Latin America Peoples Win Independence

1. Latin America Peoples Win Independence PG. 681-686

2. Colonial Society Divide • At this time in Latin America, class dictates your place in society and jobs • Top of the class: Peninsulares (people born in Spain) • Creoles – Spainards born in Latin America. Could not hold high-level high office political jobs, but could rise as officers. • Mulattos: Persons mixed of European and African ancestry.

3. Revolutions in the Americas • By 1700s much of the Latin America was aware of the Enlightenment and news of the American/French Revolution encouraged them to gain freedom from their European Masters

4. Revolution in Haiti • Saint Dominigue (French colony) was the first to free itself from European Rule • 500,000 Africans worked on French plantations (outnumbered their masters) • Masters used brutal measures to keep them powerless – can you see a revolution coming? • August 1791 100,000 Africans revolt • Toussaint L’Ouverture becomes the leader of Haitian Revolution

5. Revoution in Haiti • January 1802, French troops arrive to take Touissant out. He states to end revolt, if France ends slavery • French agree, then accuse of planning another revolt – they seize him and send him to a prison in French Alps

6. Creoles Lead Independance • Creoles were often the most educated people within Latin society – often traveled to Europe for education • Study Enlightenment ideas and when they return to Latin American – bring revolutionary ideas with them • Napoleon’s victory over Spain in 1808 led to many revolts within Spanish colonies • ZERO loyalty to a French king

7. Creoles Land Independance • 1810, many rebellions occurred in Latin America – drive for independence has begun • The South American wars of independence rested on two main people: Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin

8. Bolivar’s Victory • Simon Bolivar, Venezuela, declared its independence from Spain in 1811 • He leads a volunteer army of revolutionaries suffered many defeats. Had to go into exile twice • Turning point: August 1819, Bolivar leads 2,000 soldiers going through the Andes and takes the Spanish army by surprise and wins • 1821, Bolivar won Venezuela’s independance

9. San Martin Leads Forces • San Martin, Argentina, declared independence in 1816, but Spanish forces in Chile and Peru still posed a threat • 1817, Martin leads an army across the Andes into Chile. He is joined by Bernardo O’Higgins and with his help he helps free Argentina from Chile

10. Mexico ends Spanish Rule • In 1810, Padre Miguel Hidalgo took the first step towards independence. • September 16, 1810 he rang church bells of his village church and told everyone to join him in a rebellion against the Spanish • Very next day, 80,000 men join him and march towards Mexico City

11. Mexico Ends Spanish Rule • Spanish forces defeat Hidalgo in 1811 • The rebels who followed Hidalgo, then follow Jose Maria Morelos – he leads the revolution for four years • He is then defeated by a Creole officer named Agustin de Iturbide • Iturbide declares Independence in 1821.