The History of Latin America: the Independence Era (1807-1825)
The Independence movement in Latin America, which had been simmering since the United States broke away from Great Britain in 1776, came to a boil around 1810. Spain's Empire in the New World crumbled, and by 1825 all that remained were a few islands in the Caribbean. This passionate, violent era in the history of Latin America is particularly fascinating.
Independence from Spain: Francisco de Miranda's 1806 Invasion of Venezuela
In 1806, legendary Venezuelan patriot led a force of some 500 volunteers in an attack on mainland South America, seeking to kick off a war of independence which would free Latin America from Spanish rule. Although the invaders were quickly driven off, the bold attack remains an important milestone in South American Independence.
In 1806, legendary Venezuelan patriot led a force of some 500 volunteers in an attack on mainland South America, seeking to kick off a war of independence which would free Latin America from Spanish rule. Although the invaders were quickly driven off, the bold attack remains an important milestone in South American Independence.
Francisco de Miranda, Precursor of Latin American Independence
Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816) was a Venezuelan patriot, adventurer and general who made important contributions early in Latin America's struggle for independence from Spain.
Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816) was a Venezuelan patriot, adventurer and general who made important contributions early in Latin America's struggle for independence from Spain.
Mexico's War For Independence: the Battle of Monte de las Cruces
In late October of 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo led an angry mob of close to 80,000 poor Mexicans towards Mexico City. The residents of the city were terrified. Every available royalist soldier was sent out to meet Hidalgo's army, and on October 30 the two armies met at Monte de las Cruces. Would arms and discipline prevail over numbers and rage?
In late October of 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo led an angry mob of close to 80,000 poor Mexicans towards Mexico City. The residents of the city were terrified. Every available royalist soldier was sent out to meet Hidalgo's army, and on October 30 the two armies met at Monte de las Cruces. Would arms and discipline prevail over numbers and rage?
Mexican Independence - The Siege of Guanajuato
On September 28, 1810, an angry mass of Mexican insurgents led by Father Miguel Hidalgo descended on the hapless mining city of Guanajuato. The Spaniards in the city quickly organized a defense, fortifying the public granary. The mob of thousands was not to be denied, however, and after a five-hour siege the granary was overrun and all inside massacred.
On September 28, 1810, an angry mass of Mexican insurgents led by Father Miguel Hidalgo descended on the hapless mining city of Guanajuato. The Spaniards in the city quickly organized a defense, fortifying the public granary. The mob of thousands was not to be denied, however, and after a five-hour siege the granary was overrun and all inside massacred.
Mexican Independence: Biography of Ignacio Allende
Ignacio Allende was a Mexican cavalry captain and an early fighter for Mexican Independence. He was present at the famous "Cry of Dolores" and fought with Father Miguel Hidalgo before both men were betrayed, captured and executed in 1811.
Ignacio Allende was a Mexican cavalry captain and an early fighter for Mexican Independence. He was present at the famous "Cry of Dolores" and fought with Father Miguel Hidalgo before both men were betrayed, captured and executed in 1811.
Mexican Independence: The Cry of Dolores
On September 16, 1810, unlikely revolutionary Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, village priest of the town of Dolores, rang the church bell and exhorted his congregation to join him in taking up arms to drive the Spanish out of Mexico. This speech became known as "el Grito de Dolores" or "the Cry of Dolores" and it launched Mexico's War of Independence.
On September 16, 1810, unlikely revolutionary Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, village priest of the town of Dolores, rang the church bell and exhorted his congregation to join him in taking up arms to drive the Spanish out of Mexico. This speech became known as "el Grito de Dolores" or "the Cry of Dolores" and it launched Mexico's War of Independence.
Biography of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Mexico's movement for independence from Spain was kicked off by an unlikely figure: Father Miguel Hidalgo, a parish priest and theologian well into his fifties. Hidalgo raised an army and took it to the very gates of Mexico City, but was eventually betrayed, captured and executed by Royalist forces. Still, he is remembered today by Mexicans as the Father of their Country.
Mexico's movement for independence from Spain was kicked off by an unlikely figure: Father Miguel Hidalgo, a parish priest and theologian well into his fifties. Hidalgo raised an army and took it to the very gates of Mexico City, but was eventually betrayed, captured and executed by Royalist forces. Still, he is remembered today by Mexicans as the Father of their Country.
Biography of Cornelio Saavedra
Cornelio Saavedra was one of the leaders of Argentina's independence movement. He served ably as leader of a ruling junta from 1810-1811, but was removed from power by those who favored a clean break from Spain.
Cornelio Saavedra was one of the leaders of Argentina's independence movement. He served ably as leader of a ruling junta from 1810-1811, but was removed from power by those who favored a clean break from Spain.
The August 10 Movement in Quito, Ecuador
On August 10, 1809, a group of citizens in Quito, Ecuador, decided that since Napoleon had invaded Spain, they no longer had to obey the Viceroy in Lima and set up their own government. The colonial administration had other ideas, and sent an army to bring them in line. Most of them were arrested in October. In August, 1810, the conspirators were massacred in a Quito dungeon.
On August 10, 1809, a group of citizens in Quito, Ecuador, decided that since Napoleon had invaded Spain, they no longer had to obey the Viceroy in Lima and set up their own government. The colonial administration had other ideas, and sent an army to bring them in line. Most of them were arrested in October. In August, 1810, the conspirators were massacred in a Quito dungeon.
Biography of Mariano Moreno
Dr. Mariano Moreno led Argentina in battles against the British and the Spanish in the early part of the nineteenth century and is today considered one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Argentina.
Dr. Mariano Moreno led Argentina in battles against the British and the Spanish in the early part of the nineteenth century and is today considered one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Argentina.
Biography of Manuela Saénz
Manuela Saénz was the mistress of Simón Bolívar, the Liberator of South America. Much more than simple arm candy for Bolívar, she was an important figure in the Independence movement in her own right, serving as a Colonel in the rebel army.
Manuela Saénz was the mistress of Simón Bolívar, the Liberator of South America. Much more than simple arm candy for Bolívar, she was an important figure in the Independence movement in her own right, serving as a Colonel in the rebel army.
José de San Martín
A Biography of José de San Martín,liberator of Argentina and Chile.
A Biography of José de San Martín,liberator of Argentina and Chile.
Simón Bolívar
A biography of Simón Bolívar, liberator of northern South America.
A biography of Simón Bolívar, liberator of northern South America.
Independence from Spain
For most of Latin America, independence from Spain came between 1806 and 1825. Each region took a different path to independence, with different leaders and battles.
For most of Latin America, independence from Spain came between 1806 and 1825. Each region took a different path to independence, with different leaders and battles.
Chavez and Bolívar
Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, said recently that he would like to reopen the famous case of the death of Simón Bolívar, who died in 1830. Why would he want to do so? Here’s the scoop.
Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, said recently that he would like to reopen the famous case of the death of Simón Bolívar, who died in 1830. Why would he want to do so? Here’s the scoop.
Antonio José de Sucre
Wikipedia entry on Antonio José de Sucre, a leader in South American Independence and Bolívar's top lieutenant.
Wikipedia entry on Antonio José de Sucre, a leader in South American Independence and Bolívar's top lieutenant.