Revolts in Latin America Notes

Discontent Fans the Fires

1. Social and Ethnic Structures Cause Resentment
By the late 1700s, the revolutionary fever that gripped
Western Europe spread to Latin America.
Discontent was rooted in the social, racial, and political
system that emerged during 300 years of Spanish rule.
Peninsulares- people born
in Spain; highest social
class; top jobs in society
Creoles- American-born
descendants of Spanish
settlers; owned most of the
plantations, ranches, and
mines
Mestizos- people of Native
American and European
descent
Mulattoes- people of African
and European descent
2. The Enlightenment Inspires Latin Americans
Young creoles were inspired by the ideas of the
Enlightenment and revolutions in other lands
but despite their admiration they were reluctant to act
Simon Bolivar- young creole; lived in Venezuela and
traveled in Europe and was inspired by the ideas of
liberty, equality, and fraternity.
3. Napoleon Invades Spain
Where did creoles get many of their revolutionary
ideas?
Works of the Enlightenment thinkers. American and
French revolutions and the democratic ideals of those
nations.

Slaves Win Freedom for Haiti

1. Toussaint LOuverture Leads a Slave Revolt
The island of Hispaniola(Haiti) was ruled by the French.
Planters owned very profitable sugar plantations
worked by nearly half a million enslaved Africans.
In 1791, embittered by suffering and inspired by ideas
of liberty and equality, the islands slaves rose up in
revolt.
Toussaint LOuverture- self-educated former slave and a
brilliant general and inspiring commander. Led former
slaves to rebel on the French-ruled island of Hispaniola.

By 1798, the rebels achieved their goals

a. Slavery was abolished
b. Toussaints forces controlled most of the island
2. Haiti Wins Independence
How? In 1803 rebels force the French army, decimated
by yellow fever to surrender
In January 1804, the island declared itself to be an
independent country under the name Haiti
Finally in 1820, Haiti becomes a republic
How were slaves instrumental in achieving Haitis
independence?
The slaves fought and defeated, the local white
planters and troops of the French monarchy, a
Spanish invasion, a British expeditionary force,
and, in the end, the supposedly invincible army of
Napoleon Bonaparte.

Mexico and Central America Revolt

1. Father Hidalgo Cries Out for Reform
Father Miguel Hidalgo- Creole priest who raised his
voice for freedom and called Mexicans to fight for
independence.

 Hidalgo called for a. an end to slavery

and b. improved conditions for Native Americans
Creoles felt these policies would cost them power
Hidalgo was eventually captured and executed
2. Jos Morelos Continues the Fight
Father Jose Morelos- Mestizo priest who wanted to
improve conditions for Mexicans, abolish slavery, and
give all men the right to vote.
For four years Morelos led rebel forces before he, too,
was captured and shot in 1815.
3. Mexico Wins Independence
Agustin de Iturbide- Mexican creole,
spent years fighting revolutionaries
but in 1821 joined them in the fight
Backed by creoles, mestizos, and
Native Americans he overthrew the
Spanish viceroy.
Mexico gained independence
4. New Republics Emerge in Central America
Spanish-ruled lands declared independence in the early
1820s.
Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and
Costa Rica all became independent republics.
How did events in Spain affect the fight for Mexican
independence?
French revolution and Napoleonic wars diverted attention
of Spain from its colonies abroad. The king issued a
constitution, which caused a feeling of nationalism.

Revolution Ignites South America

1. Bolvar Begins the Fight

 In 1819, Bolivar led an army to attack the Spanish at

Bogota, Colombia.
Other victories followed. By 1821, Bolivar succeeded in
freeing Venezuela and eventually Peru, Ecuador, and
Bolivia
From that point on Bolivar was referred to as
The Liberator
2. San Martn Joins the Fight
Jose San Martn- Creole general who helped Argentina
gain freedom from Spain. Then joined Bolivar to lead
several other South American countries to freedom.

By 1824, the new nation of Gran Colombia was free.

However, rivalries turned to civil war and it split into
Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

3. Freedom Leads to Power Struggles

Bolivar is left disappointed because
Gran Colombia split and there were civil wars over
struggles for power. South Americans simply
changed one set of masters for another.
4. Brazil Gains Independence
Dom PedroA member of the Portuguese royal family, who
ruled Brazil and declared it independent in 1822.
He accepted a constitution that provided for the
freedom of press, religion, and an elected
legislature
Brazil remained a monarchy until 1889.
How were the goals of the South American
revolutions different from their results?
They gained independence from Europe, but
they fail to address any of the social class
problems that exist.