1.4 THE CARIBBEAN & LATIN
AMERICA: REVOLUTION AND
INDEPENDENCE
IB HOA
The Haitian Revolution (pages 35-37)
Spanish- American Wars of Independence (pages 38-45)
Brazil’s Path to Independence (Pages 46-47)
THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION , 1791-1804
THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA IN THE
CARIBBEAN
• The east side of the island was
colonized by the Spanish – “Santo
Domingo” (Dominican Republic)
• The west side of the island was
colonized by the French – “ Saint
Domingue” (Haiti)
• Today, the island is divided into two
countries; Haiti & the Dominican
Republic
THE FRENCH COLONY OF SAINT DOMINGUE
( HAITI)
• French established a plantation
economy in the 1600’s
• Cash Crop: Sugar
• Relied on slave labor
• 2/5th’s of the world’s sugar was
produced in Sainte Domingue
• Profitable French colony
DEMOGRAPHICS IN THE COLONY OF SAINT
DOMINGUE
• 1. Whites Dominant Group – 40,000
• Divided by class but equal in privileges
• Grand blancs – wealthy whites
• Petit blancs- middle & lower class whites
• 2. Free Gens de Coleur (Non-Whites) – 30,000
• Socially diverse
• Felt discriminated against
• 3. African Slaves - 500,000 !!
• Ethnically diverse
• The majority of the population
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND ITS
IMPACT ON HAITI
• French Revolution began in 1789
• The Free Gens de Coleur saw this as the
perfect opportunity to rebel against
whites.
• They sought:
• Equal rights
• The National Assembly in France
granted them political rights in 1790
THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION BEGINS, 1791
• The whites in Haiti refused to grant the
free gens de coleur their rights.
• 1791 members of the gens de coleur
organized a rebellion
• By August of 1791, slaves revolted and
attacked white plantations and their
owners
THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION; FRANCE’S
RESPONSE
• Despite their own revolution at home,
French sent 6,000 troops to Haiti in 1792
• Fighting intensified
• In desperation, France abolished
slavery in Haiti in 1793
• France attempted to restore power &
control
TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE’S BATTLES
• Former slave, led successful revolt of
slaves in Haiti
• Self -educated
• Inspired by enlightenment ideas
• Organized his people against the
French troops
• Defeated the French
TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE’S BATTLES
• The British took advantage of the
situation and invaded Haiti in 1793
• Toussaint L’Ouverture led his men in a
fight against the British from 1793-1798
• The British gave fighting over control up
in exchange for trading privileges
TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE’S BATTLES
• Once both the French and the British
were defeated, civil war erupted
between the former slaves ( Led by
L’ouverture) and the free Gens de
Coleur
• L’ouverture defeated the free people of
color in 1800
TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE’S BATTLES
• In 1801 Toussaint conquered the eastern
half of the island, the Spanish side.
• A constitution was adopted in 1801
uniting both sides of the island
WHY WAS THIS SLAVE REVOLT SUCCESSFUL?
• 1. France was pre-occupied with revolution
• 2. Slaves outnumbered French and free people of color
• 3. Toussaint Louverture’s leadership skills
NAPOLEON DECIDED HE DIDN’T WANT TO
LOSE SAINT DOMINGUE (HAITI)
• Napoleon invited Toussaint L’ouverture to a negotiation meeting in 1802
• If you were L’ouverture, would you attend?
TOUSSAINT WAS BETRAYED BY NAPOLEON!
• Napoleon ordered L’ouverture’s capture
• L’ouverture was kidnapped, sent to
France in chains, and imprisoned
• Toussaint L’ouverture died in France in
his cell.
NAPOLEON THEN DECIDED HE DIDN’T
NEED HAITI
• 1804 Haiti officially gained its
independence and was proclaimed a
Republic
• Haiti : the 2nd independent republic in
New World…
• The most successful slave revolt in
world history
• A threat to the Spanish and Portuguese
colonies in the Americas
“BLACK IN LATIN AMERICA: HAITI AND THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC- THE ROOTS OF
DIVISION”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RlG4b3LV9o
• In groups of 2 or 3, please discuss the following questions
• Please respond (individually) to one of the following questions after group discussion.
• 1. Based on the video that you saw in class Haiti and the Dominican Republic, an Island
Divided, why do you think that most Dominicans consider Spain as the "mother land" and
Haitians consider Africa as their "mother land"?
2. Do you think that the Dominican Republic is acting appropriately by deporting
thousands of Haitian immigrants back to Haiti, even if they have been working and raising
a family in the DR for many years?
3. Do you think that Haiti and the Dominican Republic are more alike or different? Explain
your answer.
