The Enlightenment Influence On Latin American Revolutions

A revolution, by definition, is the overthrow of one government followed by replacement with another. The American Revolution against the British during 1775 to 1783 and the French Revolution pitting the French people against their own government during 1789 to 1799 were both very important political and social turnovers. This movement towards the establishment of a constitutional government influenced political thought throughout the world. By closely examining three of the main causes of these revolutions, it is clear that although the two revolutions have their differences, the basis of cause for the revolutions have, overall, much stronger similarities.

There were a few main points that led up to the Latin American independence movement. In, 1797 the Britain blockade of Spain took place for two years, which cut off

It was during the late half of the eighteenth century that would experience a series of turbulence across the Atlantic World. In a time that can be called an era of revolution, the Atlantic World faced a multitude of uprisings. The American Revolution in 1765 would be the start of the age of revolutions, and would later inspire the revolutions of other countries across the Atlantic, such as the French Revolution in 1789, the Haitian Revolution in 1791, and later the Latin American Revolutions during the early nineteenth century. The events of these revolutions created shockwaves across the Atlantic that would bring new developments that had a lasting impact on the world. However, since slavery was an integral part to what had transpired in

On July 4, 1776. An unprecedented event occurred that will change the world forever. A colony successfully won its own war against their mother nation, and became a newly formed independent country. The idea of nations breaking apart and forming new countries took the world by storm. Soon after, countries residing in Latin America also began to break away from their mother land. By the 1900’s many Latin American countries were form. One of these newly formed nation is Mexico. I will be comparing the American Revolution to the Mexican Revolution The American revolution was fueled by the rage of the colonists in retaliation against the way King George the Third was ruling.

Throughout history, humanity has always yearned for better. When a leader, as an individual or an entire government, ceases to fuel their nation’s drive for better, the citizens take it into their own hands. From this sovereignty of the people, the idea of revolution is born. This idea has become prominent many times. One can analyze a country like France. Due to the government’s selfish actions, the third estate revolted. In countries like Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico, the citizens were tired of strict rule from a power that is an ocean away. This caused the people in Latin America to revolt against their leader, Spain. Although the French and Latin American Revolutions both were inspired by the American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas, the French Revolution was vastly unsuccessful compared to the Latin American Revolution which brought freedom to many countries.

After the age of enlightenment, colonies and nations around the world began questioning their rulers and ruling nations. Liberal and nationalist ideas spread across Europe and the world, especially after the French Revolution. When these beliefs spread to the colonies of America, independence movements and revolts occurred. The Latin American revolution and Haitian revolution were both significant events during the 19th century that affected both their respective nations and the world. While both revolutions resulted similarly such that a social hierarchy based on race existed after independence, they differ in that while the Latin American revolutions placed an emphasis on ending the Spanish casta system, Haitian revolution was based on freeing slaves.

From 1750 to 1914, several important revolutionary processes occurred in the Americas, including those of North America and Latin America. The North American and Spanish American Revolutions were similar in that they both shared the common goal of liberation from the foreign colonial governments that ruled over them. However they differed in that there was no goal for social reform in the American Revolution, but in the Haitian Revolution the slaves had the goal of social reform of the rigid social class system. Another difference between the revolutionary processes in the two regions is that the American Revolution was successful and had stable and positive long-term outcomes, but the Haitian Revolution and Latin American Revolution were

Both Latin American revolutions and the American revolution were different in term of cause and the result it brought with it. For example, it was much easier for the Americans to gain independence than the Latin Americans because of the unity they manage to take and keep despite the discontent each colonist had against each other. Both of these revolutions were fighting for independence from the Old World because they could not stand the strict systems, applied to them by their mother countries, that prevented the development of a rapidly growing colonial economy. These policies were designed to maximize the trade of a nation to bring money into the suppressing powers but not for the colonists themselves.

When America had their revolution, it began to give Mexico their own ideas for their revolution. There was a war known as The Peninsular War which weakened Spain. The Castas system caused tension between locals and the Peninsular which was born in Spain. The Bourbon reforms had many economic effects and limited local power. The Royal Fifth was a 20% tax. In the incubation stage Miguel de Hidalgo (Leader of the revolution against Spain) was captured at the Battle of Calderon Bridge in 1811. Congress of Chipancingo declared their independence in 1813. In the symptomatic stage General Augustin seized the capitol in 1821. One of the Mexican advantages was that Spain had government problems because of Napolean. Spain is at war with France and Mexico is fighting on their turf. One of the Spanish advantages was conflict between creoles and inhabitants. Next in the crisis stage Iturbide becomes emperor of Mexico and is quickly deposed. Mexico becomes a republic. Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico in 1833 and again 10 other times. Santa Anna was also a self-proclaimed dictator at different times. Constitution was approved by congress in 1917. And finally in the convalescent stage there was a loss of protection from Spain. Over half a million Mexicans died in the revolution. And eventually there was Texas revolution, the Mexican-American war, and a civil war arguing over what kind of government should be

captures of the ideas they were fighting for: liberty, equality, and rights.1 News of this overthrowing of the government reached many places, one of those being Latin America. During the colonial period, a great social gap developed between the peninsulares (Spanish people born in

The Latin American revolution did not fulfill the goals of the revolution. Although they gained independence from Spain, the social construct did not change. This is the opposite of the Haitian Revolution. In Haiti, the slaves fought against slavery in many violent protest including burning of plantations. Ultimately, the whole social construct reversed from French officials and les grands blancs on top and the slaves on the bottom to les grands blancs not being a part of society and the slaves on top. In the long run, the large plantations supported the whole economy of Haiti and once slavery was abolished, the small farms did not come close to the same profit. In this way, the economical impact of the revolution was not successful, but the

Simon Bolivar, who had a reputation of being a liberator, took center stage. The common folk began to trust his words, as he talked about fighting for the resources that were theirs, ideals taken directly from the American Revolution itself. Also with the power struggle created by the Napoleonic wars, uprisings began. The most prominent of this movement was the uprising in Chuquisaca in 1809, which led to the formation of the Government Juntas. This group focused on taking the power from the Spanish and giving it to the people. Seeing the movement in Bolivia take shape, Latin Nations such as Peru began to provide military support to Bolivian liberators. Surprisingly, America didn’t live up to its reputation, having no negative impact on this revolution. Normally, America had been notorious for backing up the dictators or colonial powers and suppressing the Latin liberators. All in all, the combination of a power struggle brought upon by foreign wars, introduction of revolutionary independence ideals, proper leadership, and foreign aid, the Bolivian revolution was successful in liberating the nation from Spanish Colonial power after 16 years of conflict.

Early 19th century marked the end of colonization in Latin America; the countries in the region began to form their own governments, while under threat from each other. Oligarchy was a common form of government in the Latin American region, and was led by the privileged. With the years that followed, the region was thrown into political chaos, and the government was often to blame.

In the years following the Congress of Vienna, revolts plagued many European countries as well as several areas in Latin America. France was driven from Haiti, Portugal lost control of Brazil, and Spain was forced to withdraw from all its American empire except for Cuba and Puerto Rico. Colonial government in South America came to an end. Three countries where revolts were successfully established were Haiti, Venezuela, and Brazil. The countries in Latin America benefited from the revolts because they became free from colonial rule, but, except for Brazil, they were left with many consequences.

In 1815 the restored Spanish monarchy dispatched the largest army it had ever sent to the New World. It waged a war of counter-revolutionary terror. The creole patriot movement in Venezuela was shattered by executions and confiscations. By 1816 the revolution seemed to be on the brink of defeat.