Latin America is a geographic and cultural region located in parts of North and South America where the Romance languages are spoken. (Those derived from Latin – primarily Spanish, Portuguese, and French.)

Spain and Portugal colonized the majority of Latin America.

Peninsulares =Spanish born in Spain Creoles= Spanish born in Latin America Mestizos=European/Indian Mulattos=European/African Africans=Most were enslaved Indians=Free

 The influence of the American and French Revolutions  Inequality in Latin America  Enlightenment Ideas (Freedom and Equality)  Napoleon’s invasion of Spain and Portugal

 French colony used for producing sugar  Located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea  Population - 500,000 enslaved Africans  1791 – Priest Boukman called for revolt  Toussaint L’ouverture important general  Jean Jacques Dessalines declares independence in 1804  Haiti is the first Black colony to free itself from European control

Padre Miguel Hidalgo called for a revolt on Sept.16, (Now celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day)

Agustin Iturbide, a creole, takes the lead when a liberal government in Spain threatens to end creole privileges in the Spanish colonies.

Brazil’ revolution was bloodless. Brazilians signed a petition to have Dom Pedro, (King John’s son) become their king/emperor.

 Increased poverty  Trade and cities disrupted by warfare  Some countries break up into smaller countries (Gran Colombia breaks up and becomes Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador; United Provinces of Central America also breaks up into El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras.)