Latin American Revolutions

Ms. HuntUnit 3

RMS IB 2014-2015

Revolutions in Latin America

1791-1825- Between 1803 and 1825 a series of revolutions would sweep through Latin America. - Result- Spain to lose almost all colonies and completely drive the Spanish out of the New World

Revolutions in Latin AmericaCauses of Revolutions

People in the Spanish colonies in the Western Hemisphere did not like the way Spain ruled them. They wanted to become independent from Spain.

1) Inspired by the successful revolutions in America and France.

2) Spanish mercantilist policy - required that the colonies had to

buy manufactured goods only from Spain and sell colonial exports only to Spain.

- Result- drained the colonies of the wealth that went to Spain

3) Unequal distribution of wealth and power among Latin Americans.

- Remember the Encomienda System!- Peninsulares or people born in Spain,

controlled all the important political and military positions.

- Creoles, people born in the colonies of Spanish parents, tended to be the wealthy landowners, mine owners, and business owners.

- Mestizos, children of Spanish and Indians parents usually worked in towns or as overseers on the big estates.

- Indians, blacks, and Mulattos, or people of mixed African and European descent, worked on the great farms and in the mines. They did not own land and lived in complete poverty. They had no chance to hold power.

The Beginning of Revolutions Against Spain

• 1808 – The French army under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Spain. – Napoleon’s brother becomes King

of Spain.

• Latin American colonists, led by the Creoles refuse to accept French rule and revolt.

• Spanish king is put back on the throne in 1814, the revolutions continue.– The colonists refuse to return to

the old ways. They want independence.

REFLECTIONThe Creoles were the wealthiest and best educated Spanish colonists. They had more privileges and a much better life than any other colonial group. Why would they have the strongest desire for revolution?

• Saint-Domingue - French plantation colony in the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola.

• Population - Slaves, free blacks, and mulattos, people of mixed European and African ancestry– did not have the same rights as the

minority white population• 1791 the people revolted against the

French colonists.• Toussaint L’Ouverture - leader of the

rebels in 1801 and defeated the French• Declared their independence from

France in 1804– Result- Creation of the nation of Haiti

Revolution in Haiti

Revolution in Mexico • 810 – A village priest,

Miguel Hidalgo led Indians in an uprising against Spanish rule. – Hidalgo and his rebels killed

both Peninsulare and Criollo men, women, and children.

– They were defeated in January 1811.

• Hidalgo was executed by firing squad, but the revolution in Mexico continued

• Jose Maria Morelos – a priest who had trained under Hidalgo– joined the revolution in 1811 – A true man of the people, charismatic and

devout. – Constructive vision and belief in a better

tomorrow with equality for all Mexicans.

• He became the leader of the revolution after the death of Hidalgo

• Fought for:– independence from Spain– equal rights for all Mexicans– continued privilege of the Catholic Church in

Mexican affairs.

• Used guerilla military tactics• He was defeated and captured by Spanish

forces in 1814 and executed. Special Note- A true man of the people, Morelos is

greatly honored today in Mexico. The State of Morelos and City of Morelia are named after him, as are a major stadium, and countless streets and parks. He has appeared on several bills and coins over Mexico's history has

Revolution in Mexico Continued

• After the death of Morelos, the independence movement continued in Mexico.

• 1821 – Creole soldiers overthrow the royalist Spanish government and declared a constitutional monarchy.

• 1824 – Mexico declares itself a republic.

End of the Mexican Revolution

• 1808-1811 - lead by Simon Bolivar.– Bolivar is a wealthy Venezuelan aristocrat, educated

in Europe. – Heavily influenced by the ideas of the enlightenment.– Referred to as El Libertador

• 1812 – Spanish forces retake Venezuela and Bolivar flees to Columbia.

• Between 1819 and 1825, Bolivar successfully led revolutions to drive the Spanish from:– Columbia– Venezuela– Ecuador– southern Peru- where he established the nation of

Bolivia.

• Bolivar had hoped to unite all the Latin American countries in a republic like that of the United States of America– Was unsuccessful, leading to years of political

instability across South America

Revolution in Venezuela

1810 – 1818 - Argentina fights for its independence from Spain.

Military leader- Jose de San Martin.- Criollo officer who had - Served in the Spanish army during

the wars against Napoleon- Heavily influenced by the ideas of

the enlightenment. 1818 – San Martin leads his army over

the Andes and drives the Spanish from Chile.

- Led his troops by sea to Peru, freeing northern Peru from Spanish rule in 1822.

Revolutions in Argentina, Chile, and Peru

1807 – The Portuguese King, fleeing Napoleon’s invading French army flees with his court to Brazil. - He rules Portugal in exile from Brazil.

• During this period, Brazil becomes stronger than the mother country Portugal.

• 1821 – The King returns to Portugal leaving his son Don Pedro in charge of Brazil.

• 1822 – In a peaceful revolution, he declares himself Don Pedro I, Emperor of an independent Brazil.

Revolution in Brazil

Prince Pedro declares Brazil independent from Portugal in Sao Paulo on September 7, 1822.

Turn and TalkAnswer the following in complete sentences.1. How did the European wars of Napoleon

Bonaparte have an influence on the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the New World?

2. How did the ideas of the enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions influence the people of Latin America?

Latin American Revolutions Graphic Organizer

• Required Materials- Graphic Organizer, coloring and writing utensils

• Complete the graphic organizer as outlined on your worksheet.

• Be sure to be colorful, correct and creative!• Gluing directions:– Guided Notes- Latin American Revolutions– Latin American Revolutions Graphic Organizer