SPANISH -AMERICAN WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE
Pages 38-45)
“NEW SPAIN”
SPANISH –AMERICAN WARS OF
INDEPENDENCE
• The Spanish colonies did not unite in
order to fight for independence ( as
opposed to the British colonies)
• Why rebel against SPAIN?
• 1. Desire for social equality
• 2. Desire for political independence
THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE IN THE
SPANISH COLONIES VARIED
•
Each region had its own leaders
• Each region had its own agendas/ goals
• Were encouraged and inspired by:
• 1. The ideas of the Enlightenment
• 2. The Revolutions in the U.S. and France
Were afraid of what happened in Haiti
COLONIAL LATIN AMERICA:
DEMOGRAPHICS BY THE EARLY 1800’S
• 30,000 Peninsulares (born in Spain)
• 3.5 million Criollos of Spanish descent
born in New World
• 10 million African slaves, Native
Americans, mixed ancestry
WHAT CAUSED DISCONTENT?
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
• 1. Peninsulares – born in Spain
• owned land, had rights, held
powerful positions in government
and church
• 2. Criollos (Creoles) – born in the
Americas/ European parents
• resented their second class status,
wanted political power
WHAT CAUSED DISCONTENT?
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
• 3. Mestizos/Mulatos – mixed
ancestry,
• were denied status, wealth, rights, &
power available to whites
• 4. African Slaves – no rights, longed
for freedom
• 5. Native Americans- no rights,
suffered economic misery
NAPOLEON INVADED SPAIN IN 1807
• And overthrew the Spanish King
• NAPOLEON named his brother Joseph
Bonaparte ruler of Spain
• As a result, Spanish authority was
weakened in the American colonies
• Argument: without a “true” Spanish
King, the people were sovereign ( in
power)
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE
*** 1810-1821***
FATHER MIGUEL HIDALGO
• “Father of Mexican Independence”
• Parish Priest: Dolores, Guanajuato
• Inspired by Enlightenment
• Fought Against:
• 1. injustice & social inequality
• 2. Political Oppression of Spain
• 3. Poverty , hunger,
SECRET SOCIETY- “ACADEMIA LITERARIA”
(LITERARY ACADEMY)
• Father Miguel Hidalgo belonged to
secret society
• Goal was to plan a rebellion against
Spain
BETRAYAL!!
• A Secret society member was really a
spy!
• Informed the Spanish of the planned
conspiracy…
• AND gave names of those involved! 
DONA JOSEFA ORTIZ DE DOMINGUEZ
• Wife of a Spanish government official
• Went to church, and during communion
whispered to Father Miguel Hidalgo…
• “ Ellos saben” - “They know! “
SEPT. 16, 1810- EL GRITO DE DOLORES
(THE CRY OF DOLORES)
• Father Miguel Hidalgo’s Call for
Independence from Spain
• In Dolores, Guanajuato Mexico
• His speech appealed to Creoles, NativeAmericasn, Mestizos, free blacks and
mulattos
• Encouraged all to fight for
independence & rights
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
• Becomes a symbol of the Mexican
masses during the fight for
Independence
• Symbolizes unity and an emerging
“Mexican” Identity
1811 FATHER MIGUEL HIDALGO IS CAPTURED
BY SPANISH
• Charged with treason and Sentenced to
death
• Father Jose Maria Morelos led
movement 1811-1815
• After Hidalgo’s death
FATHER JOSE MARIA MORELOS
• Was a Mestizo
• Wrote the Constitutional Decree for Liberty of Mexico in
1814
• Mexico’s Declaration of Independence included the
abolition of slavery
• Morelos was executed by the Spanish in 1815
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT60g-GlnLs
• 1
RANDOM JOSE MARIA MORELOS STATUE
IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS
MEXICO GAINS INDEPENDENCE FORM
SPAIN 1821
• Agustin Iturbide
• With support from: Mestizos, Criollos,
Native Americans, Africans
• Overthrew the Spanish
• The Three Guarantees: (Plan de Ayala)
• 1. Mexican Independence
• 2. Protection of Catholic Faith
• 3. Equality
THE CREATION OF CENTRAL AMERICAN
COUNTRIES
• Local leaders set up the United
Provinces of Central America
• The Union soon fragmented in separate
republics:
• Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El
Salvador, Costa Rica
• (Panama & Belize will gain
Independence in the 20th century)
INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS IN SOUTH
AMERICA
SIMON BOLIVAR
• Military & Political Leader
• Born in Venezuela
• Creole from wealthy background
• Educated in Europe
• Inspired by the Enlightenment
• Saw the U.S. as perfect example of
constitutional democracy
SIMON BOLIVAR YOUNG LOVE…
SIMON BOLIVAR YOUNG LOVE…
• Married in 1802, she died a year later 
• Simon Bolivar returned to Europe
immersed himself in intellectual and
political learning
• Found a new purpose in his life…
• Leading the Independence movement
against Spain
BOLIVAR LED REVOLT IN VENEZUELA
• “Creole” Revolution originally did not
include non-whites
• Bolivar welcomed all races into his
army setting example of unity
• Freed his own slaves
• Inspired all races and classes to fight for
independence from Spain
BOLIVAR’S STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS
• 1. Foreign Legion Volunteers:
• British volunteer soldiers who fought in
Bolivar’s army
• “the saviors of my country!” – S.B.
