Latin America’s Enlightened Revolutionary Leaders Enlightenment liberal Idealists: Miguel de Hidalgo-priest Simon Bolivar-Grand Colombia Benito Juárez-Mexico’s liberal reformer José de San Martín: Domingo F. Sarmiento

José de San Martín (1778 – 1850) One of the major liberators of South America from Spanish rule He is also known as Argentina's liberator, and was one of the principal revolutionary fighters against royalist forces in South America. He was a master of military strategy, a skill which led him to success. Became a national hero in many South American countries, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and particularly in Argentina By 1825 all of Spanish America had won political independence. All were republics with representative governments.

Miguel Hidalgo (1753 – 1811) Read and studied the works of Enlightenment Europe though forbidden in Mexico at the time. He launched a colonial independence struggle against Spain, mother country that had become excessively oppressive in Mexico. A priest in the village of Dolores, he gave a fiery speech, called Grito of Dolores, urged the people to overthrow Spanish rule. His speech moved the people to marched toward Mexico City, but unarmed, they were soon defeated and Father Hidalgo was captured but the revolution he started did not die.

Simon Bolivar-Gran Colombia Simon Bolivar-Gran Colombia (1783 – 1830) A general and one of South America’s most important leaders. He is called “The Liberator.” He lead Spanish America in a successful struggle for independence. Contributed to the independence of the present-day countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia. After defeating the Spanish Monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of Gran Colombia, a nation formed from the liberated Spanish colonies. He was President of Gran Colombia from 1821 to 1830.

Regarded as Mexico’s greatest and most beloved leader, resisted French occupation, overthrew the Empire, restored the Mexican Republic, and modernize the country Regarded as Mexico’s greatest and most beloved leader, resisted French occupation, overthrew the Empire, restored the Mexican Republic, and modernize the country Became a lawyer in 1834 and a judge in 1841 Became a lawyer in 1834 and a judge in 1841 Governor of the state of Oaxaca from 1847 to 1852 Governor of the state of Oaxaca from 1847 to 1852 Went into exile in 1853 due to objections to the dictatorship of Santa Anna Went into exile in 1853 due to objections to the dictatorship of Santa Anna In 1854 he helped draft the Plan of Ayutla as the basis for a liberal revolution in Mexico. In 1854 he helped draft the Plan of Ayutla as the basis for a liberal revolution in Mexico. Served five terms as president of Mexico from 1858 until he died in office in 1871 Served five terms as president of Mexico from 1858 until he died in office in 1871 The first Mexican leader who did not have a military background The first Mexican leader who did not have a military background The first full-blooded indigenous national ever to serve as President of Mexico and to lead a country in the Western Hemisphere The first full-blooded indigenous national ever to serve as President of Mexico and to lead a country in the Western Hemisphere Benito Juárez ( Benito Juárez (1806 – 1872)

The Liberation of Latin America

Independent States of Latin America in 1830