Name and Hour ________________________
Latin American Independence Study Guide
1. Where does the term “Latin America” come from?
2. What three conditions inspired the Latin American countries to revolt and gain their
independence?
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3. What was the name of Haiti and which European country ruled it prior to its revolution?
4. What was Haiti’s “Night of Fire” and who organized it?
5. Who began Haiti’s struggle for independence?
6. What was the first way Toussaint helped the Haitian revolution?
7. Why did Toussaint fight against Napoleon?
8. Why did the French finally leave St. Domingue?
9. Why were the Creoles in Mexico unhappy with Spain?
10. Who were the Mestizos?
11. Who was Miguel Hidalgo?
12. In what year did Mexico’s War of Independence begin?
13. Who was Father Morelos?
14. Why was Jose Maria Morelos unsuccessful in winning independence?
15. After many years, what turned the tide in favor of the Mexican rebels?
16. What was the one consistent aspect of Mexico during its revolutionary years after
independence?
17. Who was Santa Anna?
18. What group of people declared their independence from Mexico in 1836?
19. What battle rallied the Texans to defeat Santa Anna’s forces?
20. What did the U.S. do that angered the Mexicans and caused them to declare war on the U.S.?
21. What did Mexico lose because of the Mexican-American War?
22. How do some Mexicans refer to the Mexican-American War?
23. Who is Benito Juarez and what did he do for Mexico?
24. Who were Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata?
25. Why did Pancho Villa attack U.S. citizens across the border?
26. What happened in the Mexican revolution from 1910-1920?
27. Who was the first person to try to liberate Venezuela from Spanish rule and what was he called?
28. What conditions were made in order for Haiti to help liberate Bolivia and Venezuela?
29. What European country tried to capture Buenos Aires from the Spanish?
30. Who helped fight off the invaders and regain control of La Plata for Spain?
31. What present day countries formed La Plata?
32. Who was the main leader of the revolutions in the southern part of South America?
33. The Liberators of South America often did what to surprise the enemy with an attack?
34. Which goal shared by San Martín and Bolivar was never achieved?
35. Who was the ruler of Portugal and Brazil during the time of Napoleon?
36. What caused João to move his capital to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?
37. What factors led to Rio de Janeiro becoming such an important and large city?
38. How was Brazil different from many other Latin American countries in their independence?
39. What do Hidalgo, Toussaint, Bolivar, and San Martin have in common?
Short Answer
40. Explain the various military tactics that were used in the independence movements and why
these tactics were so successful.