Complete Thesis_double spaced abstract.pdf

Spanish colonization and reinforced by the Liberals in Guatemala, include, (1) the acceleration of
land appropriation, (2) increased use of forced labor and migrations for agricultural output, (3)
increased dependence on agricultural exports, especially coffee, indigo and cacao, and (4)
increased reliance on foreign investors and corporations.
Beginning in 1871 during the Liberal Revolution, the Liberals instituted four new
strategies that have had significant effects on migration and political violence in the time frame
examined by this study. The first change was a systematic decrease and dismantling of the role
and functions performed by the Catholic Church; including the disestablishment of the Catholic
Church as the official religion of the state. During the initial Liberal rule, and again during the
Liberal Revolution, there were attempts by the Liberals to secularize Guatemala. The Catholic
Church was disestablished and freedom of religion was instituted. The previous duties of the
Catholic Church (education, marriage, record keeping) were severely curtailed, clergy were
persecuted and exiled, and parishes were destroyed and disbanded during the Liberal Revolution
(Weaver, 1999, 134-135). Additionally, Liberals attempted to remove any traces of Mayan and
Spanish culture deemed to be holding back progress (Weaver, 1999, 133-135). The belief was
that if Mayan and Spanish culture and heritage could be eradicated then the country could be
better unified and would benefit in the long-term. Liberals viewed the Catholic Church and the
military regime as “nonprogressive” institutions; organizations deemed too difficult for criollo
elites to directly influence or control (Weaver, 1999, 129-158, 133).
By consolidating the military under the federal leadership of a single caudillo and
dismantling the functions of the Catholic Church the criollo Liberals believed they would be able
to reclaim the predominant role in society; the individuals in charge of creating and maintaining
the social and economic order (Weaver, 1999, 133). The Liberal Revolution endured longer than
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