Latin American Revolution

From 1500 to 1800 Latin America was colonized by Europe, especially Spain Catholic missionaries from Spain and France converted Indians

Social pyramid was unfair in Latin America White Europeans were at the top of society Spanish Creoles had money but no power

There were lots of interracial marriages bc of lack of European women and as a result there were lots of mixed people Mestizos: kids of Europeans and Indians Mulattos: kids of Europeans and Africans

Indians and Africans were at the bottom of the social pyramid

From 1800 to 1830 Latin American colonies began declaring independence from European nations and becoming democratic countries

Latin Americans were inspired to gain their independence bc of the success of American and French Revolutions Age of Enlightenment influenced the creole social class.

HAITI was the first Latin American colony to free itself from European Rule Haiti was a French colony with 500k African slaves working on sugar plantations.

In 1791 Haitian slaves revolted against their masters. Toussaint L’Ouverture bc leader of the slave uprising and helped free all slaves in 1801.

In 1804 France granted Haiti its independence and it bc a republic.

Creoles had wealth and education but could not participate in government. By 1810 the Creoles demanded rights after learning about the Age of Enlightenment. Two creole generals helped make sure South American nations got independence.

A man from Venezuela named Simon Bolivar led an army of revolutionaries against Spain He helped created the new nations of Grand Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia

He is called the George Washington of South America!

A man from Argentina named San Martin led an independence movement in the southern part of South America. Nations called Argentina, Chile, and Peru formed bc of his actions.

In Mexico a man named Miguel Hidalgo led 80000 revolutionaries against the Spanish military He was killed in fighting but in the end Spain grants Mexico its independence in 1821

Sadly the new nations in South America/Central America did not do a good job of governing themselves. Military dictators took over and other countries depended on the USA (SOME STILL DO TO THIS DAY)