The Coming of Independence to South America

Domingo Monteverde

A Spanish soldier, governor and Captain General of Venezuela from June 1812 to 8 August 1813. Was the leader of Spanish forces in the Venezuelan War of Independence from 1812 to 1813. Led the military campaign that culminated in the fall of the First Republic of Venezuela in 1812. One year later in 1813, he was defeated by Simón Bolívar during the Admirable Campaign.

Francisco de Miranda

A military leader and Venezuelan revolutionary. Although his own plans for the independence of the Spanish American colonies failed, he is regarded as a forerunner of Simón Bolívar, who during the Spanish American wars of independence successfully liberated much of South America. An idealist, he developed a visionary plan to liberate and unify all of Spanish America, but his own military initiatives on behalf of an independent Spanish America ended in 1812. He was handed over to his enemies and four years later, died in a Spanish prison.

Jose Miguel Carrera

Aristocratic leader in the early struggle for the independence of Chile and first president of that country.

Chile

Became a battleground for patriots of Argentina and the royalists of Peru. Crisis in Spain caused by Napoleon's invasion and the usurpation of Ferdinand set off sympathetic unrest in Chile. Creoles of Chile had strong national identity as Chileans. 1810 called an assembly and outmaneuvered Spaniards and conservative Creoles. Ports were opened to all countries. Some Chileans weren't ready for independence and just wanted a more liberal constitution Jose Miguel Carrera led a coup d' etat and reorganized the assembly; abolished the Inquisition and started the secularization of education, antagonized royalists and conservatives. He also antagonized other patriots by changing the form of government twice more, eventually putting himself in charge. Powerful Chilean families worked to oust Carrera and his brothers and they rallied behind Bernado O'Higgins.

Bernado O'Higgins

Chilean independence leader who, together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence.

Bolivia

It was kinda a feudal society, divided between elites who had power/privilege/land and those that served the elites as vassals and peasants Revolution led by radical Creoles and mestizos erupted mid-1809; called for the liberation of Bolivia from Spanish tyranny, failed to gain followers among the majority conservative Creoles who wanted to preserve their positions in society A lot of Native uprisings terrorized the Creoles (Tupac Amaru II 1780) 1809- Early independence is crushed by royalists Successful revolutionaries of Buenos Aires sparks next stage of Bolivian independence movement 1810- First of many liberating expeditions was dispatched from Argentina to Bolivia At first it was successful in defeating royalist resistance, but it soon sank The portenos, led by Juan Jose Castelli, antagonized the Bolivian Creoles by acting like conquering overlords instead of companions in independence; pillaged and stole from Bolivians 1813- 2nd invasion from Buenos Aires commanded by Manuel Belgrano strikes Bolivia; defeated by royalists led by Spanish general Joaquin de la Pezuela Spanish try to march into Argentina, but patriots stop them, led by Jose de San Martin. 1815- Argentine expedition into Bolivia, succeed a little, but are thrown out (almost all porteno forces are annihilated) Argentina abandons the strategy of liberating Bolivia by direct invasion Bolivian Creoles tended to side with royalists; they were scared of montoneros (guerilla bands of radical Creoles and mestizos) 1816- Royalists crush montoneros

Paraguay

Paraguay was kinda isolated. 1811- Paraguay is free from Spanish control Small group of Creole estancieros ruled over a large mass of mestizos and natives. Creoles were moved into action by the 1810 events in Buenos Aires. They accepted the regency in Spain, but didn't accept a relationship w/ Buenos Aires outside of fraternity. This pissed the Argentines off and they dispatched an army. They lost and Paraguay was independent. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia became dictator in 1815 and ruled until he died in 1840. Passed v easily into independence.

