E. Napp

Latin American Independence

In this lesson, students will be able to explain the accomplishments of the following individuals:

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Jose de San Martin

Simon Bolivar

Miguel Hidalgo

E. Napp

The American and French Revolutionsspread the idea that people were entitled

to a government that protectedtheir interests.

E. Napp

When Napoleonconquered Spain,Latin Americans

were ableto govern

themselves.

E. Napp

Reasons for Nationalist Movements

• Latin Americans resented restrictions that forbade them to trade with countries other than Spain.

• Latin Americans resented restrictions that prevented them from manufacturing their own goods.

• The American and French Revolutions encouraged freedom and self-rule.

E. Napp

After Napoleon’s defeat, many LatinAmerican colonies refused to return to

Spanish rule and demanded independence.

E. Napp

Toussaint L’Ouvertureled an uprising ofAfrican slaves in 1791, forcing the

French out of Haiti.

E. Napp

Haiti was the first Latin Americancolony to achieve independence.

E. Napp

Simon Bolivardefeated Spanishforces between 1819 and 1825,

liberatingVenezuela, Colombia,

Ecuador, Peruand Bolivia.

E. Napp

Jose de San Martin worked toliberate Argentina and Chile from Spanish rule in the years 1816 to

1818.

E. Napp

Miguel Hidalgo,a priest, began

a rebellionagainst Spanishrule in Mexico

in 1810, but theuprising failed.Mexico later

achieved its independence

in 1821.

E. Napp

President Monroe of the United Statesissued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823.

It stated the United States would opposeany attempt by Europeans to establish

new colonies in the Americas.

E. Napp

The Monroe Doctrine made it clearto the world that the United States

had special interests in the WesternHemisphere.

E. Napp

After independence, dictatorships,unstable governments, and poverty

affected many Latin American nations.Land and wealth remained in

the hands of a small elite. Caudillos ormilitary leaders ruled in some places.

E. Napp

Questions for Reflection:• What were the causes of the Latin

American independence movements?• Who was Toussaint L’Ouverture and what

did he accomplish?• What were the accomplishments of Simon

Bolivar and Jose de San Martin?• Compare and contrast Miguel Hidalgo and

Toussaint L’Ouverture.• What happened to the newly independent

nations?