1. Latin American Wars for Independence
Question: What long and short term factors caused the wars for independence in Latin America in the early 19th century (late 1700s and early 1800s)?

2. Western Hemisphere Colonies at
1763

3. Causes of the Latin American Movements for Independence
Long term causes
Short term causes
Creole class discontent
Limitations of Free Trade
Weak Gov’t and Military
Nationalism
Racism
Other successful Revolutions (American, French, Haitian)
“Trigger” >> Napoleon invades Spain

4. Why were different groups dissatisfied with colonialism?

5. Napoleon invades Spain “Spanish ulcer”—1808
Spanish govt, culture, and religion develops in Latin America colonization—16th -18th centuries
Spanish crown establishes political and economic authority in Latin America Bourbon Reforms—mid 18th century
Haitian Revolution >>Haiti is declared a Republic
Napoleon invades Spain “Spanish ulcer”—1808
Struggle for independence begins: factions develop in Latin America conservatives v liberals Creoles led movement—1810 – Why?
Restoration of the Crown in Spain : struggle for independence continues royalists vs. patriots King Ferdinand VII—

6. Latin American Revolutions
Toussaint L’Ouverture Leads a Revolution in Haiti (1804)

7. Latin American Revolutions
Simón Bolivar: The “Brains” of the Revolution
Creole leader of the revolutions in Venezuela.
Spent time in Europe and the newly-independent United States.

8. Latin American Revolutions
Jose de San Martin: The “Muscle” of the Revolution
Creole leader of the revolutions in Venezuela.
Spent time in Europe and the newly-independent United States.

9. Bolivar & San Martin Fight for Independence!

10. Does independence mean stability? Bolivar’s Accomplishment
Bolivar’s Failure
Bolivar’s Accomplishment
After uniting Venezuela, Colombia, & Ecuador into Gran Colombia, he left to help free the rest of Latin America.
He died a year later, with his goal of uniting all of South America unfulfilled.

11. Latin American States After the Revolutions

12. Evaluation of the Revolutions
By the mid-1820s, revolts create many newly-independent nations
No unity among the new nations
Wars brought more poverty
Individual revolutions differed in character and course, :. outcomes varied
Failure of Bolivar’s dream for a united South America:
Many newly independent countries struggle with civil wars.
By 1830s, geographic factors (mts., the Amazon, etc.) plus cultural differences defeated attempts at unification.
Gran Columbia.
United Provinces of Central America.
The wars disrupted trade.
The wars devastated the cities and the countryside.
WHO WERE THEY?:
Mid-19c dictators  military authoritarianism.
Mostly wealthy creole aristocrats.
Immediately followed the fight for independence.
Posed as reformers with goals to improve the economy and better the lives of the common people.
BUT…Overthrew governments and took away basic human rights.
Some attempted to make improvements, but most just cared about themselves and their families and friends [nepotism].
Power changes usually occurred at bayonet-point [coup d’etats!]

13. Immediate Political Outcomes
Independence from Spain
No immediate political stability
Legacy of military leadership left many nations under military dictatorships
Wealthy Creole “reformers” who took power through coup d’etats, took away basic human rights, engaged in nepotism
Failure of Bolivar’s dream for a united South America:
Many newly independent countries struggle with civil wars.
By 1830s, geographic factors (mts., the Amazon, etc.) plus cultural differences defeated attempts at unification.
Gran Columbia.
United Provinces of Central America.
The wars disrupted trade.
The wars devastated the cities and the countryside.
WHO WERE THEY?:
Mid-19c dictators  military authoritarianism.
Mostly wealthy creole aristocrats.
Immediately followed the fight for independence.
Posed as reformers with goals to improve the economy and better the lives of the common people.
BUT…Overthrew governments and took away basic human rights.
Some attempted to make improvements, but most just cared about themselves and their families and friends [nepotism].
Power changes usually occurred at bayonet-point [coup d’etats!]

14. What is the message of this political cartoon?
Does independence mean liberalism over conservativism?
What is the message of this political cartoon?

15. Does independence mean freedom from foreign control?

16. Immediate Socio-Economic Outcomes
Lingering institutions of slavery
Brazil (1888)
Persistence of racial inequalities, but measure of assimilation and social mobility
Destruction of colonial economic systems
Failure of Bolivar’s dream for a united South America:
Many newly independent countries struggle with civil wars.
By 1830s, geographic factors (mts., the Amazon, etc.) plus cultural differences defeated attempts at unification.
Gran Columbia.
United Provinces of Central America.
The wars disrupted trade.
The wars devastated the cities and the countryside.
WHO WERE THEY?:
Mid-19c dictators  military authoritarianism.
Mostly wealthy creole aristocrats.
Immediately followed the fight for independence.
Posed as reformers with goals to improve the economy and better the lives of the common people.
BUT…Overthrew governments and took away basic human rights.
Some attempted to make improvements, but most just cared about themselves and their families and friends [nepotism].
Power changes usually occurred at bayonet-point [coup d’etats!]

17. American colonies became Independent.
So, by 1825, most Latin
American colonies became
Independent.
What happened next? What were the long-term
effects?
To what extent were these Latin
American countries able to
establish Enlightenment ideas / Revolutionary goals
by the end of the 1800s / 1900?