1. Causes of the Revolutions of Latin America
Ch. 4 Sec 3

2. A. Social and Ethnic Structure
Peninsulares
Creoles
No rights
Mestizos
Mulattoes
Native Americans and Africans;
usually servants or slaves

3. Social and Ethnic Structure
Peninsulares: Spanish-born nobles. Held top gov’t/church jobs.
Creoles: Latin American-born descendants of Europeans. Most were landowners, but were still second class citizens.
Mulattoes: Mixed African and European.
Mestizos: Mixed Native American and European.

4. B. The Enlightenment
Wealthy creoles were educated in Europe, where they were inspired by the French Revolutions.
Had just seen North America win its independence from Britain.

5. C. Napoleon’s Invasion of Spain
In 1808, Napoleon overthrew the Spanish king and placed his own brother, Joseph (Jose) Bonaparte, on the Spanish throne.
Latin America saw this as a sign of weakness in Spain- so now was the time to take action for freedom.