Latin American Wars of Independence

Latin American Wars of Independence

• Series of conflicts that took place from 1810 to 1826 in Latin America
• Aimed to gain independence from Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule
• Led to the creation of sovereign nations in Latin America
• Key figures: Simón Bolívar, José de San Martín, Antonio José de Sucre

New Granada

• Region in South America that corresponds to modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama
• Established in 1717 as a viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire
• Capital city: Bogotá
• Key economic activities: mining, agriculture, trade

Spanish Colonization

• Began in the 16th century with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors
• Spanish colonization led to the exploitation of indigenous peoples and the imposition of Catholicism
• Encomienda system: granted Spanish colonizers control over indigenous labor and resources
• Key figures: Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, Sebastián de Belalcázar

Colombian Independence Movement

• Began in the late 18th century with the influence of Enlightenment ideas
• Key events:
  • 1794: Antonio Nariño translates and publishes the French Declaration of the Rights of Man
  • 1809: First cries for independence in New Granada
  • 1810: Formation of the first independent juntas
  • 1819: Battle of Boyacá: Simón Bolívar defeats Spanish forces, leading to Colombian independence
• Key figures:
  • Simón Bolívar: led the military campaign for independence
  • Antonio Nariño: early advocate for independence
  • Francisco de Paula Santander: supported Bolívar's military campaign