Leaders of the Independence

Movement in Latin America

GPS: SS6H2b- Created by Kim West

Think about this . . .

Why would a person or group of

people want to lead a revolt?

Do people still lead revolts

today?

A Call for Change

• The countries of Spain and Portugal controlled most of Latin American for almost 300 years.

• The people of Latin America grew restless and were tired of being controlled by the Europeans. They wanted to be free.

• Revolutions in America and France encouraged the people of Latin America to fight for their freedom.

Haitian Revolution

Haitian Revolution • Saint Domingue, present-day Haiti, was

colonized and controlled by the French (country of France).

• When the French Revolution occurred in 1789 the new government of France granted freedom to all free blacks and Mulattoes.

• This made the farmers upset.

Haitian Revolution • In response, the French government changed

their minds and took back the freedom given to all free blacks and Mulattoes.

• The slaves were also upset.

François-Dominique

Toussaint L’Ouverture

• Born a slave, he was a military and political leader that led the Haitian Revolution.

• He led a slave army that defeated French troops.

• He also controlled Saint Domingue.

• He was later captured by the French, put in prison and died shortly after. He never lived to see Haiti become a free country.

Miguel Hidalgo

• Miguel Hidalgo is known as he father of Mexican Independence.

• He was a priest who led a peasant (very poor people) army against the Spanish army in Mexico. (Mexico was once controlled by the Spanish.)

Miguel Hidalgo

• Hidalgo grew up with a good education and family and thought that is was unfair how the peasants of Mexico were being treated compared to Spanish born people.

• When the French invaded Spanish controlled Mexico Hidalgo and a group of friends thought that it was time for Mexico to fight for its freedom.

Miguel Hidalgo

• Unfortunately, Miguel Hidalgo never lived to see Mexico gain its independence.

• He was captured, tried for treason (for being a traitor), and executed by the Spanish.

Simon Bolivar

• Simon Bolivar was a leader in wars against the Spanish for the independence of South America.

• He is known as “The Liberator” of South America.

• The countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela won their independence because of his efforts.

Simon Bolivar

• Bolivar was born in Venezuela to a very wealthy family.

• Like Miguel Hidalgo, Bolivar was upset about the unfair treatment of the people by the Spanish.

• He led different groups against the Spanish and in 1824 finally defeated the Spanish for the last time to end their rule in South America.

Simon Bolivar

• He was the president of several South American countries.

• The country of Bolivia is named after him.

• He wanted to create one large South American country called Gran Colombia.