Latin Revolutions
Although often overlooked Latin
revolutions have had a profound impact
on the political and social make-up of
the world as we know it.
Definition
• Revolution, forcible and often violent change
of a social or political order by a sizable
segment of a country's population.
Revolution
Does a revolution have to be violent?
What is the difference between a
revolution and a rebellion or coup d’
etat?
Background
The French Revolution
Enlightenment
Colonial power in Latin America
Latin Revolutions General Facts: South America:
Who:
When:
Why:
How:
Mexico:
Who:
Brazil:
Who:
When:
When:
Why:
Why:
Latin American Colonial Society
Peninsulares- born in Spain
Creoles- Spaniards or French born in Latin
America. Often mixed race (European and
African)
Mulattos- Mixed European and African
ancestry
Mestizos –Mixed European and Indian
ancestry
Indians- Native Americans
Europeans
Revolution in Haiti
The vast majority of Saint Domingue’s
population were enslaved Africans.
In August of 1791
100,000 slaves rose in revolt.
Toussaint L’Ouverture emerged as the
leader of the slave revolt.
By 1801 L’Ouverture had control of the
territory and freed the slaves.
Revolution in Haiti
During the civil war that followed
the Haitian slave uprising, British
and Spanish forces invaded the
French colony. Haitian leader
Toussaint L'Ouverture defeated
the European generals in battle,
then ruled Haiti until 1802.
Revolution in Haiti
1802, 16,000 French troops are sent by
Napoleon to depose Toussaint and
regain control of Haiti.
Toussaint is double crossed by the
French and imprisoned in 1802.
He died in 1803
Revolution in Haiti
Toussaint’s general Jean-Jacques
Dessalines continued the fight against
the French in 1804.
He declared the colony an independent
country.
What is the big deal?
The revolution directly impacted the United
States.
Refugees from Haiti pored into Louisiana.
These refugees from Saint-Domingue—white
planters, mulatto artisans, and some African
slaves—brought with them their language,
religion, laws, newspapers, education, art, and
their skills at growing sugar, all of which strongly
influenced the culture of the lower South.
French Imperialism and the U.S.
The French failure to regain control over
Saint-Domingue also influenced
Napoleon to abandon efforts to build an
empire in the western hemisphere. In
1803 France sold its North American
province of Louisiana.
Haitian Influence throughout
South America
Haiti was the 2nd independent nation (free
from European rule)
What was the first?
Haiti gave support to Simón Bolívar, leader of
the movement for South American
independence from Spain in the early 1800s.
In return, Bolivar made abolition of slavery one of
the goals of his movement.
The End of Spanish Rule
Napoleon’s conquest of Spain in 1808
spurs revolts throughout the Spanish
colonies.
Two brilliant generals emerged during
these wars of independence, Simon
Bolivar and Jose de San Martin.
How did Enlightenment ideas spur
on these Latin Revolutions?
Bolivar visited Europe and then the new US,
there he studied the US government and
documents
Liked the ideas of democracy and equality for all
Bolivar visited London looking for support.
There he found ideas from:
John Locke, Thomas Paine, Montesquieu,
Rousseau, Voltaire
Simon Bolivar
Simón Bolívar helped win
independence from
Spain for Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador,
Peru, and Venezuela.
Revered throughout
South America, Bolívar
earned the name The
Liberator. He won
Venezuela’s
independence in 1821.
Jose de San Martin
Argentine general
José de San Martín
helped lead South
America to freedom
from Spanish rule.
San Martín is
regarded as one of
Argentina’s
foremost heroes.
Bolivar and San Martin
Met in 1822 (in modern day Ecuador)
Bolivar took charge of both armies
• San Martin left
• Bolivar completed the liberation of Peru
– Unknown of Bolivar angered San Martin and caused
him to leave or if San Martin left knowing Bolivar was
more capable.
Revolution in Mexico
Indian and Mestizos led by Padre Hidalgo called for
independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810.
Spanish and Creole forces crushed the “unruly” rebels in
1811.
Padre Jose Maria Morelos rose up in 1811 to continue the
revolution.
• In 1815 he was defeated by Agustin de Iturbide (a Creole man).
In a strange change of events Iturbide – the man who
defeated Morelos – proclaimed independence for Mexico in
1821.
• Why were they ready for independence 11 years later?
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Helped Mexico gain
independence from
Spanish rule in 1821
Became President of
Mexico four times from
1833-1855
Fought the US in the
1830’s to regain control
of Texas
In 1848 he lost to the
U.S. and signed the
Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo
Santa Anna cont.
Mexico lost a lot of land
including California,
Texas, and the present
day New Mexico and
Arizona area
The Alamo, a famous
site in San Antonio,
Texas where Mexican
forces defeated U.S.
colonists
Benito Juarez
A Zapotec Indian who
became a powerful
politician
Led a reform
movement, La Reforma
Education and
distributing land fairly
were his goals
Became President in
1861
Promoted trade, opened
roads, and rail roads
The French
The wealthy conservatives invited the French
because leaders like Juarez threatened their
power
May 5, 1862, Mexico defeated the French at
the Battle of Puebla- celebrated today as
Cinco de Mayo
But…Napolean III sent an army to Mexico and
took control of Mexico in the 1863
Austrian archduke Maximilian ruled Mexico as
emperor for a short time
Porfirio Diaz
Gained power and ruled
Mexico from 1867-1911
He was an Indian from
Oaxaca
Built banks, stabilized the
currency, and increased
foreign investment
The rich became wealthier
and the poor became poorer
Diaz worsened the
conditions in Mexico, giving
rise to revolution
Francisco Madero
From a rich family and
educated in the U.S. (UC
Berkeley)
Began the new Mexican
Revolution with his push
for a democratic
government
Was exiled into the U.S. by
Diaz, then he called for an
armed revolution allowing
“Pancho” Villa and Zapata
to gain power
Francisco “Pancho” Villa
Popular figure from
North Mexico
Had qualities similar to
“Robin-Hood”
Fought and supported
the poor and landless
He was wanted by the
U.S. for murdering U.S.
citizens in Columbus,
New Mexico
Emiliano Zapata
Was the leader of a
Southern army in
Mexico
Forced Diaz out of
power in 1911
Supported the poor
and wanted land
redistribution
Venustiano Caranza
Was supported by Villa
and Zapata
Became President after
General Victoriano
Huerta was removed
from power
He turned against
Zapata and Villa and
had Zapata murdered
Overview of the Mexican Revolution
Over a million Mexicans died
There was a constant power struggle
between the leaders and dictators of
Mexico
The real revolution was fought between
the rich, who controlled most of the
land, and the poor, which was the
majority of the population
The Mexican Constitution
It broke up large sections of ownership
Banned foreign ownership of land
Established minimum wage
Labor unions and the right to strike
were established
Gov. took over land owned by the
Church
Gov. took over natural resources
Brazil’s Battle for Independence
Brazil had been a Portuguese Colony
until the French conquest of Spain and
Portugal.
After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815 the
Portuguese government wanted to
make Brazil, it’s largest former colony,
part of the Portuguese empire.
1822, Creoles in Brazil demand
independence from Portugal and
petition for a new ruler.
September 7, 1822 marks the official
declaration of Brazilian independence.
Independence was won through a
bloodless revolution
Disunity
What were some of the negative
consequences of independence in Latin
America?
Increase in poverty
Devastated countryside
Discuss
Who has the right to govern-Colonial
powers (ie: Spain) or the citizens?