Latin American Independence Standard 7-3.3

Ruling the Colonies Colonies existed to give money and resources to the home country (cash crops and wood) Catholic church: Converted natives in Latin America Held high government offices Controlled half of the wealth of L.A.

Ruling the Colonies Social Order Penisulares (Europeans) – held important military and government positions in the colonies Creoles (parents are European but they are born in the colonies) – controlled land and business in the colonies, educated in Europe. This group will lead most of the revolutions in Latin America! Mestizos (Native American and European ancestry) and Mulattos (African and European ancestry) – worked as servants Indians Slaves

Haiti (Saint-Dominigue) First country to rebel in Latin America, only successful slave revolt in history Sugar and coffee plantations were essential to France 450,000 of 500,000 people were slaves 1794: Francois Toussaint L’Ouverture (former slave) led a revolt – plantations were burned. He takes control. 1802: Napoleon sent military to take back over Haiti. L’Ouverture is capture and sent to a French prison to die. Yellow fever is spread around the island, killing the French soldiers. Rebel army beats the French and gets independence in 1804.

Creoles Feelings of nationalism toward the countries in Latin America inspired the creoles to desire self-rule and to create equality in the social classes. Used Enlightenment ideas such as Locke’s “consent of the government” and feelings of nationalism to justify rebellion against Spain! Will use Spain’s preoccupation with the Napoleonic Wars to begin their rebellion.

Mexico 1810 – Father Miguel Hidalgo wants to help the poor Indians and mestizos Started as a freedom march to Mexico City, but grew as thousands joined in. Set up a government in Guadalajara. Spain sends 6,000 soldiers to help the upper classes defeat 80,000 Hidalgo supporters. Hidalgo is captured and executed in 1811.

Mexico Another revolt four years later also fails. Finally, Mexico gained independence in 1821 when the Creoles, led by Agustin de Iturbide, declared independence form Spain. Then the United Provinces of Central America broke from Mexico. In the 1830’s, UPCA was divided into Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

South America 1808: Napoleon takes control of Spain, gives the South American colonies an opportunity to revolt Simon Bolivar (from Venezuela) led many colonies to independence. He was inspired by the French Revolution He won independence for Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, and Ecuador

South America At the same time, Jose de San Martin (Argentina) and Bernardo O’Higgins worked to achieve independence for Chile and Peru. Martin and Bolivar met in Ecuador to discuss independence, but couldn’t agree on strategy. Martin lets Bolivar take control. By 1826, all of South America was liberated

Brazil Bloodless revolution! Napoleon invades Portugal in 1808 causing King Joao to escape to Brazil. King Joao improved trade and agriculture ($$$) Funded public education, military schools, medical schools, and an art school 1815 King Joao declares Brazil’s independence In 1820, he returns to Portugal and puts his son, Pedro, in charge of Brazil In 1822, Pedro gets full independence, names himself Emperor Pedro 1. Brazil becomes a constitutional monarchy.

Challenges to Growth Geography: mountains and jungles make communication and transportation difficult Colonies were used to a very controlling government (authoritarian). New leaders had no experience in leading. Social classes remained, but the creoles moved to the top of the food chain. Many countries turned into military dictatorships.