Latin American Independence I. The Spanish Empire –A. Political Elements : 1. Conquistadors : Conquer & claim land throughout the Americas 2. Viceroys : Representatives appointed by the King in charge of different provinces 3. Council of the Indies : Monitors viceroys & other officials to keep their authority in check

Latin American Independence I. The Spanish Empire –B. Economic Elements: 1. Encomiendas : Rights granted to conquistadors to extract $ from colonies – i) Conquistadors force natives to work for them – ii) Gold, Silver & Sugar become profitable – iii) Mercantilism ensures that colonies trade only w/ Spain

Latin American Independence I. The Spanish Empire –B. Economic Elements: 2. Atlantic Slave Trade – i) s : Slave trade grows due to lack of workers in colonies » a) Disease & cultural mixing decrease native populations » b) Catholic priests protest enslaving natives – ii) s : # of slaves skyrockets

Latin American Independence I. The Spanish Empire –C. Social Elements: 1. The Catholic Church : Functions as the central figure in colonial society 2. The Social Order – i) Peninsulares : People born in Spain. Held all the top gov’t & church positions – ii) Creoles : American- born descendants of Spanish settlers. Owned most profitable businesses

Latin American Independence I. The Spanish Empire –C. Social Elements 2. The Social Order – iii) Mestizos : People of both European & Native American descent & Mulattoes – People of both European & African descent. Held a variety of jobs and positions – iv) Native- Americans & Africans - slaves or peasants

Latin American Independence II. Haitian Revolution –A. Background : French develop colony on the island of Hispaniola – i) Sugar plantations emerge as valuable source of income s : Slavery becomes primary source of labor – i) Growing French debt = push for more profit = more slaves

Latin American Independence II. Haitian Revolution –B. Slaves Revolt : As word of French Revolution spreads, group of former slaves take action – i) “Egalite” becomes the rallying cry of the rebels – ii) Toussaint L’Ouverture emerges as skillful and inspiring leader

Latin American Independence II. Haitian Revolution –C. The Revolution grows 1. Early Years: The revolt spreads, but lacks focus 2. Struggle : Colonial powers try to seize control – i) L’Ouverture’s army fights against French, Spanish & British – ii) Intense violence : L’Ouverture gains control of the island – i) Slavery is abolished

Latin American Independence II. Haitian Revolution –D. Independence : Napoleon tries to reclaim the colony – i) L’Ouverture captured, but rebels continue – ii) Yellow fever devastates French Army : The French are defeated, Haiti declares independence – i) 1820 : Haiti declared a Republic

Latin American Independence III. A Free Mexico –A. The Call to Action : Napoleon gains control of Spain, causing wealthy Creoles in Mexico to worry 2. El Grito de Dolores – 1810 : Father Miguel Hidalgo calls upon his people to fight for independence : Small peasant armies strike out against the Spanish gov’t

Latin American Independence III. A Free Mexico –B. Revolution struggles 1. As rebels call for liberal reforms, conservative Creoles abandon support – i) 1811: Hidalgo captured & executed 2. Father Jose Morelos takes the lead, but the rebels gain very little – i) 1815: Morelos captured & executed : Spanish & Creole armies scatter the rebels

Latin American Independence III. A Free Mexico –C. Independence : As liberals gain control in Spain, Creoles worry about the effects on Mexico : Creole leader Augustin de Iturbide gathers rebels & Creoles to overthrow Spanish government – i) Iturbide crowns himself emperor Agustin I

Latin American Independence IV. A New Brazil –A. Background 1. Colonial Economy : Different than Spanish colonies due to lack of precious metals – i) Brazilwood : lumber – ii) Cattle – iii) Sugar – iv) Slavery : More than in all other New World colonies combined

Latin American Independence IV. A New Brazil –B. The Seat of Empire : As Napoleon invades Portugal, the king moves the capital of his empire to Rio de Janeiro – i) Wealthy creoles gain economic privileges & advantages – ii) Gov’t gains structure & credibility

Latin American Independence IV. A New Brazil –C. Power Struggle : With Napoleon defeated, the king is pulled back to Portugal – i) Son Dom Pedro is left in charge of Brazil : New leaders demand that Dom Pedro also return to Europe – i) Creoles worry their power will be taken away

Latin American Independence IV. A New Brazil –D. Independence 2. O Grito do Ipiranga : Dom Pedro declares Brazil to be independent 3. Struggle – : Armies loyal to Dom Pedro fight to gain control of the country

Latin American Independence V. The Liberators –A. Simon Bolivar 1. Education : Coming from a wealthy Creole family, Bolivar is sent to Europe for his education – i) Exposed to ideas of Enlightenment & French Rev. – ii) Learns new military tactics – iii) Sees Napoleon’s coronation

Latin American Independence V. The Liberators –A. Simon Bolivar 2. Action – i) Leads uprising against Spanish gov’t in Venezuela – ii) As Spanish regroup in Colombia, Bolivar launches surprise attack coming down from the mountains into Bogota

Latin American Independence V. The Liberators –B. Jose de San Martin 1. Argentina : Despite being an officer in the Spanish Army, San Martin joins the fight to free his native country 2. Chile : San Martin daringly crosses the Andes to push the Spanish even further North

Latin American Independence V. The Liberators –C. Unity 1. Peru: After agreeing to fight together, the two generals join forces to attack the Spanish capital of Lima from two sides 2. Bolivia: San Martin turns his armies over to Bolivar, who pushes the Spanish out of South America completely with victory in Bolivia