1. Latin America Independence and Change

2. Independence Movement Early 1800s: European countries are still controlling colonies in Latin America. Gained crops, gold, and silver 13 American colonies declared independence from Britain Latin America begins calling for independence from Europe

3. Independence Movement: Toussaint L’Ouverture 1804: French colony of St. Domingue (Haiti) became the first colony to fight for and win independence Rich colony with sugarcane and coffee plantations French planters forced slaves to work long hours in terrible conditions Slaves rebelled in 1791 killing thousands of colonist and burning the land Toussaint L’Ouverture former slave led one of the rebellion groups

4. Independence Movement: Toussaint L’Ouverture 1794: France freed the slaves Toussaint then fought the Spanish and the English who were trying to take the land 1799: Toussaint controlled the country and named himself dictator for life Began rebuilding the country, set up a constitution that guaranteed decent wages, housing, and medical care for people

5. Independence Movement: Toussaint L’Ouverture French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was insulted by Toussaint becoming dictator Sent French army to retake the colony Toussaint was captured and died in a French prison 1803: French give up the island after French soldiers died of yellow fever 1804: St. Domingue became independent and was renamed Haiti

6. Independence Movement: Simon Bolivar Simon Bolivar: born in Venezuela and believed that Venezuela should free itself from Spanish rule 1810: Bolivar begins fighting for independence of South American countries. He continues to fight for 15 years Bolivar becomes president of the republic of Gran Colombia Includes Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador

7. Independence Movement: Simon Bolivar Bolivar moved south and liberated Peru and Bolivia Bolivar is called “The Liberator” because of his battle to free South America from the Spanish control Bolivia is named for him

8. Independence Movement: Miguel Hidalgo 1800s: Mexican leaders want independence from Spain Miguel Hidalgo was a Catholic priest that wanted freedom from Spain. Believed in social reform, wanted slaves to be free, wanted land returned to Mexican farmers, and wanted Spain to stop taxing Mexican citizens so heavily.

9. Independence Movement: Miguel Hidalgo 1808: France invaded Spain. Spain’s government was having trouble. Hidalgo decided this was a good time to revolt against the Spanish while they were weak. Hidalgo led a small group of protestors to Mexico City (grew to 2,000 people) Protestors were defeated in battle Hidalgo tried to escape to the United States but was captured and killed.

10. Independence Movement: Miguel Hidalgo Independence movement continued after Hidalgo died Known as the “Father of Independence” 1821: Mexico finally gains their independence from Spain

11. Change in Cuba Spanish-American War of 1898 led to changes in the last two colonies United States declared war on Spain to help the people gain freedom from Spanish rule and to protect sugarcane plantations owned by American businesses US won the war, and Spain gave up Cuba and Puerto Rico

12. Change in Cuba For the next 50 years, Cuba had a series of different leaders. Some leaders were elected while others took over as Dictators The country of Cuba was very wealthy, while the people were very poor. Of course, the people are upset by this

13. Change in Cuba Cuban Revolution 1950s: Fidel Castro led a group of rebels against the corrupt government of dictator Fulgencio Batista 1959: Rebels defeated Batista’s army and took over the government Castro came to power during the Cold War Period of conflict between the United States and Soviet Union Castro sides with the Soviet Union and begins trading weapons and goods

14. Change in Cuba Fidel Castro sets up a communist government where he controls businesses, farms, TV, radio, newspapers, and schools People who opposed him were imprisoned or killed Poor people supported Castro because he improved health care and education Successful Cubans had their land taken from them Many people leave for Florida

15. Change in Cuba 1961: US cuts off ties with Cuba 1991: Cuba loses Soviet Union as an ally when it breaks apart Cuba’s economy suffers and is still struggling now Food shortages happen frequently

16. Change in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico became a U.S. dependency Territory under U.S. control Cuba became independent from Spain, but remained under U.S. control 1902. U.S. helped to establish a new government and set up a military base on Guantanamo Bay

17. Zapatista Guerrilla movement 1994: rebellion emerges in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas Native Americans rise up against the Mexican government Rebels called themselves the Zapatista National Liberation Army Group was named for Emiliano Zapata Indian farmer and hero of the 1910 Mexican Revolution

18. Zapatista Guerrilla movement Protested the poverty faced by Native Americans and other farmers in the region Revolted started hours after the NAFTA trade agreement (Canada, US, Mexico) Poor Mexican farmers did not like NAFTA because cheap corn from the US began to flood into Mexico Farmers in Chiapas were also upset because of laws in land ownership After the Mexican Revolution, the constitution granted land to people

20. Zapatista Guerrilla movement Zapatista’s seized control of four large towns in Chiapas Over 100 were killed Government regained control and called for a cease-fire Negations begin: Improvements are made in housing, education, fair division of land, laws ensuring Native Americans were represented in the national legislature