American Independence: Causes, Events, and Consequences
Causes of American Independence
Causes of American Independence
- Influence of Enlightenment ideas.
- The American Revolution, French Revolution, and Spanish War of Independence encouraged some of the colonists to fight for their own freedom.
- Great Britain gave financial assistance to the supporters of independence.
- The Creole wanted political and economic control of the colonies and an end to their dependence on Spain.
The Sequence of Events (Movements)
The Sequence of Events (Movements)
- Began during the Spanish War of Independence, when the colonies refused to accept Joseph I as King of Spain. As in Spain, the colonists created councils.
- Viceroyalty of New Spain (Mexico): Hidalgo led a social uprising of Indians and mestizos against the Spanish authorities.
- Viceroyalty of New Granada (Santa Fe de Bogotá) and the Captaincy General of Venezuela: Simon Bolivar led a liberal bourgeois revolution which ended with the proclamation of the First Venezuelan Republic.
- Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata (Buenos Aires): Jose de San Martin led a series of revolts which spread from Argentina, Chile, across Uruguay, and to the Viceroyalty of Peru. Paraguay declared its independence in 1811.
- Fernando VII returned to the throne and sent troops to America to end the revolts.
- The process of independence advanced thanks to British military and economic support.
- The military victories of José de San Martin and the Chilean General O’ Higgins at Chacabuco and Maipú led to Chile’s independence.
- Simon Bolivar defeated the Spanish at Carabobo and Pichincha. He established Gran Colombia.
- The military victory of General Sucre at Ayacucho led to the independence of Peru and Bolivia.
- During the first half of the 19th century, all of Spain’s American colonies gained their independence, except for Cuba and Puerto Rico.
The Consequences of Independence
The Consequences of Independence
- Spain lost its hegemony over Latin America. The loss of the American colonies reduced Spain’s international prestige and power. Spain became a second-rate power. The Spanish economy suffered, especially the Catalan manufacturing industry. Spain lost its trade monopoly over the American colonies.
- Consequences for New South American countries: Creole gained the political and economic power. New countries were formed (Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico). Most of the new republics now came under the influence of Great Britain, until the Monroe Doctrine, in which the United States President warned the European powers not to interfere in America. The establishment of free trade damaged the economies of many countries.
Romanticism in Spain
Romanticism in Spain
- Developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- In architecture, the Neo-Mudejar style developed, which imitated the Mudejar style of the Middle Ages (Gran Teatro Falla in Cádiz). Bullrings were also built in this style, such as the Monumental in Barcelona and Las Ventas in Madrid.
- Spanish Romantic painting depicted historical events and popular traditions. The main painter was Antonio Gisbert, who painted historical scenes (The visit of King Amadeo).
The Reign of Fernando VII
Absolutist Phase
Absolutist phase:
Fernando enjoyed the support of the Spanish people, the Cadiz Cortes, and the absolutists. The Cadiz Cortes hoped for the Constitution, while the absolutists wanted a return to the Ancien Régime, as outlined in the “Persian Manifesto.” Fernando dismissed the Cortes, abolished the Constitution, and re-established absolute monarchy.
Liberal Phase
Liberal phase:
Some liberals organized military coups designed to overthrow absolutism. A coup led by Riego and Quiroga succeeded. Fernando was forced to reinstate the Constitution and to guarantee the freedoms.
Ominous Decade
Ominous decade:
Fernando asked the Holy Alliance for help. They sent a French army “The 100,000 Sons of St. Louis,” who defeated the liberals. Fernando re-established the absolute monarchy and persecuted the liberals.