FCPS World II SOL Standards: WHII 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d FCPS HS Social Studies © 2014 Revolutions in Latin America (1780-1830 C.E.) You Mean There Were Other Revolutions in the Americas Besides in the United States? Independence in Latin America Source: http://peoplecartographer.tumblr.com/post/25974370157/this-map-is-in-honor-of- windridden-who-asked-for Colonial System in Latin America By the late 1700s, most of Latin America had been colonized especially by Spain, but also Portugal and France. Spain was able to control such a large area having outposts of colonial authority in major cities such as Mexico City, Lima, and Buenos Aires. The social structure in Latin America was very rigid. Position in society was based on birth. People born in Spain called peninsulares had the most power. Peninsulares had the highest government and Church jobs. The colonies were managed by a representative of the Spanish king called the viceroy . The Catholic Church was the official religion and had a big impact on the colonies. The economy was mainly based on mining of precious metals. Mining and farming was done by mulattos, enslaved Africans, and natives. Latin Americans, particularly the creoles, grew frustrated with having little control in their government. By the beginning of the 1800s, many Latin American countries would attempt to gain freedom from Spain. Structure of Colonial Latin American Source: Teacher created Other Countries Gain Independence During the early 1800s, many Latin American countries gained freedom including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. In Mexico, Father Miguel Hidalgo began the Mexican independence movement in 1810. Mexico eventually gained independence from Spain in 1821. Simón Bolivar , given the title “The Liberator,” was the most famous revolutionary. Bolivar was Toussaint L’Ouverture Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Toussaint_L%27Ouverture.jpg Haiti Begins the Revolutions The French colony called Saint Domingue, modern day Haiti, was the first Latin American land to gain freedom. Haiti was a very valuable colony because it produced a lot of sugar. There were a large number of African slaves in Haiti that worked on the sugar plantations. These slaves were treated very poorly by their masters. Former slave Toussaint L’Ouverture led a revolt against French control in the late 1790s. L’Ouverture was later captured, but the revolution continued without him. In 1804, Haiti gained independence. The Monroe Doctrine Although most Latin American nations were independent by the 1820s, they feared European powers would try to reconquer these lands. The United States also thought this might happen. In 1823, President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine. The document recognized the independence of the Latin American countries. It also stated the United States would consider any future attempts at colonizing as a threat to its own peace and safety. In other words, Europe should stay out of the Western Hemisphere. a creole from Venezuela. He was inspired by the Enlightenment ideas and wanted to free his country. He liberated Venezuela in 1811 and went on to free the northern areas of Latin America.