Chapter 7 The Shifting Fortunes of Colonial Empires

Chapter 7

The Shifting Fortunes of Colonial Empires

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Spanish and Portuguese Empires in 18th Century Politics

• Great Britain and Latin America– Beginning of the Industrial Revolution– The Treaty of Utrecht formally ended the War

of the Spanish Succession– Contraband trade with British & growing

number of Anglo-American merchants


• The Seven Years’ War– A decisive shift in the colonial empires of

Britain, France, and Spain– The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the war

and redrew the map of North America



• The American Revolution & Latin America– Parliament imposed new taxes on the

colonies– French allying with the 13 colonies in 1778– Great Britain recognized the independence of

the United States & returned Florida to Spain



• The French Revolution and Latin America– Brief respite from war and social upheaval in

Europe and the Americas– Spain’s position in North America eroded– Trouble loomed with young & expansive US– French armies again took the offensive

against the other nations of Europe



• The Haitian Revolution– The slaves of Saint-Domingue took

advantage of splits within upper & middle classes

– Events in Haiti terrified slaveowners and all privileged classes throughout the Americas

• Inspired slaves and free people of color





The Bourbon and Pombaline Reforms

• Defending the Spanish Empire– Imperial rivalries accelerated in 18th century– Bourbon monarchs sponsored new

settlements to bolster Spanish claims to frontier regions

– French presence was a menace to Spain, but served as a buffer against troublesome British


• Administrative Restructuring and New Viceroyalties– Intendants for crown’s interest supervised

fiscal/military affairs & implemented Bourbon reforms

• Economic Development– Royally chartered companies were created to

boost production of desired commodities



• The Power of the Church– Absolutist kings of 18th century Europe viewed

the Catholic Church as a rival power– Marquis of Pombal ordered the society

expelled from Portugal’s overseas territories– Attempted to curb the wealth and power of

other ecclesiastical institutions





Latin American Peoples in the Age of Revolution

• Social Change in the Late Colonial Period– Numbers of Portuguese immigrants increased– Slaves declined in late colonial period– Cultural differences between Indians & others

• The Changing Face of Colonial Cities– The problem of crime in the streets– The threat to public order

Latin American Peoples in the Age of Revolution

• The Enlightenment in Latin America– Cities and towns were also hubs of intellectual

activity in the late colonial period– Educational institutions began placing greater

emphasis on science & reason– Used tertulias to discuss the political and

scientific ideas of the age





Resistance and Rebellion in the Late Colonial Period

• Developing Creole Consciousness– The spread of the cult of Our Lady of

Guadalupe in Mexico

• Resistance to the Bourbon Reforms– New taxes and other administrative changes– Violent protests

Resistance and Rebellion in the Late Colonial Period

• Conspiracies in Brazil– The volatile climate of the Age of Revolution

• The Great Rebellion in Peru– Rebels led by José Gabriel Condorcanqui

killed Antonio de Arriaga– The rebellion of Tupac Amaru and his

successors terrified Spanish authorities



Conclusion

• The changing political climate of the eighteenth century

• Reasons why Latin Americans were slower to assert their independence

• The self-perceived vulnerability of Latin American elites

• Troubled times of the Age of Revolution

Documents

Chapter 7 The Shifting Fortunes of Colonial Empires