Colonial Latin America Society and Structures

Iberian Peninsula Colonization of South America

• Spain and Portugal controlled much of South America, with Portugal primarily controlling Brazil and Spain controlling the rest, including parts of Mexico.
• Individuals from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) traveled to South America seeking wealth, often for two-year periods.
• "Creoles" were European-descended people born in Latin America. Conflicts arose between Creoles and those from the Iberian Peninsula.

Social Structures in Colonial Latin America

• Haciendas were large estates owned by landlords, employing workers. Many estates in South America had significant native American populations working for Portuguese owners.
• Mestizos were children of European and Native American ancestry.
• Mulattos were children of European and African ancestry.
• Creoles were white people born in Latin America.
• Peninsulares were Spaniards born in Spain.
• British policies discouraged interracial marriage with native Americans.

Haitian Revolution

• The Haitian Revolution, launched by slaves, was the first successful Latin American revolution.
• A force of approximately 100,000 slaves led this uprising.
• Toussaint Louverture, a former slave, was a key leader in ending slavery.
• Haiti became the first independent nation in Latin American in 1804.
• France attempted to regain control of Haiti but was significantly affected by malaria and ultimately defeated.
• Haiti paid France reparations for over a century, a payment ending in 1960.

Latin American Independence Movements

• Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín were Creole leaders in the fight for Latin American independence from Spain.
• They fought Spanish armies in various Latin American locations.
• Facing significant logistical challenges, the revolutionaries negotiated with native populations where necessary.
• The decisive showdown occurred in Peru where the Spanish forces were defeated.
• Caudillos emerged as regional leaders after independence.

Mexican Independence

• Mexico's fight for independence began September 16, 1810. Miguel Hidalgo's "Grito de Dolores" spurred the fight against Spanish rule.
• The eleven-year struggle included significant leaders like Miguel Hidalgo, José María Morelos, and Vicente Guerrero.
• Mexico gained independence on September 27, 1821, marking a key moment for Latin America.

Explore the complex social structures and colonial dynamics of Latin America during the Iberian colonization. This quiz delves into the roles of Creoles, Mestizos, and Mulattos, as well as the economic systems like haciendas. Understand how colonial policies influenced social hierarchies and interactions between different ethnic groups.