Revolutions in Latin America Between 1803 and 1825 as series of revolutions would sweep through Latin America. These revolutions would cause Spain to lose almost all of her colonies and completely drive the Spanish out of the New World.

Saint-Domingue was a French plantation colony in the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola. Slaves, free blacks, and mulattos, people of mixed European and African ancestry, were the majority of people, but did not have the same rights as the minority white population. In 1791 they revolted against the French colonists. Toussaint L’Ouverture became the leader of the rebels in 1801 and defeated the French. They declared their independence from France in 1804, becoming the nation of Haiti. Revolutions in Latin America

Causes of Revolutions People in the Spanish colonies in the Western Hemisphere did not like the way Spain ruled them. They wanted to become independent from Spain. 1)The people were inspired by the successful revolutions in America, France, and Haiti. 2)Spanish mercantilist policy required that the colonies had to buy manufactured goods only from Spain and sell colonial exports only to Spain. This drained the colonies of the wealth that went to Spain, but did little to help the colonies. 3) Unequal distribution of wealth and power among Latin Americans. Peninsulares or people born in Spain, controlled all the important political and military positions. Creoles, people born in the colonies of Spanish parents, tended to be the wealthy landowners, mine owners, and business owners. power. Mestizos, children of Spanish and Indians parents usually worked in towns or as overseers on the big estates. Both groups wanted a share of political. Indians, blacks, and Mulattos, or people of mixed African and European descent, worked on the great farms and in the mines. They did not own land and lived in complete poverty. They had no chance to hold power.

Revolutions in Latin America – The French army under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Spain. Napoleon’s brother becomes King of Spain. Latin American colonists, led by the Creoles refuse to accept French rule and revolt. After the Spanish king is put back on the throne in 1814, the revolutions continue. The colonists refuse to return to the old ways. They want independence. REFLECTION The Creoles were the wealthiest and best educated Spanish colonists. They had more privileges and a much better life than any other colonial group. Why would they have the strongest desire for revolution?

MEXICO 1810 – A village priest, Miguel Hidalgo led Indians in an uprising against Spanish rule. Hidalgo and his rebels killed both Peninsulare and Criollo men, women, and children. They were defeated in January, Hidalgo was executed by firing squad, but the revolution in Mexico continued Revolutions in Latin America Hidalgo’s head was cut off after he was executed. It was displayed on a spike outside the city for 10 years as a warning to other would be revolutionaries.

Jose Maria Morelos – a priest who had trained under Hidalgo, Morelos joined the revolution in 1811 A true man of the people, charismatic and devout. He had a constructive vision and belief in a better tomorrow with equality for all Mexicans. He became the leader of the revolution after the death of Hidalgo Morelos fought for independence from Spain, equal rights for all Mexicans, and the continued privilege of the Catholic Church in Mexican affairs. Morelos was a good guerilla leader, preferring a small, well trained army, rather than the large, massed rabble of Hidalgo. He was defeated and captured by Spanish forces in 1814 and executed. Revolutions in Latin America A true man of the people, Morelos is greatly honored today in Mexico. The State of Morelos and City of Morelia are named after him, as are a major stadium, and countless streets and parks. He has appeared on several bills and coins over Mexico's history has

After the death of Morelos, the independence movement continued in Mexico – Creole soldiers overthrow the royalist Spanish government and declared a constitutional monarchy – Mexico declares itself a republic. Revolutions in Latin America

SIMON BOLIVAR The revolution in Venezuela is lead by Simon Bolivar. Bolivar is a wealthy Venezuelan aristocrat, educated in Europe. Bolivar is heavily influenced by the ideas of the enlightenment – Spanish forces retake Venezuela and Bolivar flees to Columbia. Between 1819 and 1825, Bolivar successfully led revolutions to drive the Spanish from Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and southern Peru, where he established the nation of Bolivia. Bolivar had hoped to unite all the Latin American countries in a republic like that of the United States of America, but was unsuccessful, leading to years of political instability across South America Revolutions in Latin America El Libertador

ARGENTINA, CHILE, & PERU 1810 – 1818 Argentina fights for its independence from Spain. One of the military leaders of the Argentine rebels is Jose de San Martin. San Martin is a Criollo officer who had served with distinction in the Spanish army during the wars against Napoleon. He is heavily influenced by the ideas of the enlightenment – San Martin leads his army over the Andes and drives the Spanish from Chile. He then led his troops by sea to Peru, freeing northern Peru from Spanish rule in Revolutions in Latin America

BRAZIL 1807 – The Portuguese King, fleeing Napoleon’s invading French army flees with his court to Brazil. He rules Portugal in exile from Brazil. During this period, Brazil becomes stronger than the mother country Portugal – The King returns to Portugal leaving his son Dom Pedro in charge of Brazil – In a peaceful revolution, he declares himself Dom Pedro I, Emperor of an independent Brazil. Revolutions in Latin America Prince Pedro declares Brazil independent from Portugal in Sao Paulo on September 7, 1822.

Time to Think Answer the following in complete sentences. 1.How did the European wars of Napoleon Bonaparte have an influence on the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the New World? 2.How did the ideas of the enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions influence the people of Latin America?