interest groups: ranchers, farmers, merchants, landowners, miners, lower classes, Indians –Some focused on lower classes (Carrera - Guatemala) –Others were of mixed racial and social origins (Paez - Venezuela) –While others defended their nation from foreign intervention (Guemes - Argentina) Caudillos were typically successful and popular officers that fought in the wars of independence –Power from landholdings, control of local militia, supported by peons (former soldiers) and loyalty from lower classes Local support was like a patron-client relationship –Caudillo provided work and security to the masses, and in return he allowed workers to maintain small land and livestock holdings
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