 One of the most far-reaching effects of the
American and French Revolutions was that they led to the independence of Latin America
 In the late 18 th century, the Spanish and
Portuguese colonial system caused increasing unrest in Latin America
 Colonists were denied political power and economic restrictions made it difficult for them to trade directly with other countries or manufacture their own goods.



 Creoles – descendants of Europeans born in Latin America who lived there permanently
 Peninsulares – Spanish and Portuguese officials who resided temporarily in Latin
America for political and economic gain
 Mestizos – people of mixed European and Indian descent

 The American and French Revolutions spread revolutionary ideas
 The weakening of European powers during the Age of Napoleon
 Resentment of European leaders for draining the Americas of their wealth
 Social divisions and oppression of the poor

 Haiti

Toussaint l’Ouverture – led an uprising of
African slaves in 1791, forcing the French out of
Haiti and making Haiti the first Latin American colony to achieve independence
 Mexico


Miguel Hidalgo – led Mexico’s first revolt (1810).
The uprising failed, but Mexico later achieved independence in 1821.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna – Ruled from
1833-1855. Misused state funds, halted reforms and created chaos. Led Mexico in wars against the U.S. in the 1840s.

 South America

Jose’ de San Martin – considered a
“Liberator of South America”.
Liberated Argentina, Chile, and helped liberate Peru. (1816-1818)
 Simon Bolivar – also considered a
“liberator of South America” by freeing
Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. (1819-1825)



The Monroe Doctrine – Issued by
President James Monroe, it threatened to intervene if any European nations tried to get involved in Latin American politics.
Helped insure independence of Latin
American nations.
The Panama Canal – begun by the
French, but completed by the U.S. It cut travel time from the Atlantic to Pacific in half.

 The U.S. periodically sent troops to Latin
American countries to put down rebellions.
 Latin American countries referred to the
U.S. as “The big bully to the north”.

 Create a color coded timeline with 1790 and ending with 1850. (Google or use textbook)
 Create a key
 Red – Mexico
(1810, 1821, 1823, 1833, 1835, 1846-48)
 Green – South America
(1810, 1817, 1822, 1824)
 Blue – U.S.
(1823, 1846-48)
 Black – Haiti
(1791)
1790 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850