Revolutions: Latin American Independence Standard 7-3.3

Background For 300 years Spain and Portugal held colonies in the Americas without any serious threat to their rule. In the 1800s, however the situation changed. Inspired by the American and French Revolution, Latin Americans formed their own movements for freedom

Background Life in the Spanish and Portuguese Colonies Spain and Portugal believed the colonies were there to make them wealthier (MERCANTILISM). Cash Crops – landowners enslaved Native Americans and Africans to work their plantations Catholic Church forced Native Americans to covert to Christianity Catholic Church controlled nearly 50% of wealth in Latin America

4 Spain’s Rigid Social Order Peninsulares Creoles Mestizos Native Americans & Mulattos

Spain’s Rigid Social Order Peninsulares – Colonial leaders born in Spain (or Portugal); held all military and political positions – Creoles – Colonial-born; controlled most of the land and businesses in the colonies – people of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry Mestizos – people of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry Largest group in most colonies Largest group in most colonies Worked as servants, laborers, or plantation overseers Worked as servants, laborers, or plantation overseers Had few political rights Had few political rights

Spain’s Rigid Social Order Native Americans and Mulattos belonged to the lowest class. Mulattos – people of mixed African and European descent All groups below peninsulares resented Spanish and/or Portuguese rule.

Haitian Revolution French colony French colonists were very brutal to the enslaved Africans 500,000 of the 560,000 people in Haiti were slaves 1790s – Revolt led by Toussaint L’Ouverture Gained independence from France

Mexico 1810 – Father Miguel Hidalgo led the fight against the Spanish government in Mexico Wanted independence and the end of slavery Defeated and executed in – Jose Maria Morelos carried on Hidalgo’s fight; His forces were defeated and was executed in – Mexico gained independence Father Miguel Hidalgo Father Jose Maria Morelos

South America Simon Bolivar “The Liberator” Worked for nearly 30 years ( ) to win independence for many South American colonies Won independence for Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, and Ecuador Simon Bolivar

South America Jose de San Martin Won independence for Chile in 1818 Helped Peru gain freedom in 1820 Met up with Bolivar in 1822; however, they disagreed on strategy and went different ways Jose de San Martin

Brazil Achieved independence without bloodshed Portuguese Royal Family fled to Brazil after Napoleon invaded Portugal 1822 – Brazil was granted full independence from Portugal Became a constitutional monarchy – First emperor was Pedro I

Challenges to Growth Common Problems Lack of national unity and stable government Geography – people were separated by mountains and jungles Latin Americans had little experience in governing themselves Catholic Church and government were still closely linked Social inequality was still a major problem

Challenges to Growth Political Conflicts Liberals called for: separation of church and state; breakup of large estates; higher taxes; public social services; and civilian control of government Conservatives wanted: strong central government and a powerful Church and army Many governments appeared to be democracies, but were military dictatorships Caudillos – dictators who ruled by military force Large gap between the ruling rich and the poor