Latin American Wars of Independence Sources of Discontent Revolutionary fever gripped Western Europe, spreading to Latin America by the late 1700s. For 300 years the Spanish had ruled Latin America. Discontent was rooted in the social, racial, and political system that had emerged under Spanish rule.

Ethnic and Social Hierarchy Spanish born peninsulares dominated the Latin American political and social life; they were the only people who could hold top jobs in government and the church. Creoles owned haciendas, ranches, and mines. They also bitterly resented their second class status. The mestizos and mulattoes resented their lack of political power.

Mulattoes were angry at being denied the status, wealth, and power that was available to whites. Native Americans suffered economic misery under the Spanish, who had conquered the lands of their ancestors.

Enlightenment Ideas In the 1700s, educated creoles read the works of Enlightenment thinkers. Translations of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States circulated among the creole elite. Women actively participated in the exchange of ideas and attended salons called tertulias where independence and revolution were discussed. Simon Bolivar was a Creole who traveled to Europe and was inspired by liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808 sparked wide- spread rebellion in Latin America. Napoleon gave his brother Joseph the Spanish throne causing much confusion and unrest in Spain Latin American leaders saw Spain’s weakness as an opportunity to reject foreign domination and demand independence from colonial rule.

Latin American Revolutionaries Simon Bolivar – Led most of Latin America in it’s struggle for independence from Spain – Bolivia is named after him Jose de San Martin – Joined forces with Bolivar to free Argentina and Chile

Toussaint L’Ouverture – Leader of Haitian Revolution- Independence from France Tupac Amaru – Incan resistance fighter killed in Peru’s struggle for independence

Once independence was achieved the creoles, white leaders of the revolt, dominated the government. (Remember “More often than not, revolutions are perverted by the very leaders that start them…Throughout history, revolution after revolution ends by devouring its own children.”

Independence, but not Unity Physical geography prevented a unified Latin America Ethnic, racial, and class divisions remained