Social Classes of Latin America Known as a sociedad de castas - based on racial origins: peninsulares - born in Spain - Spanish government officials, church officials - the clergy: priests, monks Creoles - born in America - controlled local economies, owned haciendas (plantations) and mines the castas - mestizos and mulattos - those of mixed origins Indians and African slaves

Latin America 1700’s Power switched from the Hapsburg to the Bourbon rule. Bourbon family started to pay more attention to the American colonies, believed the American colonies could bring Spain back to economic power Spain started to pass reforms on the colonies – 1. Limited power of Catholic Church – 2. Imposed taxes – 3. Maintaining Royal Monopolies These reforms were similar to the Intolerable Acts that were imposed on US colonies

Latin America Napoleon’s conquest of Spain was the spark for independence in the colony of New Spain, as Mexico was known at the time. Mexico was a Spanish colony with a mixture of creoles, peninsulares, Indians, and people of mixed race. Napoleon named his brother Joseph Bonaparte ruler of Spain.

Outside factors to cause Rev Enlightenment ideas of liberalism spread among Creoles American Revolution showed how it could be done - inspired revolutionary leaders French Revolution idea of “liberty, equality and fraternity” but up to a point. Fear of Haiti’s slave revolt made Creoles act quickly.

Haitian Revolution Saint Domingue, western half of Caribbean island Hispaniola, first Latin American territory to break ties with Europe Sugar exports made Saint Domingue one of France’s richest possessions Prosperity built on slave labor French Revolution had dramatic effect on island

Haitian Revolution Toussaint L’Ouverture - led the of Hatian Revolt Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen gave vote to all free men, including mulattoes French settlers on Saint Domingue resisted new law Toussaint L’Ouverture led bloody revolt against settlers Toussaint’s military, political actions made him hero in Hispaniola

Haitian Revolution French emperor Napoleon worried about revolt in Hispaniola Sent French general to take control of colony away from Toussaint – Island forces struggled for months – 1802, Toussaint agreed to armistice – French broke agreement, sent him to prison; Toussaint died there, 1803 Fight for independence continued – 1804, revolutionaries declared independence – Named new nation Haiti

Haitian Revolution Haiti is the only nation to ever gain its independence from a successful slave revolt and was the second (after the United State’s successful revolution in 1776) independent nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Mexican Independence 1810, creole priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo, made first public call for Mexican independence Father Miguel Hidalgo – wrote a letter called “Grito de Dolores” – September 16, 1810, Hidalgo delivered famous speech calling for fight against Spanish peninsulares, though not against Spain – End classes, hunger, lack of land and high taxes His Plan: Redistribute of lands, abolish slavery end Indian Tribute (taxes Native Americans had to pay to Spaniards)

Mexican Independence 80,000 joined his army, however they were defeated by the Spanish Army and the Militia Hidalgo was captured and murdered After the murder of Hidalgo, Father Jose Morelos continued to fight He created the Constitution Decree for the Liberty of Mexico – Unlike the USA, it was based on Catholic teachings – Like the US’s Declaration of Independence, it was written after the war began – Morelos wanted Mexico to be an independent republic with guaranteed freedoms – Had the idea of banning slavery

Mexican Independence Morelos was captured and executed, however years of guerilla warfare continued Mexican elite saw an opportunity to create a new nation Augustin de Iturbide created Plan de Iguala – 1. Independence from Spain – 2. Supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church\ – 3. Equality of peninsulares and creoles

Mexican Independence Iturbide’s forces succeeded on the battle field and forced Spain to sign Treaty of Cordoba Treaty of Cordoba- signed in 1821, recognized Mexican independence That same year Mexico named Iturbide as its emperor and he became Emperor Agustin I of Mexico

Mexican Independence How were the goals of Hidalgo, Morelos, and Iturbide different, and how were they similar?