1. LATIN AMERICA

2. TERMS
Creoles – descendants of Europeans born in Latin America who lived there permanently
Peninsulares – Spanish and Portuguese officials who resided temporarily in Latin America for political and economic gain
Mestizos – people of mixed European and Indian descent

3. REVOLTS The weakening of European powers during the Age of Napoleon
Resentment of European leaders for draining the Americas of their wealth
Social divisions and oppression of the poor

4. KEY PEOPLE Mexico South America
Miguel Hidalgo – led Mexico’s first revolt
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna – Ruled from Misused state funds, halted reforms and created chaos. Led Mexico in wars against the U.S. in the 1840s.
Benito Juarez – president who brought reforms to Mexico in the s. He was the son of native American peasants and became a national hero.
South America
Jose’ de San Martin – considered a “Liberator of South America”. Liberated Argentina, Chile, and helped liberate Peru.
Simon Bolivar – also considered a “liberator of South America” by freeing Venezuela, Peru and much of the rest of South America.

5. U.S. RESPONSE
The Monroe Doctrine – Issued by President James Monroe, it threatened to intervene if any European nations tried to get involved in Latin American politics. Helped insure independence of Latin American nations.
The Panama Canal – begun by the French, but completed by the U.S. It cut travel time from the Atlantic to Pacific in half.
The U.S. periodically sent troops to Latin American countries to put down rebellions.
Latin American countries referred to the U.S. as “The big bully to the north”.