🌎 Latin American Revolutions

When were Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires weakened?

When Napoleon overthrew their monarchies in Europe.

José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar led independence movements against which country?

Spain

What inspired revolutionary leaders in Latin America?

The American Revolution.

True or False: Toussaint-Louverture was the leader of the slave revolt in Haiti.

True

True or False: Peninsulares (born in Spain or Portugal) had the most rights and privileges in Latin America.

True

What influenced Latin American leaders and citizens to fight for independence?

All of these — Enlightenment ideas, successful American & French revolutions, and European powers being distracted by wars.

What was unique about Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain?

The early phases of the revolution were led by priests.

Why is Simón Bolívar known as “The Liberator”?

He led many South American countries in successful revolutions against Spain.

How does inequality lead to revolution? (French & Latin American Revolutions + today)

Inequality leads to revolution when large groups feel exploited and powerless. In France, the estate system gave power and privileges to the First and Second Estates while the Third Estate paid most taxes and had little political voice. In Latin America, systems like the encomienda and rigid social hierarchies favored Europeans while exploiting Indigenous people and enslaved Africans. These inequalities created resentment and demands for change. Today, similar patterns appear when people protest unfair systems through labor unions, social movements, and social media activism.