Section 3 Latin American Wars of Independence
Section 3
Latin American Wars of Independence
I. Sources of Content
A. Ethnic and Social Hierarchy
1. Spanish born peninsulares dominated Latin American political and social life
Peninsulares- member of the highest class in Spanish colonies in the Americas
Could hold top jobs in government and the church
Creoles- person in Spain’s colonies in the Americas who was an American-born descendent of Spanish settlers
Resented their second-class status
2. A growing population were angry at being denied the status available to the whites
Mestizo- people of Native American and European descent
Mulatto- people of African and European descent
Denied status of wealth and power
3. Native Americans suffered economic misery under the Spanish
Masses of enslaved Africans longed for freedom
4. Different classes had little in common
They distrusted and feared each other
Worked together at times against the Spanish
B. Enlightenment Ideas
1. Educated creoles read the works of enlightenment thinkers
Watched colonist in North America throw off British rule
Translation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States even circulated among the creole elite
2. Women actively participated in the exchange of ideas
In some cities, women hosted and attended salons, called Tertulias
Where independence and revolution were discussed
3. Despite their admiration for Enlightenment ideas and revolutions in other lands, most creoles were reluctant to act
C. Napoleon Bonaparte
1. Napoleons invasion of Spain in 1808 ignited widespread rebellion in Latin America
Placed his brother Joseph on the throne
Leaders in Latin America saw this weakness as an opportunity to reject foreign domination
II. Haiti’s Struggle for Independence
A French ruled colony on the island of Hispaniola
Frances most valued possession in the 1700’s French planters owned very profitable sugar plantations worked by nearly a half million enslaved
Latin American Wars of Independence
I. Sources of Content
A. Ethnic and Social Hierarchy
1. Spanish born peninsulares dominated Latin American political and social life
Peninsulares- member of the highest class in Spanish colonies in the Americas
Could hold top jobs in government and the church
Creoles- person in Spain’s colonies in the Americas who was an American-born descendent of Spanish settlers
Resented their second-class status
2. A growing population were angry at being denied the status available to the whites
Mestizo- people of Native American and European descent
Mulatto- people of African and European descent
Denied status of wealth and power
3. Native Americans suffered economic misery under the Spanish
Masses of enslaved Africans longed for freedom
4. Different classes had little in common
They distrusted and feared each other
Worked together at times against the Spanish
B. Enlightenment Ideas
1. Educated creoles read the works of enlightenment thinkers
Watched colonist in North America throw off British rule
Translation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States even circulated among the creole elite
2. Women actively participated in the exchange of ideas
In some cities, women hosted and attended salons, called Tertulias
Where independence and revolution were discussed
3. Despite their admiration for Enlightenment ideas and revolutions in other lands, most creoles were reluctant to act
C. Napoleon Bonaparte
1. Napoleons invasion of Spain in 1808 ignited widespread rebellion in Latin America
Placed his brother Joseph on the throne
Leaders in Latin America saw this weakness as an opportunity to reject foreign domination
II. Haiti’s Struggle for Independence
A French ruled colony on the island of Hispaniola
Frances most valued possession in the 1700’s French planters owned very profitable sugar plantations worked by nearly a half million enslaved