These revolutions followed the American and French Revolutions, which had profound effects on the Spanish, Portuguese, and French colonies in the Americas. The outcome in Spanish America was that most of the region achieved political independence and instigated the creation of sovereign nations.

Explanation: Francisco Franco was a Spanish general who became famous for being the dictator of Spain between 1936 and 1975. The dictatorship imposed by Francisco Franco was called Francoism and only ended with the death of its leader.

To change these conditions, various leaders began movements that would alter the political and cultural landscape of this region: Toussaint L’Ouverture in Haiti (1791), Miguel Hidalgo in Mexico (1810), José de San Martin in what is now Argentina, Chile, and Peru (1808), and Simón Bolívar in what is now Colombia.

The movements that liberated Spanish South America arose from opposite ends of the continent. From the north came the movement led most famously by Simón Bolívar, a dynamic figure known as the Liberator. From the south proceeded another powerful force, this one directed by the more circumspect José de San Martín.

Immediate effects of the revolutions included freedom and independence for the people of the liberated countries. However, in the long term, poor governance of the liberated countries led to instability and increasing poverty in those areas.

Goals of the Revolution The main goal was to separate from the imperial powers and to become completely independent from Spain and Portugal. Along with this, the creation of new countries and a fairer social system were goals for Latin America.

Latin American Revolution

• Hispaniola announces freedon. 1804.
• Revolt in Latin America. 1807 – 1825.
• Mexico’s first revolt began. 1810.
• Mexico’s independence day. September 16, 1810.
• Jose Maria Morelos captured and executed. 1815.
• Battle of Maipu. April 5, 1818.
• Mexico declares independence. 1821.
• Mexico becomes a republic. 1823.

Many Latin Americans began selling their goods illegally to the British colonies and, after 1783, U.S. merchants. By the late 18th century, Spain was forced to loosen some trade restrictions, but the move was too little, too late, as those who produced these goods now demanded a fair price for them.

Right, so before independence, Latin American society was characterized by three institutions that exercised control over the population. The first was the Spanish Crown, or if you are Brazilian, the Portuguese crown….Statistics.

Independence from Spain came suddenly for most of Latin America. Between 1810 and 1825, most of Spain’s former colonies declared and won independence and had divided up into republics. Napoleon, seeking to expand his empire, attacked and defeated Spain, and he put his elder brother Joseph on the Spanish throne.

The Latin American Wars of Independence took place during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The American and French Revolutions had influenced these countries. Spanish, Portuguese, and French colonies rose up in revolution. They created new, independent countries in Latin America.

During the 18th and 19th centuries in Spanish America, Creoles would lead the fight for Latin American Independence due to the fear of social unrest, and the want for political and economic control from the Spanish peninsulares. This created fear among other Creoles who only wanted to better their social standings.

With a weak ruler and the Spanish military busy, Spain wasn’t focused on people in the colonies, so the Creoles felt more ignored than ever. There was also a growing sense in the colonies that they were different from Spain. Creoles began to feel more pride in the colonial territories where they grew up.

Haiti

The American Revolution of 1775-1783 and the French Revolution of 1789 both inspired Latin American countries to declare independence from Spain.

The first two, and most notable, countries in the Americas to gain independence were the United States (1776), led by General George Washington, and Haiti (1804), led by Toussaint L’Ouverture (above).

In 1939, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand were the first to be given independence within the Commonwealth. Since then a total of 62 countries have gained independence from the United Kingdom. This is followed by France with 28, Spain with 17, The Soviet Union with 16, Portugal with 7 and the USA with 5.

The Creoles led this movement., Inspired by American & French Revolutions, Widespread rebellions against the Spanish to try to gain independence in Latin American countries, Simon Bolivar was a leader of the movement.

Spain

In 1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs and Mexico became a Spanish colony. For 300 years Spain ruled the land until the early 1800s. At that time the local Mexicans revolted against Spanish rule. Father Miguel Hidalgo declared Mexico’s independence with his famous cry of “Viva Mexico”.

The revolutionary tract called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico, redistribution of land, and racial equality. After some initial successes, Hidalgo was defeated, captured, and executed. On August 24, 1821, O’Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba, thus ending New Spain’s dependence on Old Spain.

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo doesn’t commemorate Mexico’s Independence Day. May 5 marks the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day—the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16, commemorating the Cry of Dolores in 1810, which initiated the war of Mexican independence from Spain.

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