Latin American Independence

Napoleon: Europe Aflame

• A. Mixing of ideology and France’s drive for European Hegemony• • B. Napoleon’s invasion of the Iberian Peninsular• 1) 1805 -- Trafalgar Defeat convinced Spanish to explore

alliance with England. But, Spain reconsidered as Napoleon did better on continent• • 2) 1806 – Napoleon decided to unseat both Bourbons in Spain

and Braganzas in Portugal• • 3) 1807 – Arrived in Portugal but missed court• • 4) 1808 – took Charles IV and Ferdinand VII (son) into custody• • C. Spanish America’s Striking out for liberty initially directed against

Napoleon, not the King

Mexico’s War of Independence

A. Loyalists to Spanish king have upper hand initially B. Padre Hidalgo’s Revolt in 1810 C. Loyalists regain upper hand

D. Augustin Iturbide’s short lived empire (Augustin)E. Instability

Spanish South America • Simon Bolivar in the North

VenezuelaColombiaEcuador

• San Martin in the SouthArgentinaChile Peru

• Rivalry leads to delay in Peruvian independence

• Battle of Ayacucho (9 December, 1824)Jose Antonio Sucre defeats SpanishInfighting in Rio de la Plata leads to European exile for San Martin Bolivar commands the stage in Northern South America

Simon Bolivar & Gran Colombia • 1825-26 - Bolivar attempts to develop a powerful state comprised of

present-day Venezuela, Colombia & Ecuador

• Breakup of Gran ColombiaSatander in Colombia Paez in Caracas May 8, 1830, Bolivar died.

September --- Ecuador / Venezuela leave Gran Colombia

• 19th Century – Northern South America in chaos

Brazilian Independence

• Flight to Brazil

1807 --- French march on Lisbon British advise Joao to migrate to Brazil

In return for generous commercial privileges ---

British agreed to transport royal family to Brazil

Braganzas --- only European royal family to rule an empire from on of colonies --- only European monarchs to set foot on their American domains

Arrived in Rio de Janeiro (January 1808)

Life in Rio de Janeiro Changes

• Population 60,000 in 1808

24,000 Portugues eventually migrated • Institutions of learning established?• French culture – fine arts• First Newspapers• Royal government institutions established

Economic Changes

• Mercantilistic laws and regulations modified

• Trade changes immediately1808 --- 90 foreign ships in Rio1815 -- 217 1824 -- 354

Centralization of Power in Rio

• Proved powerful force for unification of Brazil1. 1815 --- Joao made Brazil a Kingdom

--- in theory equal to Portugal

2. Brazilian pride and national consciousness heightened

Political Separation

• 1821 Joao bid farewell to Rio

1. In Lisbon the liberals had brought Cortes into session2. Prince Pedro – took up duties of regent 3. Portuguese Cortes (parliament) attempts to reduce status of Brazil

Independence Early 1822 --- Cortes ordered Pedro to return home Under Masonic auspices --- petition circulated asking Pedro

to remain Rio --- Sao Paulo – Minas Gerias in alliance against Cortes Commander of Portuguese garrison forced to embark for

Lisbon Sept. 7, 1822 --- Cortes sent letter saying Pedro’s power

reduced Pedro --- “Independence or Death”