European Empires: 1660s
16c-18c:
New Ideas Brewing in Europe
Causes of Latin American
Revolutions
• Enlightenment Ideas  writings of John
Locke, Voltaire, & Jean Rousseau;
Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine.
• Colonization by Spain & France & Portugal
 brutal treatment of indigenous
population & African slaves
• Inspiration of American and French
Revolutions
Enlightenment Ideas
1. Laws of nature [NATURAL LAWS]
govern natural science and human
society.
2. Give people rights  life, liberty,
property!
3. Make fair societies based on reason
possible.
4. Challenged the theory of “Divine
Right” monarchy.
2. Creole Discontent
3. Inspiration of American &
French Revolutions
Declaration of the
Rights of Man & of the
Citizen, 1789
Declaration of
Independence, 1776
Napoleon on the March
Provides a model & a diversion!
Latin American Revolutions!
Toussaint L’Ouveture
Leads a Revolution
in Haiti
(1804)
• French colony of Haiti was the first
Latin American territory to gain
independence from the mother
country
• Toussaint L’Ouverture  a former
slave that led an organized,
successful slave revolt
• Defeated armies of Spain, France,
and Britain during rebellion
• Social class hierarchy of Spanish colonies
• Top:
- Peninsulares (men born in Spain)
- Creoles (Spaniards born in colonies) at the
top
• Bottom
-Natives & slaves at the bottom – oppressed
& brutalized
• Some Creoles were wealthy & educated 
traveled, learned & spread Enlightenments
ideals – brought revolution to Latin America
Simón Bolivar: The “Brains”of
the Revolution Video
•1808 – Napoleon
conquered Spain &
removed king  people
questioned Spain’s
authority overseas 
rebellions began
•Simon Bolivar was a
Venezuelan Creole 
leads independence
movement for northern
areas of Latin America
Jose de San Martin
• 1816 - San Martin
brings independence
to Argentina
• 1817 – San Martin
brings independence
to Chile
Miguel Hidalgo
•In 1810 Miguel
Hidalgo – a priest in
Mexico spread
Enlightenment ideas
& encourages
revolution for
independence, but
many leaders and
years are required
until official
independence in
1821
Monroe Doctrine
 President James Monroe issues the
Monroe Doctrine: attempts by
European countries to influence in
L.American will be considered a
threat to U.S. independence and
safety
 U.S. to Europe: stay out of
L. America OR ELSE!