Independence and the Spread of Democracy

Independence in Mexico

One type of revolution is a political movement in which the people overthrow a government and set up another. For example, the 13 colonies freed themselves from British rule. These actions inspired the people of Haiti and people across Latin America.

A criollo had Spanish parents, but had been born in Latin America. Criollos often were the wealthiest and best-educated people in the Spanish colonies but few criollos had political power because only people born in Spain could hold government office.

The Cry of Dolores

Mexico began its struggle for self-government in 1810. Miguel Hidalgo led the way. He was a criollo priest in the town of Dolores. He planned to begin a revolution. A huge crowd arrived and he said “Recover from the hated Spainards the land stolen from your forefathers.” Hidalgo’s call for revolution became known as the “Cry of Dolores.” It attracted some 80,000 fighters in a matter of weeks, mostly mestizos and Native Americans. Hidalgo tried to flee the country but was captured. He was tried, convicted of treason, and executed in July 1811.

Independence Finally Comes

Small rebel groups kept fighting. Then Agustin de Iturbide joined the rebels. He was a high ranking officer in the Spanish army. Many people who had opposed the rebellion felt they could trust Iturbide to protect their interests. They decided to support the rebellion and in 1821, Iturbide defeated the Spanish and declared Mexico independent.

South American Independence

Simon Bolivar almost certainly was the greatest Latin American revolutionary leader. Bolivar joined the fight for Venezuelan independence in 1804. Six years later he became leader. Bolivar’s troops had freed a large area from Spanish rule (the future countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.)

Jose de San Martin, an Argentine, had lived in Spain and served in the Spanish army. In 1817, he led his soldiers through the high passes in the Andes into Chile. San Martin declared Chile’s independence, then he turned his attention to Peru. With Bolivars help they declared Peru independence. By 1825 only Cuba and Puerto Rico were still ruled by Spain.

Brazil takes a different route to Freedom

In the early 1800s French armies invaded Spain and Portugal. Portugal’s royal family fled to Brazil for safety. The king returned to Portugal in 1821, and left his son, Dom Pedro, to rule the colony. Dom Pedro declared Brazil independent in 1822. Three years later, Portugal quietly admitted that Brazil was independent.

Challenges of Independence

After winning independence from Europe, Latin American leaders faced hard challenges and had to decide how to govern their nations. Bolivar set the standard for Latin American leaders, most of whom were caudillos. Unlike Bolivar most caudillos just wanted to stay in power and get rich.

Economic Issues

In the 1900s, many foreign companies invested in Latin America. As a result, foreign companies became powerful in Latin American economies. To improve their economies, Latin American countries built their own factories to make goods and began to grow different kinds of crops to develop their resources. By th 1970s Latin American economies improved.

Today, Latin American countries continue to expand their economies. Foreign companies still invest in Latin America, but most Latin American countries limit how investments can be made. Latin American countries are also cooperating with one another and trading for a variety of different products.