Venezuela

Racial divisions between Natives, Spaniards, mestizos, and pardos. Blacks, both slaves and free, played an important role in the Wars of Independence in Venezuela July 5, 1811 Venezuelan Creoles declare independence--first country to declare itself fully independent of Spain 1811- Civil War erupts. The royalists (Spanish forces) launched a campaign to crush insurrection against Spain. They were joined by conservative Creoles, and many pardos and blacks who were disenchanted w/ new constitution New constitution disenfranchised pardos w/ strict voting requirements based on property ownership, retained slavery Patriots (ppl for independence) alienated many groups during the wars, these ppl found comfort in the royalist's cause 1810- Bolivar enters the service of Venezuela and is sent as an emissary to London to seek support for independence. He persuades Francisco de Miranda (most important precursor of Venezuelan independence + radical) to return w/ him and lead the movement Royalists are led by Domingo Monteverde and they form a coalition of Spaniards, conservative Creoles, pardos, and blacks that overwhelmed Miranda March 26, 1812- Horrible earthquake happens and royalists see it as a sign from G-d. Miranda signs a capitulation and seemed to have betrayed the cause, Bolivar has him arrested and let him be taken by the Spaniards The end of the First Republic in Venezuela. Bolivar flees across the border to Columbia to regroup

Argentina

The Southern Cone refers to the nations of South America: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia 1806- British military expedition invaded the Rio de la Plata region and the British occupied Buenos Aires There was a struggle between England and Napoleonic France and this stuff sets the stage for a brief, successful show of force by patriotic Argentine Creoles Spanish viceroy and wealthy Spanish merchants fled into the interior when the Brits arrived. Argentine Creoles organized a patriot army of Creoles, blacks, mulattoes, and some Spaniards and ousted the Brits. 1807- The Brits are back but they are defeated by the Creole-Spanish coalition. Creole pride and nationalism on the rise after these successful defenses. They get rid of the scaredy-cat Spanish viceroy and replace him with Santiago Liniers, a French officer in the Spanish service and a hero in the defense of Buenos Aires. 1809- Royalist coup led by conservative Spanish soldier-merchant Martin Alzaga FAILED and this made Creoles even more confident mid 1809- Central Junta sends another viceroy to Buenos Aires, but ppl are with the radical Creoles 1810- Buenos Aires hears that Central Junta has collapsed and the French are in control of Spain Led by intellectuals like Mariano Moreno and backed by Creole militia leaders like Cornelio Saavedra, Creoles called a cabildo abierto (open city council) to discuss the future of the nation They disposed the viceroy and named a revolutionary junta to govern Argentina Buenos Aires is deciding its own destiny Virtual free trade is decreed; ppl who resisted changes were exiled or executed 1816- Argentina is independent Growing rivalries between the city of Buenos Aires and the interior provinces of Argentina in the 19th century Interior provinces did not share the worldview of portenos (citizens of the port city of Buenos Aires), who dominated the affairs of the nation Portenos looked overseas for their prosperity, free trade = good Self-sufficiency marked economic life of the interior provinces, free trade = bad

Uruguay

Uruguay stimulated by the example of Buenos Aires but inhibited by the efforts of Buenos Aires to keep Uruguay within the Argentine nation Brazilians try to capitalize on Uruguay's problems and incorporate it into Brazil Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, becomes focal point of royalist resistance Uruguayan Creole patriots were driven into temporary alliances sometimes w/ patriots of Buenos Aires to oppose Spanish royalists; sometimes w/ royalists to oppose ambitious Argentines Sometimes they were so overwhelmed by invading Argentine, Brazilians, and royalists, that they fled their own homeland Guacho (cowboy?) chieftain Jose Gervasio Artigas emerged as the hero of Uruguayan independence. He was born to a well-to-do Creole family, but adopted the life of a guacho smuggler and cattle rustler. Lived a semi-nomadic life of herding. 1811- Spanish viceroy in Montevido declared war on the patriots of Buenos Aires Uruguayans issued a called to arms, "Grito de Auncion" and the war was joined in Uruguay Spanish viceroy, Franciscp Elio asked the Portuguese king who was in Brazil for help, and they did

Simón Bolívar

Venezuelan military leader who was instrumental in the revolutions against the Spanish empire. South American soldier who was instrumental in the continent's revolutions against the Spanish empire. Born into wealth, he was sent to Spain for his education, soon deciding to immerse himself in the political sphere in Europe. After France invaded Spain in 1808, he became involved in the resistance movement and played a key role in the Spanish American fight for independence. In 1825, the "Republic of Bolivia" was created in honor of the inspirational leader, hailed by many as El Libertador (The Liberator). He died on December 17, 1830 in Colombia.