Latin American Revolutions
Latin-American Revolutions October 12 th – 14 th, 2015 Essential Questions: What were the Latin-American revolutions, and how revolutionary were they? Objectives: To understand the basic social, political and economic structure of colonial Latin America To understand how the nations of Latin America won their independence Homework: Keep reading “Echoes of Revolution.” Also, begin studying for Atlantic Revolutions test (October 20 th or 21 st ) using Unit Organizer and other resources.
Where in the world? Latin America refers to the part of the New World colonized by Spain and Portugal beginning in Sometimes France is included, too.
Today, Latin America includes 20 independent countries and 6 territories.
What institutions controlled colonial society? The Crown The Spanish government collected 20% of precious metals, sales of slaves Top colonial administrators were from Spain or Portugal (peninsulares) The Catholic Church Similar to its role in France, it was part of everyday life Held great wealth and political power Patriarchy Men held power over women Like elsewhere in the world at this time, women could not own property, participate in government, hold well-paid or high-status jobs, get more than a basic education, divorce or otherwise challenge their husbands
How did cultures mix? Transculturation Racial Mixing (mestizaje) The Columbian exchange – plants, animals, microbes
How did race structure colonial society?
How did Brazil achieve independence from Portugal? When Napoleon invaded Portugal in 1807, King João VI moved to Brazil, giving it equal status with Portugal. When João returned to Portugal in 1821 following the Constitutional Revolution there, he left his son Pedro in charge. After constitutionalists took away Pedro’s power, he moved against them by declaring Brazil’s independence in The Empire of Brazil lasted until a republic was created in 1889.
Was this a revolution? Prince Pedro surrounded by a cheering crowd after giving the news of Brazilian independence, September 7, 1822.
How did Mexico achieve independence from Spain? In 1810, radical priest Miguel Hidalgo led a revolt of native and mestizo peasants against Spain. Jose Maria Morelos, another radical priest, carried it on after his death. Creole and peninsular elites put this revolt down, but then decided to throw off Spanish rule because they didn’t like Spain’s liberal reforms. They selected Agustin de Iturbide to rule as emperor of an independent Mexico in Mexican liberal elites then revolted against him and declared a republic in 1823.
Was this a revolution? Father Miguel Hidalgo issuing the Grito de Dolores, a call for Mexican independence, in 1810.
How did Venezuela achieve independence from Spain? A junta of revolutionaries seized power in Caracas in 1811 and declared a republic. Their leader, Simon Bolivar, then convinced the llaneros, mestizo cowboys from the interior, to fight against Spain by appealing to their common South American heritage. With this army and other support (including Haiti), Bolivar went on to liberate Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador in a series of bloody battles by Finally, he joined forces with Jose de San Martin, who had liberated Argentina and Chile, to defeat the Spanish in Peru at the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824.
Was this a revolution? This painting by Arturo Michelana, Vuelvan Caras (About Face), depicts Jose Antonio Paez leading his llaneros at the Battle of Las Queseras del Medio, 1819.
What was revolutionary? The nations of Latin America achieved independence from Spain and Portugal. Bolivar’s dream of a unified continent didn’t work out, and many countries split into smaller ones. The revolutions were fought in the name of Enlightenment ideals like popular sovereignty and most countries set up republican governments with constitutions, (limited) voting, and rights.
What was not revolutionary? For the most part, these were not social revolutions. The creole elites simply went from #2 to #1. Bolivar and other revolutionary leaders feared that their revolutions would radicalize and spin out of control. Women’s roles remained largely unchanged. Slavery was gradually abolished in most countries. Brazil was the last, in In many countries, democracy proved fragile and military dictators took power.
How were these revolutions connected to the others? Inspired by Enlightenment ideals Though maybe not as much The U.S., France and Haiti led by example Haiti provided military aid to Bolivar Napoleon!
Napoleon and the Revolutions Napoleon conquers Spain King Ferdinand VII taken captive Crisis of legitimacy among colonial authorities Serves to unite liberal and conservative creoles against them Revolutionary juntas in support of Ferdinand VII Buenos Aires Santiago Asuncion Caracas La Paz New Granada
Napoleon and the Revolutions Napoleon defeated King Ferdinand resumes power Ferdinand opposes liberal reforms in Spain and colonies Wants to crush rebellions Revolutionary wars of independence San Martin (Argentina) Bolivar (New Granada) Hidalgo (Mexico)
Latin American Wars of Independence
New Nations In Latin America