1750-1914: An Age of Revolutions Latin American Independence Movements

Focus Questions What caused discontent in Latin America? How did Haitians, Mexicans, and people in Central America win independence? How did nations of South America win independence?

Background Indigenous peoples and civilizations Maya, Aztec, Inca European Colonization, 1500s Spain, Portugal, France American Revolution, 1776 French Revolution and Enlightenment, 1789 Napoleon’s conquests within Europe, 1800s

Latin American Independence Movements, 18th & 19th C.

Struggles for Independence HAITI MEXICO CENTRAL AMERICA In 1791, Toussaint L’Ouverture led slaves in revolt. By 1798, enslaved Haitians had been freed. In 1802, Napoleon sent an army to recapture Haiti. Napoleon’s forces agreed to a truce, or temporary peace. In 1804, Haitian leaders declared independence. Father Miguel Hidalgo and José Morales led popular revolts. Rebels led by Agustín de Iturbide overthrew the Spanish viceroy, creating an independent Mexico. Iturbide took the title of emperor, but was quickly overthrown. Liberal Mexicans set up the Republic of Mexico. Spanish-ruled lands declared their independence in the early 1820s. Local leaders set up the United Provinces of Central America. The union soon fragmented into separate republics of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

French colonies: Revolution in Haiti Saint Domingue, now known as Haiti Western third of island of Hispanola in Caribbean Sea. Plantation slavery, sugar

Toussaint L’Ouverture Former slave, self-educated Untrained in military and political matters, but became a skilled general and diplomat Took leadership of a slave revolt that broke out in 1791. 100,000 slaves in revolt

By 1801, L’Ouverture took control of territory and freed slaves In January 1802, French troops landed Toussaint agreed to end the fighting if the French would end slavery French accused him of planning another uprising Sent him to a prison in the French Alps He died 10 months later, April 1803

Dictators in Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia Late 19th century Trends: Strongman Rule, Liberalism, commercial development Dictators in Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia Caudillo = strongman leader Relied on force outlawed opposition, regulated schools and newspapers used jails, police and firing squads often corrupt sometimes supported liberal policies Liberal governments return to power Even strongmen often supported “liberal” policies regular elections, but with restricted voting rights (oligarchic democracies)

Trend towards Commercial Development Mining Estate agriculture (Shift from plantation) Extension of road and rail networks. Foreign investment. Immigration. End of slavery in 1880s Leads to new demand for labor Argentina’s policies encouraging immigration led to 3/4 of the pop foreign-born.

Results of Latin American Independence Movements Political/Social: Continued battles between liberals, conservatives and the military over how to best rule. Tensions between articulate political forces and the separate masses. Economic: Unable to free itself from dependence on Western-controlled economic patterns. Cultural/intelligent: Distinct cultural entity combination of Western styles and values plus its racial diversity, colonial past, and social structure of a semi-colonial economy.

Independence Movements in Latin America Long-Term Causes Immediate Causes European domination of Latin America Spread of Enlightenment ideas American and French revolutions Growth of nationalism in Latin America People of Latin America resent colonial rule and social injustices Revolutionary leaders emerge Napoleon invades Spain and ousts Spanish king Immediate Effects Long-Term Effects Toussaint L‘Ouverture leads slave revolt in Haiti Bolívar, San Martín, and others lead successful revolts in Latin America Colonial rule ends in much of Latin America Attempts made to rebuild economies 18 separate republics set up Continuing efforts to achieve stable democratic governments and to gain economic independence