The Latin American Way of Life, II. Cultural Factors and Attitudes Making for Unity.

The article discusses Latin America's way of life, as of April 1968. The language of Castile was spread from Cape Horn to California, and Castilian became the official language of Spanish America. At the present time the illiterate peasant from Patagonia has no difficulty in making himself understood by his fellows on the plains of Venezuela or in the deserts of northern Mexico. The language of Castile has been one of the strongest forces in welding into national political units the various geographic and social sectors of each of the Hispano-American republics. And it is no less important in creating a feeling of solidarity among the various Hispanic nations themselves. One unifying factor of great significance in Latin America is the Roman Catholic Church. Catholicism is the dominant religion over the entire area except for a few tiny English and Dutch enclaves, little more than Protestant beachheads. The Latin American is willing to make great sacrifices when appealed to in the name of his honor, and he can also be violent and cruel when he believes his honor or dignity to be offended.