Nationalism and Independence in Latin America Global Studies

Early Struggles in Latin America By the early 1800s growing tensions among the different ethnic and social groups of Latin American society were leading to demands for change. The Enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions also inspired some in Latin America to seek greater Freedom.

Haiti Becomes Independent Haiti (formerly Saint Dominigue) was the first Latin American territory to break its ties with Europe. Sugar exports had made Haiti one of France’s richest possessions, but this prosperity was built on slave labor. Colonists were inspired by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen-which gave the right to vote to all free men, including mulatoes (people of mixed African and European Ancestry).

Toussaint L’Ouverture Toussaint L’Ouverture-a former enslaved African, led a group of Mulatoes against the French Settlers. L’Ouverture’s political and military actions made him a hero—and worried Napoleon of France. Napoleon sent French troops and there was a struggle for months—in the end there was an armistice (agreement to stop fighting). The French broke the agreement and sent Touissant to prison in France where he died. After Touissant died, the fighting continued. In 1804, Haiti declared independence from France.

The Colonies of Spain and Portugal In the 1700s, Spanish kings had made improvements in their colonies, building roads and regulating trade. As a result, the colonies grew in wealth—this created greater access to education and new ideas. As a result, educated colonists read the works of Enlightenment philosophers and learned about revolutions in America and France.

At the same time, tensions were growing between two Latin American groups: Creoles—people of European descent (heritage) born in the colonies Peninsulares—colonists who were born in Spain Creoles were excluded from the highest-level government or church positions, which were reserved for Peninsulares. The creoles and the peninsulares made up the highest social class—below them were people of mixed race, Africans, and Indians. The Creoles began to resent the Peninsulares. Some Creole revolutionaries decided the time was right to fight for independence.

Independence in Mexico Mexico was known as New Spain during this time. Mexico was a Spanish colony with a mixture of creoles, peninsulares, Indians, and people of mixed races. Father Hidalgo: A Creole priest who made the first public call for Mexican independence. Hidalgo had a history of challenging authority

Hidalgo was captured and executed On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo delivered a famous speech calling on peasants to fight for their independence against Spanish peninsulares in Mexico. Hidalgo was calling for the peasants to revolt against the peninsulares, not against Spain. Hidalgo was captured and executed

Morelos Continues the Revolution After the death of Hidalgo, Jose Maria Morelos, became the leader of the revolutionary movement. Morelos wanted all people born in Mexico, whether they were Indian, mixed race, or Creole, to be called Americans. Morelos also wanted Mexico to be an independent republic with guaranteed freedoms. Was a strong military leader but eventually was also captured: he was found guilty of treason and was executed.

A Creole Emperor for Mexico: Agustin de Iturbide Not all creoles in Mexico wanted independence from Spain In 1820, the Spanish authorities asked Iturbide to lead a final battle against the revolutionaries. This would end the Mexican independence movement for good. Iturbide decided to switch sides and fight for the Mexican revolutionaries.

Mexico would gain its independence but would be ruled by a monarch Iturbide proposed a three part plan to the leaders of the revolution: Mexico would gain its independence but would be ruled by a monarch Creoles and Peninsulares would have equal rights The Roman Catholic Church would be the official church of Mexico The compromise brought together many different groups and they won Mexico’s independence in 1821. Iturbide became Emperor of Mexico.

Revolutionary Leaders in South America The revolutions in Haiti and Mexico, as well as earlier revolutions in the United States and France, inspired leaders throughout South America. Simon Bolivar: Known as “the Liberator” The most influential leader in the South American independence movement While he was in Rome, he pledged to liberate South America

1811—Venezuela declared independence from Spain. Bolivar led military campaigns against Spanish forces defeating the Spanish in most of northern South America by 1821. Bolivar dreamed of forming one large, united country called the Federation of the Andes. This dream never became reality. In total, Bolivar helped bring independence to Venezuea, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador.

Jose de San Martin Fought for independence from Spain in the south while Bolivar fought in the North. Jose de San Martin returned home to Argentina when he learned that his country was rising up against Spanish rule. San Martin would lead the independence movement in not only Argentina, but in most of South America. Led troops over a 15,000 foot summit in the Andes Mountains, which surprised the Spanish troops and won independence for Chile.

Pedro I Napoleon invaded Portugal and the Portuguese monarch John VI and his family fled to the colony of Brazil. John the VI named the Brazilian cit of Rio de Janeiro as the capital of the entire Portuguese empire. The colony of Brazil was successful and allowed to trade directly with the rest of the world rather than through Portugal. The transition to independence happened more smoothly in Brazil than anywhere else in Latin America. In 1822, Prince Pedro simply declared Brazil independent; in return, Pedro was crowned Pedro I of Brazil.