Latin American Peoples Win Independence Chapter 24 Section 1

Spurred by discontent and Enlightenment ideas, peoples in Latin America fought colonial rule. Sixteen of today’s Latin American nations gained their independence during this time. Main Idea

Present Day Latin America

Colonial Society Divided Like so many of the other societies we have studied, Social structure or Class, dictated peoples place in society and their jobs. Latin American colonies were divided into six main groups: Peninsulares Creoles Mestizos Mulattos Africans Indians Colonial Society Divided

Peninsulares Highest Class Born in Spain Small percentage of population Only group that could hold a high governmental office Peninsulares

Creoles Spaniards born in Latin America Ranked below peninsulares Could not hold a high political office Could rise as officers in the army Creoles

Mestizos Ranked below Peninsulares and the Creoles Mixed European and Indian ancestry

Mulattos Mixed European and African ancestry As well as enslaved Africans Mulattos

On the lowest rung of the social ladder Indians

Revolutions in the Americas News of the American and French Revolution had spread to the colonies. The success of the American Revolution encouraged them to try to gain freedom from the European masters. Revolutions in the Americas

Revolution in Haiti Saint Domingue – First European colony to free itself from European rule. N/K/A – Haiti French colony 500,000 African slaves worked on French plantations Greatly outnumbered their masters Brutal methods were used to keep the slaves powerless.

During the French Revolution The oppressed people of Haiti rose up against their French masters. August 1791 – 100,000 enslaved Africans rose in revolt. Leader – Toussaint L’Ouverture (too-SAWN loo-vair-TOOR) Took control of the entire island and freed all the enslaved Africans January 1792 – 30,000 French came to Saint Domingue to remove Toussaint from power. During the French Revolution

Toussaint L’Ouverture Toussaint agreed to stop the revolution IF the French would end slavery. The French agreed. However, the French sent him away to die in prison. Toussaint L’Ouverture

Haiti’s Independence Toussaint’s lieutenant – Jean-Jacques Dessalines Continued to fight for freedom. January 1, 1804 – Dessalines declared Haiti an independent country. First black colony to free itself from European rule. Haiti’s Independence

Creoles Lead Independence Creoles were the least oppressed of those born in Latin America. Well-educated Traveled to Europe to be educated. Brought back ideas of the revolution with them. Creoles Lead Independence

Napoleon and Spain Napoleon removed Spain’s king and made his brother king. Creoles considered the new king as French and did not support his rule over the colonies. Creoles justified their actions with Locke’s idea of consent of the governed. Since king was removed, power shifted to the people. Rebellion broke out in several parts of Latin America

Simon Bolivar Creole general, from Venezuela Venezuela declared its independence from Spain in 1811. Spain wouldn’t accept the declaration. Bolivar led an victorious army and by 1821, Venezuela was independent. Simon Bolivar

Jose de San Martin Creole general, from Argentina Declared Argentina’s independence in 1816. San Martin freed Chile. Devised a plan with Bolivar to free Peru.

Bolivar leads San Martin’s Army Pursuant to their agreement, San Martin left his army for Bolivar to lead. Defeated the Spanish in 1824. This was the last battle in the war for independence. The Spanish colonies won their freedom. The future countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador became known as the Gran Colombia. Bolivar leads San Martin’s Army

Mexico Ends Spanish Rule In most Latin America countries, creoles led the revolutionary movements. In Mexico, however, ethnic and racial groups mixed more freely. Indians and mestizos played the leading role in revolutionary movements. Mexico Ends Spanish Rule

1810 – Padre Miguel Hidalgo took the first step toward independence. Hidalgo firmly believed in Enlightenment ideas. Rang his church bells to gather a crowd on September 16, 1810. When the peasants gathered, he called for a rebellion against the Spanish. A Cry for Freedom

March toward Mexico City The next day, 80,000 Indian and mestizo followers marched toward Mexico City. This uprising of the lower classes alarmed the Spanish army and creoles. Feared loss of land, control and their lives. Army defeated Hidalgo in 1811. March toward Mexico City

Morelos led the revolution for four years before being defeated by Creole officer Agustin de Iturbide. Jose Morelos

Mexico’s Independence 1820 – Spain put a liberal group in power in Mexico. Creoles feared loss of their privileges. They united in support of Mexico’s independence. Mexico proclaimed independence in 1821. Ironically, under the man who had defeated Morelos- Agustin de Iturbide Mexico’s Independence

Central America Central America had been governed by Spain. 1821 – several Central American states declared their independence from Spain. The emperor of Mexico refused to recognize the declaration. 1823 – emperor was overthrown. Became known as Provinces of Central America: Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica. Central America

Brazil’s Royal Liberator Brazil’s request for independence was unusual. It did not involve violence. 1807 – Napoleon’s armies invaded both Spain and Portugal to close the ports to British shipping. The royal family boarded ships to Brazil to escape capture. Made Rio de Janeiro the capital of Brazil. Brazil’s Royal Liberator

Brazil’s Independence Portugal was governed from Brazil for 14 years. After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, the royal family returned to Portugal six years later. The king’s son, Dom Pedro, stayed behind in Brazil. It was the king’s intent to return Brazil to a colony status. Brazil’s Independence

1822- 8,000 Brazilians signed a petition asking for its independence. They asked Dom Pedro to rule. The King agreed to Brazil’s independence. Bloodless Revolution