Latin American revolutionary movements in the early 19th century were led by creoles seeking independence from European colonial powers like Spain and Portugal. By the 1820s and 1830s, most Latin American states had gained independence, though political instability and authoritarian rule by military dictators were common. Independence did little to improve the conditions of indigenous and slave populations. Throughout the late 1800s, new revolutionary movements emerged seeking land reform, secular rule, and greater political participation as Latin American nations struggled with foreign economic domination and conflicts over land and resources with native groups.

1. Latin America Revolutionary Movements

2. Population of Latin America in 1800: About 30,000 peninsulares who control government (born in Spain) About 3.5 million creoles with significant wealth (New World whites)

3. About 10 million slaves, mixed race, and indigenous people Creoles wanted to displace the peninsulares, not share power with the majority From 1810 to 1825 Creole led movements gained independence from Spain and Portugal

4. By about 1850 most lands in Americas had gained independence from European powers Smaller Latin American states often under military dictatorship

5. Economic Themes

6. Economy came to be dominated by European capital and labor Resented by many Latin American natives Industrialization marginally successful Control of industry and exports remained in foreign hands

7. Revolution in Latin America

8. Events in Europe triggered Latin American Revolutions Napoleon conquered Spain in 1808 and made his brother, Joseph, king By 1810, creoles rebelled in several parts of Latin America

9. Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin led armies against Spanish rule

10. By 1824, Bolivar establishes Gran Colombia

11. Gran Columbia later broke into three independent nations Venezuela, Columbia, and Ecuador This created political instability

16. Conflict with Indigenous Peoples

17. Land claimed for agriculture and ranching pushed indigenous people out During mid 1800's Europeans had taken productive land and forced indigenous people into marginal land or forced them to Europeanize

18. Caudillos (dictators) Heroes of wars of independence were military leaders Appealed to populist sentiment to maintain political power