Revolutions in Latin America

Sources of Discontent

• Educated creoles read the works of Enlightenment thinkers and wanted change
• Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808, placed his brother on the throne. Colonies saw that Spain was weak and took the opportunity to revolt

Sources of Discontent

• By the late 1700s, the revolutionary ideals that had swept Europe spread to Latin America
• Discontent stemmed from the inequalities in the social, racial, and political system

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Haiti

• Cause - Was ruled by France & they forced slaves to work

Haiti

• Effect - Slaves revolted demanding freedom, were successful in driving French forces out, became independent in 1820

Mexico

• Cause - Land and power had been stolen by the Spaniards, Creoles led by Father Miguel Hidalgo demanded freedom

Mexico

• Effect - Achieved independence in 1821, lives changed very little, military rulers kept control

Central America

• Cause - Napoleon’s invasion of Spain, American Revolutionary War

Central America

• Effect - Declared independence in 1820, formed new nations but these new countries aced many social and economic problems

South America

• Cause - Napoleon's invasion of Spain

South America

• Effect - Abolished system of forced labor, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile gained independence

Brazil

• Cause - Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal

Brazil

• Effect - Royal family fled to Brazil, encouraged free trade and reform, Dom Pedro became the emperor
• They accepted the constitution, allowed religious freedom, had an elected legislature

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