1. Latin American Revolutions
In the early 1800s, many Latin Americans became inspired by the Enlightenment, American & French Revolutions & began to demand their independence from European colonizers
In the 1800s, Latin Americans began to challenge for their independence

4. Independence in Haiti

5. Uprising in Haiti
The 1st Latin American uprising took place in the French colony of Haiti
90% of Haitians were slaves who worked fields to provide Europe with sugar & coffee (French were usually cruel slave masters)
In the 1790s, François Toussaint-Louverture (a former slave) led a revolt but was captured by Napoleon’s army in 1802

7. Uprising in Haiti
Haitians took advantage of the French soldiers’ sickness due to malaria & defeated the French
In 1804, Haiti became Latin America’s 1st independent former colony

8. Independence in Mexico

9. Independence in Mexico
Mexico was under Spanish rule, but by 1810 an independence had begun led Miguel Hidalgo a Catholic priest; Hidalgo was captured & killed

10. Independence in Mexico
In 1821, a revolution in Spain allowed creoles to declare their independence; military general Agustín de Iturbide named himself emperor of Mexico
In 1823, Iterbide was overthrown & Mexico became a democratic republic

12. South American Colonies
Columbia
South American Colonies
Venezuela
Panama
Ecuador
Peru
Bolivia
Chile

13. Independence in South America
Inspired by revolutionary movements, the people of South America revolted
Simón Bolívar—led revolt against Spanish; Won freedom for Northern Latin America (Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador)

15. Independence in South America
José de San Martín—freed Southern Latin America (Chile & Peru)
By 1826, all of South America was liberated

17. Common Problems in Latin America

18. Common Problems
Latin Americans created democratic republics in their newly independent nations, just like the USA & France
But, because Latin Americans were not given the chance to vote or hold office when they were colonized, they did not know how to rule themselves well

19. These caudillos wanted power, not improvements for the citizens
Common Problems
These caudillos wanted power, not improvements for the citizens
Almost all Latin American nations were run by a caudillo, who claimed to be a president but ruled as a dictator
After independence, there was little change for common people; creoles & caudillos took power from the peninsulares but did not help the lower class native people

20. Common Problems The new nations in Latin America
had little manufacturing so they became dependent upon the United States for trade
had weak armies so they were vulnerable to conquest by stronger European countries

21. Common Problems
The USA wanted to protect Latin America (and its “economic interests” in Latin America); US President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823— “Latin America is off limits! The US will protect it”