• 2. Haitian Presisdent Alexandre Petion
• Provided money, volunteers, weapons
• Condition: That Bolivar liberate slaves
BY 1824 BOLIVAR ESTABLISHED
INDEPENDENCE IN:
• A Region called “Gran Colombia”
Became President of Region
• Could not change race and class systems
• Renounced Presidency in1830
• modern day : Venezuela, Ecuador,
Colombia, Panama established, 1830
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HFiS
UjEzVs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjMJ
HMCfSmc
SIMON BOLIVAR, “EL LIBERTADOR” /”THE
LIBERATOR”
BOLIVIA IS NAMED AFTER SIMON BOLIVAR
SAY WHAT, SIMON???
JOSE DE SAN MARTIN
• Born in Argentina, Creole
• Educated in Spain
• Led revolutions against Spanish rule in:
• Argentina
• Peru
• Chile
JOSE DE SAN MARTIN
• Felt that liberation of the Americas
depended on the expulsion of the
Spanish from the continent
• Crossed the Andes mountains with
3,000 troops in 1817 – “Army of the
Andes”
• Joined with Bernardo O’Higgin’s army
and defeated the Spanish in Chile
• Battle of Chacabuco, 1817
BERNARDO O’HIGGINS
• Joined with Jose de San Martin’s army
and defeated the Spanish in Chile
• Was named Supreme Dictator of Chile
(after San Martin declined)
• Instituted economic, social, political
reforms
• Creoles threatened to overthrow him
• Resigned in 1823 and went to Peru
THE LIBERTADORES… LIKE
ONE DIRECTION, BUT MORE REVOLUTIONARY!
INDEPENDENCE IN BRAZIL
INDEPENDENCE IN BRAZIL
• Portuguese colony
• Prince Escaped to the colony of Brazil
When Napoleon invaded Portugal in 1808
• Prince Joao made Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
the capital of the Portuguese empire
• Banks, universities, were established in
Brazil
• Became King of Portugal and Brazil 1815
INDEPENDENCE IN BRAZIL
• King Joao VI returned to Portugal in
1821
• Left his son, Dom Pedro as regent (ruler)
of Brazil
• People in Brazil Wanted Independence
• What should Prince Dom Pedro do?
KING JOAO’S ADVICE TO HIS SON:
•“if Brazil demands Independence,
proclaim it yourself and put the
crown on your head!”
INDEPENDENCE IN BRAZIL – DAMAGE
CONTROL
• Dom Pedro declared Brazil Independent
in 1822 and then
• Crowned himself emperor
• 1. Constitution in 1824-1889 included
bicameral legislature:
• Lower house elected by male vote
• Upper house selected by emperor and
served life terms
• 2. Catholicism adopted as official religion
Dom Pedro :
"By my blood, by my honor, and by God: I will make Brazil
free."
THE AFTERMATH: FOREIGN RELATIONS
IN THE AMERICAS, 1810-1823
***
THE U.S. RESPONDS TO LATIN AMERICAN
INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS
• 1. Remained officially “neutral”
• 2. but advised revolutionaries and
traded with them
• 3. Three Reasons U.S. Supported
independence movements:
• Expansionist aims
• Trade with provinces
• Ideological sympathies
THE MONROE DOCTRINE, 1823
• U.S. Foreign policy
• U.S. would intervene if European powers
interfered with newly formed Latin
American nations
• “The American continents … are
henceforth not to be considered as
subjects for future colonization by any
European powers.”
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE
REVOLUTIONS ON THE AMERICAS
• 1. U.S.
• France replaced Britain as main trade
partner’
• Trade with Spanish America escalated
• Industrialization
• 100,000 British loyalists moved to Canada
• Slavery continued
• Territorial Expansion between 1800-1848
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE
REVOLUTIONS ON THE AMERICAS
• 2. Latin America (economics)
• Impact varied form place to place
• Few incentives to develop industry,
produce and export goods
• As a result, relied on foreign investors
who encouraged cheap labor
• Internal economic development limited
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE
REVOLUTIONS ON THE AMERICAS
• 2. Latin America (social status)
• Class of elites based on race still
dominated
• Unresolved social issues
• Laws meant to protect rights were not
always enforced
• Discrimination persisted
• Slavery abolished