Latin American Revolution
Estrella Martinez, Maia Lewis
Where is Latin America?
Latin America is a region that includes countries all throughout South America ,excluding Guyana, Suriname, and also French Guiana. Some of the 33 countries that are in this region are Mexico,Venezuela, Brazil, Republic Dominican, Haiti, Chile, and Costa Rica.Latin America was colonized by countries such as Spain, Portugal and France.
What time period did the Latin American Revolution happen?
The Latin American Wars of Independence began in the late eighteenth to the nineteenth century. The first revolution of the Latin american wars of independence being the Haitian revolution, which began in 1791 and ended in January of 1804 Revolutionaries of this revolution were Creoles in South America, led by Simon Bolivar.
What were the influences of the Latin American revolutions?
The Latin American Wars of Independence were deeply influenced by the French revolutions and also the American revolution.
American revolution
What were the influences of the Latin American revolutions?
Another event that helped influence the revolutions was Napoleon's invasion of Spain. The invasion caused a six year war between Spain and France that destroyed Spain's economy and social system and changed their government. Since Spain was busy with France, they could not keep control over the colonies in Latin America. This inconvenience weakened Spain and influenced Latin Americans to take this opportunity to gain their independence.
What was happening during the this time period?
During the 1800s Spain had colonized the South, Central, and Northern parts of Latin America. The Spanish were exploiting the land of its natural resources, decimating native populations, and importing millions of black African slaves. There was also the revolutionary fervor that influenced enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality. With the influence of the French and American revolution and the need for change in Latin America this was the beginning of the Latin revolution.
The Types of People Involved
During this time Latin America was split into different classes. The highest being the peninsulares who were people born in Spain or Portugal. Then below them were the creoles who were people born in Latin America with ancestors from Europe. Below the creoles were the commoners including mestizos, mulattos, blacks, and indigenous people. The creoles often took the lead in gaining independence because the peninsulares held almost all the highest government offices and had control over the economy. The creoles resented them because of this.
The Revolutionaries Demands
The main revolutionaries, the creol, wanted to be free financially from the Spanish. Spain's administration controlled the creoles finances and put limitations on them. They also forced commercial monopoly systems which affected how items were priced. In 1809, when a huge drought hit, the creoles main source of food and money was destroyed. It caused a huge problem for Latin America and caused food prices to triple, unemployment and conflict between social classes.
The Revolutionaries Demands
With Latin America facing social and economic struggles the creoles decided to use this as their opportunity unite and help their country despite all the different social classes. Once Spain had turned their backs on the colonies because of their issue with Napoleon, all the social classes realized how unfair the society they lived in was. The Latin Americans took action and fought for a better economy and a society that satisfied everyone.
Key Player in the Revolution
A key player in the latin revolution was Simon Bolivar. He was a military and political leader who served in armies of various revolutionary regimes organized by himself from 1811 to 1830. These wars resulted in creating South American states that were former Spanish colonies. These states being what are now Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
The Spaniards Perspective and Where They Stood
The Spaniards were being invaded by French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Spain was struggling to keep control of the colonies in Latin America. They decided to split up the territories in Latin America into four viceroyalties so they could be administered better. The Viceroyalty of New Spain still controlled most of North America while the the viceroyalties controlled the South
What Happened During The Revolution
Simon Bolivar went to Venezuela in 1807 and joined the independence movement. Venezuela declared its independence many times and even established their own government. Unfortunately every time the crown regained control over Venezuela and other Latin American Colonies.
What Happened During The Revolution
In 1814, Bolivar had become Venezuela's main revolutionary leader. His army had battled the royalists plenty of times and realized he needed to switch battle grounds. The capital of the viceroyalty was in Columbia which is a neighbor of Venezuela. This created a perfect opportunity to surprise Spain.
What Happened During The Revolution
Simon Bolivar and his army crossed the Andes Mountains that separated Columbia and Venezuela. They did this at during the worst season through a path that everyone thought was impossible. By surprising the spaniards he freed Columbia. By taking down the capital he was also able to free Venezuela. Later on he continued to free the other viceroyalty in Peru and Bolivia
Were the Latin American revolutions successful?
The latin american revolutionaries won the revolutions and were able to win independence from colonists such as Spain, Portugal, and France.
Battle of Ayacucho
How Latin America Changed
After gaining independence, Latin America suffered a great economic change. Their independence caused in increase in poverty as confusion continued throughout the region. The wars had disrupted trade and devastated cities and countrysides.
What was the legacy of the Latin American wars of independence?
The Latin American Wars of Independence resulted in the creation of a number of independent countries in Latin America. Some of these countries in South America being Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
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