The Latin American Wars of Independence

1798-1821

What is Latin America?

◼ Area Ruled mostly by Spain

◼ The People - Native Born - Mulattos -Creoles◼ Few rights for

anyone born in Latin America

◼ Leaders come from Spain or France

Outside Causes of Revolution

◼ Enlightenment◼ Revolutions in US

and France◼ Napoleonic Wars

-Focus was in Europe -Spain and Portugal both Occupied for a period of time

Haiti

◼ Island Nation in Caribbean

◼ French Controlled◼ Huge Slave

Population◼ Mulattos= No

Rights◼ Toussaint

L’Overture -Mulatto who read many Enlightenment works

Haiti Continued◼ L’Overture leads a

successful slave revolt in 1798

◼ Napoleon sends troops to take back Haiti in 1803

◼ Guerilla Warfare & Yellow Fever

◼ L’Overture is captured, but revolution continues

◼ Defeat of French Army◼ This will lead to the

Louisiana Purchase.◼ Haiti becomes republic in

1820

Spanish America

◼ Spread from Mexico to tip of South America

◼ Very few rights for native population

◼ Many unsuccessful scattered revolts

◼ Brutal Suppression◼ Very little unity

amongst areas

Simon Bolivar

◼ South American born General

◼ Will serve Spain against Napoleon

◼ Comes back to South America and takes over Independence movement

◼ “The Great Liberator”◼ Slowly pushes Spanish

out◼ Helped by Jose de San

Martin

Brazil

◼ Portuguese Colony◼ Portuguese Royal

family flees to Brazil when Napoleon takes over

◼ Family leaves, but one son remain behind

◼ Pedro I- declares Brazil an independent

◼ He rules as a monarch