Latin American Independence Movements

Haitian Revolution

  • In August 1791, 100,000 enslaved Africans revolted in Saint Domingue.
  • Toussaint Louverture led the revolt, and over 10 years, they defeated France and Napoleon’s armies.
  • After Louverture’s capture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared independence in 1804.
  • The nation was named Haiti, and slavery was abolished.

Spanish and Portuguese Domination

  • Spain and Portugal dominated Latin America since the Columbian Exchange.
  • The Spanish government controlled trade for its own benefit.
  • Viceroys were royal officials who ruled in the colonies.
  • Mercantilism dictated that colonies must buy manufactured goods from the home country and sell their resources.

Rigid Class System

  • A rigid class system was in place since European colonization.
  • There was an unequal distribution of wealth and power among Latin Americans.

Class System Details

  • Peninsulares: Those born in Spain were the only ones allowed to hold high government offices.
  • Creoles: People born in the New World to Spanish parents.
  • Mestizos: People of mixed European & Native American ancestry.
  • Mulattos: People of mixed African & European ancestry.
  • Native Americans: The majority but with the fewest rights.

Impact of Napoleon

  • Napoleon conquered Spain in 1808 and made his brother king.
  • Latin American colonists refused to accept French rule.
  • Revolutions broke out across Latin America.

Simón Bolívar

  • A native-born Creole from Venezuela.
  • Inspired by the Enlightenment.
  • Built support to defeat the Spanish in Colombia in 1819, then led Venezuela to independence in 1821.

José de San Martín

  • A Creole from Argentina.
  • Liberated Argentina and Chile from Spanish rule.
  • Gave Bolívar command of his army in 1822, and they liberated Peru, the last of the Spanish colonies.

Miguel Hidalgo

  • Father Miguel Hidalgo was inspired by Enlightenment ideals.
  • His “grito de Dolores” called for a rebellion against Spanish rule in 1810.
  • He gathered 90,000 mestizos & indigenous people in an army.
  • Independence was finally achieved on September 27, 1821, after over 10 years of fighting.

Brazilian Independence

  • Portugal’s royal family fled to Brazil when Napoleon invaded in 1807.
  • Prince Dom Pedro remained and was asked to rule.
  • Independence was declared in 1822.

Monroe Doctrine

  • Issued in 1823 by US President James Monroe.
  • Latin America must remain independent.
  • European interference in Latin America is a threat to America’s safety.

Discussion Question

  • What impact did the strict classes of society have on independence movements? If they were not in place, how might things have been different?