INDEPENDENCE IN LATIN AMERICA

Social Classes in Colonial Latin America

Very strict class systemHighest Class - Peninsulares – these

were Europeans, born in Europe and educated in Europe

They were the viceroys and high government and church officials

Second Class – Criollos (Creoles) – these were the children of Europeans, BUT they were born and raised in Latin America.

They were wealthy and educated but they didn’t get the top jobs in government.

3rd Class – Mestizo – Far below the first two classes.

Mestizo were shop owners, farmers and overseers at mines

4th Class – Natives – Often raised crops on their own lands,

in their own villages.5th Class – Free Blacks

Became workers and laborersLowest Class – Slaves- They were sometimes allowed to buy

their own freedom

Peninsulares

Criollos (Creoles)

Mestizo

Natives

Free Blacks

Slaves

Which group do you think would not want

independence?Peninsulares

Does this class system still exist? Last 3 presidents of

Mexico

Ernesto Zedillo

Vincente Fox Felipe Calderon

Evo Morales - Bolivia

HAITI The first country to

gain independence Who did they get

independence from? FRANCEHow?

SLAVE REVOLT The revolution was led

by a slave… Toussant L’Overture In 1800 he kicked all

foreigners out of Haiti (Hispaniola)

Who was emperor of France at that time?Napoleon Bonaparte

The fight for Haiti In 1802 Napoleon sent

an army to Haiti. BUT, most of the army

died of yellow fever. They all ran away!! Napoleon was too busy

to care to send another army.

In 1804, Haiti declared independence!

Venezuela Who did they get

their independence from?

Spain How?

Simon Bolivar Simon Bolivar came from

a wealthy Creole family He was educated in

Europe after the French Revolution

In 1807 he joined revolutionaries in Venezuela

They got money and guns from Haiti

They finally won independence in 1816!

Mexico Who did they get their

independence from? Spain How?

Father Miguel Hidalgo He led a revolt

by natives and mestizo against the government

He was captured and executed in 1811

He is known as the Father of the Nation of Mexico

Mexico gains Independence

Other leaders kept up the fight.

Mexico got its independence in 1821

Declared itself a republic

Wrote a constitution in 1823

The States of the Mexican Republic

BrazilWho did they get their independence from?

PortugalHere’s the story…King John VI (the sixth) was the king of Portugal BUT, Napoleon was taking over Europe at that time.King John left Portugal and moved to his colony in Brazil to escape Napoleon

“Run away! Run

away!”

When Napoleon was gone (1821) King John returned to Portugal.

He left his son, Pedro in charge.

King John had advice for his son…

“If Brazil wants independence give

them independence, BUT make yourself

King of Brazil.”

So, Pedro becomes King of Brazil.”

It’s great to be the

king!

Pedro Accepts a ConstitutionPedro agreed to give the people of

Brazil a constitutionWhat did the constitution give them?

Most Brazilians got basic rightsThey set up an elected legislature

In 1889 Brazilians forced the king to step down.In 1889 Brazil declared itself a democratic republic.

Democratic Republic of Brazil