The Invasion of the Iberian peninsula by Napoleon caused the beginning of the end of the colonization of Latin America by the Iberians. Napoleon invaded under the guise of being a liberator and thus ''liberating' other countries into French control. Spain and Portugal were two of these" (Page 94). Napoleon's invasion was much more then just a military invasion, it was also an invasion of the ideas which fueled the French revolution, the ideas of liberalism. These ideas would cause the collapse of the colonial system in Latin America. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the puppet leader of Spain, King Ferdinand VII sent a large expedtionary force to Latin America to reestablished Spanish control over 'patriot regions'. However,
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
Colonization of Latin America is the central conflict of its history because its effects as still prevalent in the socioeconomics and politics of modern-day Latin American countries. It is because of the colonization of Latin America by the Iberians that today, the Latin American people are a multiethnic people with many descending from Europeans or Africans. The Iberians conquest resulted in the death, displacement, or enslavement of countless natives, which in turn further increased the power and draw of the encomienda system. As the encomienda system grew and became more extensive, the native population diminished and the transatlantic, African slave trade became more commonplace. This caused the multiethnic societies of Latin America today and created a social structure consisting
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.
-The long struggle (ending in 1492) during which Spanish Christians reoccurred the Iberian peninsula from Muslim occupiers.
What once was a relatively free and peaceful place started to feel the wrath of the cruel invaders. After decades of the Spanish rule, the Latin American colonies decided to finally take back what once was theirs. Latin America, under the rule of Spanish forces, faced problems. The revolutions that took place during this time were influenced by the ideas from the Age of Enlightenment.
The Mexican Revolution had much of the same results as did the French. Encouraged by both the American
The Spanish conquest of Mexico drastically influenced modern day Latin America, it generated a mixture of race, countless dialects, and religious syncretism with the Catholic faith. The conquest involved three main aspects that were crucial to its success. The rise of subdued indigenous people by the Mexica. The great devastation caused by European disease to the natives. Lastly, the Spaniards ruthlessness and military superiority. Without these aspects the conquest of Mexico might have gone a different direction
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.
Napoleon came to power in France in 1799, when he became the first consul, and shortly after that the emperor of France. The first issue he caused for the Americans was his reacquisition of the Floridas and New Orleans from Spain. Spain allowed the Americans to sail out of the port at New Orleans, but with Napoleon
The Spanish war gave the United States an empire. At the end of the Spanish war the United States took Spanish colonies such as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and many other islands. The creation of the American Empire leads to the end of the Spanish Empire. The United States wanted to build up the countries so that markets would open up and purchase American goods and to improve the American economy.
The Bourbon Reforms in Spanish America and the Pombaline Reforms in Brazil were both motivated by the European state’s interest in increasing defense, centralizing authority, and expanding economic benefits of the their Latin American colonies.
Napoleon Bonaparte will remain in the heart of many French nationals as one of the greatest military leaders that the nation has had when it comes to warfare history. In 1799, Napoleon launched a series of wars, which historian call, “Napoleonic wars” in a bid to extend the territory of France in Europe. Many historians argue that the Napoleonic wars were a continuation of the earlier war under the tag, French revolution in 1789. The French revolution in itself had so many influences in Europe, especially with the armies who felt the greatest impact of the revolution. The revolution brought with it many changes, especially in the production of modern mass weapons with the conscription in place. The new improvements in weaponry made Napoleon seek hegemony in the entire Europe sparking his quest to expand and increase the revolutionary and territorial borders of France. Napoleon, Corsican aristocrat, who was a minor, rose to the position of emperor in France because of the revolution and his idea was to sweep the entire Europe with the reforms brought about by the revolution (Dwyer 32). The idea was to liberate the continent so that all citizens had a chance to take the helm of leadership and do away with the issue of kinship rule. Napoleon was a symbol of change, and although at some point, he comes out as a dictator, he was progressive and created rationalization of governance and all the social
During Napoleon’s reign in France, Napoleon sought to control the entire island of Hispaniola through control of Spain and the reacquisition of Haiti. Harsh rule by the governors-general induced loyalists to form the movement La Reconquista to rise up in order to restore Spanish sovereignty. (Metibag 91)
Spain’s colonies in Central and South America gained their independence. This happened in 1818 and in 1824. The United States forced Spain to give Florida to them. In 1833, Ferdinand, king of Spain, died causing Spain to go into a civil war. Ferdinand wanted his daughter, Isabella, to take the throne and for Spain to stay liberal.
When the citizens’ belief that Napoleon was invincible started to wear off, and Napoleon’s reign and power started to decline, the decision was made to compensate for this loss. Napoleon, being the power hungry tyrant that he is, decided to annex Spain, to have access to Portugal. He brought over 100,000 men into war with Spain, which is now known as the peninsular war. At the time, Spain was regarded as technologically behind, so Napoleon charged into battle, overconfident. The French mercilessly killed spaniards, but the fight continued for five more years. Guerrillas, or spanish tribes armed with weapons, kept France at bay for a long period of time, resulting in a huge loss for the french people, in terms of manpower. After five long