Introduction
At the dawn of the 20th Century, the Spanish colonialism and stranglehold on countries in Latin America came to an end. The fight for independence by Latin American countries bore similarities to the American fight for independence. Occurring between the 18th and 19th Centuries, the Latin American Independence Wars culminated in the creation of several independent states, such as Brazil and Haiti, which had been colonized by Spain and the French (Da Costa, 56). Events in Europe and inspiration for democratic ideals espoused by the newly independent United States of America led revolutionaries in Latin to demand freedom from colonizers and openly revolt as they doubted the resolve of colonizers.
Reasons for Independence Fight and Colonialism Challenge in Latin America
One of the reasons that led to independence wars in Latin America was Napoleon’s conquest of much of Europe and especially Spain. The occupation of Spain by French forces between 1808 and 1814 inspired revolutionaries in Spanish colonies to revolt (Da Costa 63). The defeat of Spanish forces in Europe diminished its credibility, stoking a revolutionary spirit that eventually sparked revolutionary wars of independence. The overseas Spanish empire reacted to the domestic crisis by openly undermining Spanish rule and calling for an end to colonialism. Areas recently concurred by Spanish forces were the first to break rank with their master, while countries where Spanish rule was entrenched declared their independence later on.
Another reason for the Latin American revolutionary wars was the disintegration of the Spanish dream of a unified empire in Latin America after the invasion by Napoleon (Da Costa 73). After the occupation of Spain, the direct link between the colonies and the colonial master was severed, creating circumstances for decolonization. The subsequent subdivision of the Spanish mainland and territories under its control in Latin America further weakened Spain. Liberalism espoused by the French revolutionaries inspired revolutionaries in the colonies to aspire to self-determination and self-rule. These territories leveraged their military strength with help from mercenaries of French and American descent. The domestic turmoil in Spain after the invasion by Napoleon had cascading effects that eventually led to freedom for countries in Latin America, such as Brazil.
In Haiti, burgeoning African and European populations disillusioned with French rule that restricted foreign trade served as catalysts for the independence revolution that saw Haiti declare its independence shortly after the US (Helg 8). After years of brutal repression of uprisings in the French colony of Haiti, the free blacks in Haiti and the slaves, inspired by the enlightenment ideals, organized and demanded their freedom which the French granted in 1804 (Helg 10). At the time, no other country in Latin America had gained its independence. Thus, Haiti served as an inspiration for freedom and self-rule from Mexico to Brazil.
The revolutionary effort of some of Latin America’s elite, such as Simón Bolívar, propelled many countries in South America, including his home country of Venezuela, to declare their independence. Bolívar belonged to a wealthy and aristocratic family and had studied in France and Spain from the age of 16 (Helg 11). During his studies in Europe, Bolívar studied the enlightenment ideals which inspired him to replace the Spanish rulers in his home country and region. Capitalizing on the chaos and dysfunction in Spain following its war with Napoleon, Bolívar started a movement for Venezuela’s independence and appealed to other wealthy and aristocratic families to join his cause. Sensing a revolution against its rule, Spain sent several expeditionary forces to the region to quell the resistance. Despite hardships in the journey to liberate the region from Spanish control, eventually, the revolutionaries prevailed.
Buoyed by the defeat of Spain in Venezuela, Bolívar formed the first union of independent states in Latin America and assumed its presidency from 1819 to 1830 (Helg 11). Through sustained military campaigns, Bolívar defeated Spain in three other countries and simultaneously served as president of all these liberated territories. Bolívar aspired for Latin America unity and ruled vast territories from Argentina to the Caribbean Sea at the height of his power. However, as more territories gained independence, opposition grew to his dream of a united Latin America leading to the creation of sovereign states as they exist in the present day.
Colonialism Legacies
The challenge for the newly created independent states of Latin America, including Haiti and Brazil, was to replace colonial institutions with institutions that reflect the values and ideals of the now free people. In Brazil, in particular, the new state with liberal views suited to the country was organized around an elite few, alienating majorities of its citizens who had fought for independence(Sanders 124). Despite professing liberal views, the newly independent state of Brazil bore striking similarities with its colonial master. Like their colonial master before them, the newly formed independent states built machinery and governance structures around them that would protect their interest from extreme violence if necessary. The concentration of power to a small group of individuals is still rampant in parts of Latin America today and has been a concern for the free in those countries leading to multiple revolutions and coups over the decades since independence.
As new states continued to gain independence from their colonial master Spain, a new, more modern, and republican society emerged. Despite their many similarities in the power structures, Latin American countries, especially Brazil, established a post-colonialism society that enjoyed the benefits of modernity with citizen rights guaranteed. This was contrary to the previous system, which prioritized aristocrats and wealthy families at the expense of the majority poor (Sanders 117). Successive regimes build on the successes of the new society leading to stability in Brazil guaranteed by strong institutions in an otherwise violent and unstable neighborhood. Brazil has mostly avoided the violent revolutions in Latin America because of the steps the country took after gaining its independence.
Conclusion
The struggle for independence in Latin America culminated in the independence of states such as Brazil, Haiti, and other independent states in the region. The fight for independence was a long struggle sparked by Spanish domestic turmoil after its concur by Napoleon, revolutionary efforts by individuals such as Simón Bolívar, Spanish loss of credibility in the eyes of its subjects, and a desire for American or French-style freedom. Some legacies of colonialism, however, still exist in States such as Brazil that built strong republics that guaranteed rights to all its citizens. However, in other countries in the region, power was consolidated by a smaller group of people leading to multiple revolutions and counterrevolutions.
Works Cited
Da Costa, Emilia Viotti. “Liberalism: Theory and Practice.” The Brazilian Empire: Myths & Histories, by Da Costa Emilia Viotti, Univ. of North Carolina Press, 2000, pp. 53–77.
Helg, Aline. “Simón Bolívar’s Republic: A Bulwark against the ‘Tyranny’ of the Majority.” Revista De Sociologia e Política, vol. 20, no. 42, 8 Aug. 2012, pp. 21–37.
Sanders, James E. “The Vanguard of the Atlantic World: Contesting Modernity in Nineteenth-Century Latin America.” Latin American Research Review, vol. 46, pp. 104–127. 2011.