Week 4, Discussion 1 Reading Response In the reading Lagner constructs the recent history of the Eastern Andean Frontier,

developing ideas that can be seen across Latin America. The development of this region, although, has different elements that are key. The power dynamic of this region shifted between the Indians and Creoles throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. A key factor was the complex nature of the geography in the region. The unpredictableness of the landscape favored Indigenous war tactics in the early 18th century. With this the power dynamic in the region favored Indigenous populations. Moving into the late 19th and 20th century the power shifted into the hands of Creoles, as technology and population growth favored their communities. An interesting aspect of the frontier history is the transformations it brought to the native groups. The missions themselves imposed the European culture, religion, and structures on the native population. Creoles allied themselves with certain groups over the years, and trade was interlaced throughout the period. With the rise of Social Darwinism, the natives were seen as a lower race. Consequently, their communities were torn apart, and most natives worked in the plantations. With these components, the frontier culture developed differently from both Creole and Indian society. With the long history of interactions between Indians and Creoles in the region, lots of culture and ideas were exchanged between the two populations. In addition, the swaying power dynamic gave way to an exchange that was amplified. Indians were able to pass through the different missions in the region, and a new society was crafted: borrowing from both Creole and Indigenous society. Coupled with this was the labor migration that intensified into the 20th century. These movements across the frontier spread this blended culture. This frontier culture incorporated Creole goods: gunds, textiles, and iron goods. The people themselves embodied the frontier itself. This region is an important example of the different factors that shape the transformations along the frontier, and how this society came to be juxtaposed between Indian and Creole societies.