The document summarizes Latin American independence movements from 1807-1824 as Spain and Portugal's colonies gained independence. It discusses the colonial empires of Spain and Portugal in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil. While the empires functioned well for three centuries, grievances among colonists regarding economic restrictions and taxes imposed by imperial powers grew in the mid-1700s. The first decades of independence saw increased political participation but fundamental social and economic structures changed little.