1. Revolution in Latin America

2. Spain’s New World Empire
by 1800

3. Origins Spanish reforms in 1700’s raised taxes and restricted trade
By 1800, many creoles had been exposed to Enlightenment ideas from Europe
American Revolution convinced many in Latin America that independence was possible
Haitian Revolution was also influential, but frightened many slave owners

4. Napoleon’s Conquests
Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808 and replaced the Spanish king with his brother
Creoles in Latin America saw this as an opportunity to challenge the authority of the peninsulares
Formation of juntas

5. Independence in Mexico
Uprisings against colonial gov’t began in1810
Independence achieved in 1821 as a constitutional monarchy
Republic proclaimed in 1823
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

6. Independence in Spanish South America
Bolivar (N) and San Martin (S) led military struggle against Spanish
Independence achieved throughout region by 1825
Simon Bolivar

7. Independence in Brazil
Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil following Napoleon’s invasion in 1807
When they returned to Portugal in 1821, son Pedro I became king of Brazil
Under popular pressure, Pedro proclaimed Brazil an independent const. monarchy in 1822
King Pedro I

9. Post-Colonial Challenges
Role of Catholic Church in gov’t brought into question
Slavery abolished by 1850’s, but societies remained divided by race and class
Export-based neo-colonial economies developed

10. Personalist leaders (caudillos) exercised power outside constitutional limits
European nations and the U.S. consistently interfered in Latin American affairs