1. Independence in Latin America
Main Idea
Revolutionary ideas took hold in Latin America as colonies fought for independence from Europe.
Reading Focus
How did early struggles in Latin America affect Haiti and other colonies?
What events led to independence in Mexico?
Who were the key revolutionary leaders in South America, and what did they achieve?

2. Early Struggles in Latin America
The Enlightenment and the American and French revolutions inspired some in Latin America to seek greater freedom.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen gave vote to all free men, including mulattoes
French settlers on Saint Domingue resisted new law
Toussaint L’Ouverture led bloody revolt against settlers
Toussaint’s military, political actions made him hero in Hispaniola
Sent to prison in 1803
Haiti got independence in 1804
Toussaint L’Ouverture

3. Colonies of Spain and Portugal
Another Kind of Independence
1800s, Spain controlled most of Latin America; Portugal governed Brazil
In the 1700s Spanish kings had made improvements in colonies, building roads, regulating trade; colonies grew in wealth and prosperity
Education and New Ideas
Wealth gave some in Latin America access to education, new ideas
Educated colonists read works of Enlightenment philosophers, learned about revolutions in France, United States
Tensions Growing
Tensions grew in Latin America between creoles, people of European descent born in colonies, and peninsulares, colonists born in Spain
Similar distinction between Brazilian-born, Portuguese-born colonists

4. Creoles vs. Peninsulares
Growing Tensions
Creoles, peninsulares made up highest social class
People of mixed race, Africans, Indians lower on social scale
Creoles excluded from highest levels of government, church
As prosperity grew, creoles resented peninsulares, faraway Spanish rulers
Creoles vs. Peninsulares

5. Brazilian Independence
1807, French emperor Napoleon invaded Spain, Portugal
Spanish king imprisoned, Portuguese king fled to Brazil
Invasion weakened Spanish, Portuguese power in Latin America
Creole revolutionaries decided time right for fight for independence
John VI of Portugal

6. Pedro I Son Pedro in Charge
John VI named Rio de Janeiro capital of Portuguese empire
John VI returned to Portugal after revolution, 1820
Left son Pedro to rule Brazil
Transition happened smoothly, little violence
1822, Prince Pedro declared Brazil independent, was crowned Emperor Pedro I
Son Pedro in Charge

7. How did Haiti win independence from France?
Sequence
How did Haiti win independence from France?
Answer(s): A rebellion of slaves and mulattoes became a revolution against France after Napoleon tried to take power from the revolutionary leader Toussaint L'Ouverture.

8. Mexico (Spanish Colony)
Morelos Continues the Revolution
Jose Maria Morelos became leader of revolutionary movement
Organized Mexican congress, representatives from many places
Wanted all people born in Mexico, whether Indian, mixed or Creole, to be called Americans
Independent Republic
Morelos wanted Mexico to be an independent republic with guaranteed freedoms
Strong military leader, took control of parts of Mexico for independence movement
Captured, found guilty of treason, executed by Spanish authorities

9. A Creole King for Mexico
Iturbide to Lead Fight
Not all creoles wanted independence from Spain; some were royalists
1820, Agustin de Iturbide asked to lead final battle against revolutionaries
Spanish authorities believed he could end Mexican independence movement
Switching Sides
Iturbide believed liberal revolution underway in Spain might take away some of his power; decided to switch sides, fight for Mexican revolutionaries
Made three-part proposal to leader of revolution
Iturbide’s Proposal
Mexico would gain independence but be ruled by monarch
Creoles and peninsulares would have equal rights
Roman Catholic Church would be official church of Mexico

10. Different Proposal Independence
Iturbide’s independence proposal different from ideas of Hidalgo, Morelos
After ten years of fighting, the compromise brought together many different groups; creoles and peninsulares, revolutionaries and royalists
Independence
Unified under plan, royalists and rebel troops joined Iturbide to win independence
In 1821, Mexico declared independence from Spain
That same year Mexico named Iturbide as its emperor and he became Emperor Agustin I of Mexico

13. Revolutionary Leaders in South America
Inspiration
Revolutions in Haiti, Mexico, America, France inspired leaders in South America
Independence movements began to form, leaders emerged
Simon Bolivar
Simon Bolivar, most influential leader in South American independence movement
Known as “the Liberator”

14. Venezuelan Roots
Bolivar born into wealthy creole family, often traveled to Europe
Admired Napoleon’s leadership; in Rome, pledged to liberate South America
Independence
1811, Venezuela declared independence from Spain
Bolivar led military campaigns against Spanish for 10 years, defeated Spanish 1821

15. Bolivar’s Dream Bolivar had dream for newly independent South America
Wanted to form one large, united country called Federation of the Andes
Dream never became reality
Bolivar set up state of Gran Colombia, included what are now Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador
Other leaders set up separate countries in Peru, Bolivia, other places
Bolivar complained “America is ungovernable”

16. José de San Martin Chile Gran Colombia
José de San Martin fought for independence from Spain in south
San Martin had fought against Napoleon in Spain
Born in Argentina, returned home when he learned country rising up against Spanish rule; eventually led independence movement in Argentina and most of southern South America
1816, San Martin declared independence for Argentina, moved on to Chile
Led troops over 15,000 foot summit in Andes
Surprised Spanish troops, won independence for Chile
Chile
After Chile, San Martin moved to Gran Colombia, met Simon Bolivar
Historians do not know what they discussed when they met
San Martin resigned position after meeting, returned to Europe
Left Bolivar in power
Gran Colombia