The study of intellectual evolution shows us how great is the power of ideology in these rising democracies. They imitate the French Revolution; they submit themselves to the influence of the ideas of Rousseau and the Romantics, and of the doctrines of the individualists. America, Spanish and Portuguese by origin, is becoming French by culture (Book III.).
Here we proceed to the study of the part played by the Latin spirit in the formation of these peoples, and the perils which threaten them, whether these proceed from the United States, from Germany, or from Japan, and to consider the faults and the qualities of this spirit (Book IV.). Then follows an analysis of the problems and the future of Latin America (Book V.).
The conclusion to be drawn from this examination is that the political life of the Ibero-American peoples is as yet chaotic, but that some of them have already cast off the fetters of an unfortunate heredity. Across the ocean liberty and democracy are steadily becoming realities. In the battles of the future the support of America will be valued by the great peoples of the Mediterranean who are struggling for the supremacy of the Latin race.
Its psychological characteristics--Individualism and its aspects--The sentiment of equality--African fanaticism.
The conquerors--The conquered races--The influence of religion in the new societies--Colonial life.
I. Economic and political aspects of the struggles--Monarchy and the Republic--The leaders: Miranda, Belgrano, Francia, Iturbide, King Pedro I., Artigas, San Martin, Bolivar--Bolivar the Liberator: his ideas and his deeds.
II. Revolutionary ideology--Influence of Rousseau--The rights of man--The example of the United States--English ideas in the constitutional projects of Miranda and Bolivar--European action: Canning--Nationalism versus Americanism.
MILITARY ANARCHY AND THE INDUSTRIAL PERIOD
Anarchy and dictatorship--The civil wars: their significance--Characteristics of the industrial period.
The moral authority of Paez--The Monagas--The tyranny of Guzman-Blanco--Material progress.
PERU: GENERAL CASTILLA--MANUEL PARDO--PIEROLA
The political work of General Castilla--Domestic peace--The deposits of guano and saltpetre--Manuel Pardo, founder of the anti-military party--The last _caudillo_--Pierola: his reforms.