South American Independence

Causes Social classes (again) – Peninsulares in charge. – Creoles demanded more rights. – Castas demanded rights. Period.

Causes The Enlightenment – Wealthier peninsulares and creoles brought ideas to South America. Many were educated in Europe. Prior revolutions – United States and France showed that revolutions could make more democratic governments. – Haiti showed how bloody things could be if the poor castas took over.

Causes Napoleonic wars – Napoleon ousted King Charles IV of Spain and replaced him with Joseph Bonaparte in – Both full scale military action and guerilla warfare going on in Spain until 1814.

Causes – Peninsulares vs. Creoles Peninsulares Wealthy government officials. Benefited from connection with Spain. Wanted to stay loyal (became royalists during the wars). Creoles Upper class, some wealth. Were prevented from advancing because of colonial arrangement. Used Napoleonic Wars as excuse to try to gain more autonomy of colonies (although not independence, at least initially).

Creoles set up juntas as temporary leadership of the colonies to make some reforms and control them until the king could be resorted to power in Spain. – Junta – a group of people controlling the government, especially after a revolutionary seizure of power – Often members of the military.

“The Precursor” – Francisco de Miranda From New Grenada (Venezuela). Creole background. Traveled extensively in North America and Europe. Involved in both American and French Revolutions.

Attempted invasions of Venezuela, with British help, in 1806 and Established a temporary Republic of Venezuela Captured by the Spanish – died in prison in 1816.

“The Liberator” - Simón Bolívar Wealthy creole family. Raised by a black nurse. Educated in France. Served in Spanish army in South America

Participated in Miranda’s unsuccessful attempt to create an independent Venezuela. Led his own expedition in – Decree of War to the Death, or Decreto de Guerra a Muerte. – Called for all South Americans to support revolution or face death.

Unconventional leader. – Realized that he needed lower class support. – Freed his own slaves as an example. – Gained support from Alexandre Petion (Haiti’s president), in Petion 

Successful military leader. – Personal leadership in battle. – Organized and equipped a successful army. – Never allowed the royalist forces a chance to regroup.

Battle of Boyacá Aug. 7, 1819 Spanish royalists vs. Bolivar’s army (with British support). Royalist defeat led to temporary truce.

Battle of Carabobo June 24, 1821 Spanish royalists vs. Bolivar’s army (with British support). Resulted in independence of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama.

Gran Colombia Consisted of modern Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. Bolivar was the president, but failed to maintain unity. Dissolved into three smaller countries in 1830.

“The Muscle” - Jose de San Martin Creole – father was an unsuccessful military officer. Born in Argentina but raised in Spain. Joined Spanish army and fought against the French in the Napoleonic Wars.

San Martin resigned from the Spanish army in 1811 to join the independence movement in South America. – Did he miss his homeland? – Was he a British agent?

Commanded Army of the North in Led the Army of the Andes across the mountains into Peru and Chile in 1817 to spread the independence movement.

Battle of Chacabuco Feb. 12, Argentine army vs. Spanish Royalists. Argentine victory weakens royalist power and army. 100 Argentine vs royalist casualties.

Battle of Maipu April 5, 1818 Combined Chilean/Argentine army victorious. Entire loyalist army destroyed.

Bernardo O’Higgins Irish family, but born in Chile. Wealthy creole family. Educated in England and Spain. Acquainted with Francisco de Miranda.

Returned to Chile in 1802 after his father’s death. Government official and landowner. Led Chilean independence movement and joined forces with San Martin.

Simón Bolivar Meets José de San Martin in Guayaquil, Ecuador – July 22, 1822.

Following the Guayaquil meeting, San Martin resigned as commander of the army and moved to France. – Why?

Battle of Ayacucho Dec. 9, Spain sent an army of 20,000 men to aid royalists. Combined army from Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Peru (with British volunteers) won.

Finalized independence of South America.

Independence dates in the Americas.

Influence of British Aid The British government was interested in weakening the power of Spain. After Napoleon was defeated, many unemployed veterans joined independence movements. – Political and personal motives At least 7,000 total. – Fought at Boyaca, Carabobo and Ayacucho. Gregor MacGregor – Yes, his real name

Impacts of Independence Bolivar dreamed of a united South America, but geographic and cultural issues prevented that. – Gran Colombia split in – Chile and Argentina never united because of the Andes. – Bolivar died in 1830.

Economic Impacts Increase in poverty. – Warfare disrupted trade – No more Spain as a guaranteed trading partner. – Destruction of farmland and towns.

Political Impacts In the mid-1800s, leadership of most countries was in the hands of “caudillos”. Political-military leaders – essentially warlords. Wealthy creole families.

Political Impacts Claimed to be progressive, offering changes for the people, but ruled as dictators. Most were corrupt and only helped their own supporters. Most political transition happened through coup d’etat’s. – Contributed to the political instability of South America for the next 100 years.