Revolutions in Latin America- Independence!

Colonization to Revolution 1500-1800

Spanish Mission System

The Spanish colonized South and Central America through a “mission system”. After the conquistadors had taken control of a region, the priests would move in to establish a church, village and farming area.

Spanish Missions on the Georgia coast Missions were

used to: Expand Spanish

territories Bring Christianity

to the indigenous population

Secure Spanish rule/power over the region

Father Miguel Hidalgo

Born in 1758 Born wealthy, but decided to become a

priest Worked for Mexican independence

Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) Hidalgo led a revolt of 600-800

Mexican peasants against the colonial Spanish rule in 1810.

He inspired the Mexican people with his “Grito de Dolores” speech.

His army marched to Mexico City. He was captured & executed in 1811. Mexico gained independence from

Spain-1821

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Born in 1743 and raised on a plantation in Haiti.

Though a slave, as a house servant, he was taught to read and write.

He loved books and loved to read, especially books about freedom, and the American & French revolutions.

He led the Revolution in 1791; he died in a French prison in 1803.

L’Ouverture- defeats Napoleon, leads a successful slave rebellion & fight for Haitian Independence A painting by Jacob Lawrence, a

famous African-American artist He was known as “Black Napoleon”

Simon Bolivar: “The Great Liberator” Born in 1783 in Venezuela Spent time in Europe & learned about the

“Enlightenment”; new ideas about freedom.

From 1810-1815, he led revolutions against Spain.

Under his leadership, these countries became independent: Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile & Argentina.

Bolivia & Bolivar The country of Bolivia is named in his

honor. (The city of La Paz). He wrote a constitution to organize the country of Bolivia. Bolivar became infected with tuberculosis and died from the disease in 1830.

Simon Bolivar

Sources

nationalgeographic.com villageearth.org spanishmissionarchive.org georgiaencyclopedia.org usgwarchives.org nps.gov tamus.edu princeton.edu oas.edu