Latin American Peoples Win Independence

1. Latin American Peoples Win Independence

2. Latin American Colonial Society • Class dictated people’s place in society and jobs. • Peninsulares- those born in Spain. • Creoles- Spaniards born in America. • Mestizos- persons of mixed European and Indian ancestry. • Mulattos- persons of mixed European and African ancestry. • Enslaved Africans • Indians

3. Revolutions in the Americas • Colonists excited over news of Revolutions in America and France. • Haiti is the first Latin American colony to free itself from European rule. • Toussaint L’Overture leads Haitian rebellion. • Freedom only lasted a year as the French sent in troops and removed Toussaint from power. • They accused him of inciting a rebellion and imprisoned him in the French Alps where he later died.

4. Spanish Colonial Culture • Controlled completely by social structure. • Where you fell on the social structure controlled how you could live your life. • In reality, only peninsulares and creoles had any rights.

5. Haitian Revolution vs. Other Revolutions • The Haitian Revolution was the only revolution led by slaves. • Interesting that it was the first successful one. • Why? • Motivation • Inability to maintain control

6. Mexican Independence • Ethnic and racial groups mix more freely in Mexico. • Indians and Mestizos play leading role • Miguel Hidalgo, a priest, calls for rebellion against the Spanish. • Hidalgo leads 80,000 peasants in an uprising that is stopped by the Spanish.

7. Mexican Independence • Morelos leads more attempts but is unsuccessful. • Creoles soon fear losing their power and join the lower classes in bring about Mexican independence in 1821