Latin American Revolutions

Independence for Haiti

  • In August 1791, 100,000 enslaved Africans revolted in Saint Domingue

  • Led by Toussaint Louverture

  • Over 10 years they defeat France & Napoleon’s armies

  • After Louverture’s capture Jean Jacques Dessalines declares independence in 1804

  • Names the nation Haiti & abolishes slavery

The Colonial System in Latin America

  • Spain & Portugal dominate Latin America since the Columbian Exchange

  • The Spanish government controlled trade for its own benefit 

  • Viceroys - royal officials who rule

  • Mercantilism - Colonies must buy manufactured goods from the home country and sell their resources

Class System

  • A rigid class system was in place since European colonization

  • Unequal distribution of wealth and power among Latin Americans

  • Legal Classifications in society: 

  • Peninsulares: Those born in Spain and 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

Revolution Begins

  • Napoleon conquered Spain in 1808 & makes his brother king

  • Latin American colonists refused to accept French rule

  • Revolution broke out across Latin America 

Simon Bolívar

  • 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

Jose de San Martin

  • Creole from Argentina

  • Liberated Argentina, and Chile from Spanish rule 

  • Gave Simon Bolivar command of his army in 1822 and they liberated Peru, the
    last of the Spanish colonies   

Independence for Mexico

  • Father Miguel Hidalgo was inspired by Enlightenment ideals

  • His grito de dolores calls for a rebellion against Spanish rule in 1810 

  • Gathered 90,000 mestizos & indigenous people in an army

  • Over 10 years various forces come together

  • Independence was finally achieved on September 27, 1821

Brazil’s Independence

  • Portugal’s royal family fled to Brazil when Napoleon invaded in 1807

  • Prince Dom Pedro remained and was asked to rule

  • Independence declared in 1822

The Monroe Doctrine

  • Issued in 1823 by US President James Monroe

  • Says Latin America must remain independent

  • Europeans interfering in Latin America is a threat to America’s peace & safety