At the end of the 17th century, Spain became a declining empire with diminishing revenues and loss of both political and military influence -- especially against other rising powers such as Britain. The Bourbon Reforms (1747-1808) changed the colonial system in the Americas to that of an intendancy. These reforms were directed to increase tax revenues, but became very unpopular among the colonies as most intendants were peninsulares, or people born in Spain.
This power shift increased unrest among criollos, or people of Spanish ancestry who were born in the Americas, who ultimately attained the support of both Amerindians and mestizos (descendants of interracial marriages between Europeans and Native Americans) to wage war against Spanish rule. In Mexico and Central America, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo (1753-1811) is considered the starter of such movement, while the South American war of independence was won by liberators Jose de San Martin (1778-1850) and Simon Bolivar (1783-1830).
When Napoleon's Army invaded both Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular Wars (1807-1814), most criollos saw the opportunity to secede from the Spanish Empire. By 1825 most of Latin America became independent, with only some last bastions in Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina still being loyal to the Spanish Crown. By 1833 even these were defeated, and all attempts of reconquest by Spain had been already thwarted. Finally, in 1836 the Spanish government renounced to the sovereignty over continental America, with the exception of Cuba an Puerto Rico, which were lost during the Spanish-American War (1898).
At the end of the 17th century, Spain became a declining empire with diminishing revenues and loss of both political and military influence -- especially against other rising powers such as France and Britain. The Bourbon Reforms (1747-1808) changed the colonial system in the Americas to that of an intendancy. These reforms were directed to increase tax revenues, but became very unpopular among the colonies as most intendants were peninsulares, or people born in Spain.
This power shift increased unrest among criollos, or people of Spanish ancestry who were born in the Americas, who ultimately attained the support of both Amerindians and mestizos (descendants of interracial marriages between Europeans and Native Americans) to wage war against Spanish rule. In Mexico and Central America, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo (1753-1811) is considered the starter of such movement, while the South American war of independence was won by liberators Jose de San Martin (1778-1850) and Simon Bolivar (1783-1830).
When Napoleon's Army invaded both Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular Wars (1807-1814), most criollos saw the opportunity to secede from the Spanish Empire. By 1825 most of Latin America became independent, with only some last bastions in Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina still being loyal to the Spanish Crown. By 1833 even these were defeated, and all attempts of reconquest by Spain had been already thwarted. Finally, in 1836 the Spanish government renounced to the sovereignty over continental America, with the exception of Cuba an Puerto Rico, which were lost during the Spanish-American War (1898).
caudillios
The Americans decided to help the Latin-Americans in their fight for their independence because of the American Revolution. Latin-Americans were inspired by the American Revolution, therefore, the Americans decided to help in their fight for independence.
Latin Americans sought independence from their parent countries, mainly Spain and Portugal. The French and American revolutions served as inspirations for Latin American independence movements, as they demonstrated the possibility of overthrowing colonial rule and establishing independent governments.
Simon Bolivar & Bernardo O'Higgens
your dumb.
The intendancy system
The Creoles
The Creoles
The Peninsular Wars, when France led by Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and Portugal.
The Peninsular Wars, when France led by Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and Portugal.
Creoles were the ones that had most rights in Latin America and therefore, they were the ones that led independence movements.
Simon Bolivar led Latin America to its independence. He's considered the liberator of Latin America. He urged independence to the rest of the Latin American countries, and was successful in doing so.
Creole elites viewed it as a horrible example of social upheaval
the american and french revolutions
we helped them gain their independence
Charles III's Control of spainNapoleon Bonaparte's installation of his brother on the Spanish throneThe intendancy system
Creoles were the ones that had most rights in Latin America and therefore, they were the ones that led independence movements.