: An Age of Revolutions Latin American Independence Movements

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

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 (too-SAN loo-vehr-TOOR) 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 ,000 slaves in revolt.

By 1801, L’Ouverture moved into Spanish Santo Domingo (the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispanola), took control of territory and freed slaves. In January 1802, French troops landed. Toussaint agreed to an end of 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.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines Toussaint’s general. Took up the fight. Jan 1, declared an independent country. First black colony to free itself from European control. He called it Haiti, “mountainous land,” in the language of the native Arawak inhabitants. Became first emperor of Haiti; later assassinated in a revolt. 1820: Haiti became an independent republic

Spanish Colonies Revolutions against Spanish Rule

Latin American social classes Peninsulares - men born in Spain –held highest offices Creoles - Spaniards born in Latin America –officers in army, but not in government –often resented power of the peninsulares Mestizos - mixed European and Indian Mulattos - mixed European and African Indians

European Background: Napoleon Napoleon invaded Spain in Removed Spain’s King Ferdinand VII and made Joseph (Nap’s brother) king of Spain. Creoles used it as a reason for revolution rebellion across Latin America. 1814, Napoleon defeated and Ferdinand returned to power, but creoles cont’d their movement.

Francisco Goya, Executions of May 3, 1808

Simon Bolivar Wealthy Venezuelan creole. “The Liberator”

Venezuelan Independence, 1821 Venezuela declared independence, Bolivar’s armies unsuccessful at first. 1819: Bolivar marched armies over Andes into today’s Colombia, defeated Spanish army. 1821: Venezuelan independence. Marched north to Ecuador to meet Jose de San Martin.

Simple, modest man. Born in Argentina, spent time in Spain as military officer. Jose de San Martin

Lima, Peru

Argentina declared independence in San Martin led army across Andes to Chile, joined by Bernardo O’Higgins, and freed Chile. Ecuador, 1822: San Martin met with Bolivar to decide how to remove remaining Spanish forces in Lima, Peru. Argentinean Independence

San Martin sailed for Europe and died on French soil in Dec 9, 1824, Bolivar defeated Spanish at Battle of Ayacucho.

Bolivar San Martin

Bolivar’s vision of a united South America.Bolivar’s vision of a united South America. Present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.Present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama. Short-lived due to dissension amongst various factions.Short-lived due to dissension amongst various factions. Bolivar resigned in 1828.Bolivar resigned in In 1830, Bolivar’s Gran Colombia divided into Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Panama later split from Colombia with US assistance, Gran Colombia,

Mexico Indians and mestizos, not creoles, played the key role in independence movements. Creoles sided with Spain to avoid violence of lower-class rebellions (until 1820).

Miguel Hidalgo A village priest, believed in Enlightenment ideals. 1810, called for revolution. –Grito de Dolores (call for revolution) Hidalgo’s Indian and mestizo followers marched to Mexico City. Spanish army and creoles acted against Hidalgo and defeated him in 1811.

Jose Maria Morelos Took leadership after Hidalgo’s defeat. Defeated by creoles.

Mexican Independence, revolution in Spain put a liberal government in power. Mexican creoles feared loss of influence, so they united against Spain. Agustin Iturbide declared himself emperor, but was overthrown. 1824: Establishment of the Mexican Republic.