Independence in Latin America 1800–1830
A. Roots of Revolution Wealthy colonial residents of Latin America were: – frustrated by the political & economic power of colonial officials – angered by high taxes and imperial monopolies Inspired by: - Enlightenment - American & French Revolutions
SOCIAL HIERARCHY Peninsulares: Creoles: Native Spaniards People of pure European blood But born in the New World P C Mulattos: African + European blood Mestizos: Indian + European blood M M I & A Indians and Africans CAUSES
The Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil under King John Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal & Spain: – 1807-1809 dissenters (Creoles) in Venezuela, Mexico, & Bolivia tried to overthrow Spanish colonial officials – 1810: new round of revolutions
Conditions of the encomienda system?
B. Spanish South America: 1810–1825 Creole-led revolutionary junta declared independence in Venezuela in 1811 Freed blacks & slaves rallied against creole landholders
C. Simón Bolívar 1. Simón Bolívar: the leader of the Venezuelan revolutionaries 2. Bolívar: – attracted slaves & freed blacks – commanded loyalty of his troops
Bolívar defeated the Spanish armies in 1824: – tried to create single nation of “Gran Colombia” – failed… “America is ungovernable for us. He who serves a revolution plows the sea.”
Argentina Jose de San Martin: Creole who was Spanish officer. 1814: Joined rebels and joined Bernardo O’Higgins taking Argentina, Chile, and Peru and later joining Bolivar. -
D. Mexico: 1810–1823 Mexico was Spain’s richest & most populous colony Horrible treatment of Amerindian population… 1810: priest Miguel Hidalgo called for uprising against Spanish authorities Hidalgo executed…
MIGUEL HIDALGO “My children, will you be free? Will you make the effort to recover from the hated Spaniards the lands stolen from your forefathers 300 years ago?”
E. Colonel Agustín de Iturbide 1821: Agustín de Iturbide declared Mexico’s independence (w/ himself as emperor…) 1823: army overthrew Iturbide…Mexico a republic
F. Brazil to 1831 Invasion of Spain & Portugal by Napoleon: King John of Portugal ruled from Brazil until 1821 King John’s son (“Dom” Pedro) remained in Brazil & named himself king… Liberal policies upset slave-holding landowners