Haitian and Latin American Independence Movements
Haiti Caribbean Island French Colony Plantation Economy Sugar plantations Slaves Primarily from Africa
Declaration of the Rights of Man 1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good. 2. The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
Haitian Independence Toussaint L’Overture leads rebellion against French planters Napoleon’s army fails to reconquer island Most die of disease Only successful slave rebellion in the Americas Second Republic in Americas (USA first) Haitians replace plantations with small farms Some trade with US, Britain Exported very little
Latin American Independence Motivated by success of United States/Haiti Led by upper class creoles Spanish Colonies benefited from turmoil in Europe (Napoleonic Wars)
Leaders Against Spain Simon Bolivar Jose de San Martin Miguel Hidalgo
Post War South America Huge gap between upper and lower classes Both economic and social United States had a large middle class Elites stay in power Difficult to establish stability Many devolved into dictatorships
Brazilian Independence Unique- very little bloodshed Had been elevated to a ‘kingdom’ with Pedro (son of Portuguese King) in charge “Kingdom” put Brazil on same level as Portugal Independence declared in 1822