Leaders of the Independence
Movement in Latin America
GPS: SS6H2bCreated by Kim West
Think about this . . .
Why would a person or group of
people want to lead a revolt?
Do people still lead revolts
today?
A Call for Change
• The countries of Spain and Portugal controlled
most of Latin American for almost 300 years.
• The people of Latin America grew restless and
were tired of being controlled by the
Europeans. They wanted to be free.
• Revolutions in America and France encouraged
the people of Latin America to fight for their
freedom.
Haitian Revolution
Haitian Revolution
• Saint Domingue, present-day Haiti, was
colonized and controlled by the French
(country of France).
• When the French Revolution occurred in 1789
the new government of France granted
freedom to all free blacks and Mulattoes.
• This made the farmers upset.
Haitian Revolution
• In response, the French government changed
their minds and took back the freedom given
to all free blacks and Mulattoes.
• The slaves were also upset.
François-Dominique
Toussaint L’Ouverture
• Born a slave, he was a military
and political leader that led
the Haitian Revolution.
• He led a slave army that
defeated French troops.
• He also controlled Saint
Domingue.
• He was later captured by the
French, put in prison and died
shortly after. He never lived
to see Haiti become a free
country.
Miguel Hidalgo
• Miguel Hidalgo is known as
he father of Mexican
Independence.
• He was a priest who led a
peasant (very poor people)
army against the Spanish
army in Mexico. (Mexico was
once controlled by the
Spanish.)
Miguel Hidalgo
• Hidalgo grew up with a good
education and family and
thought that is was unfair
how the peasants of Mexico
were being treated compared
to Spanish born people.
• When the French invaded
Spanish controlled Mexico
Hidalgo and a group of
friends thought that it was
time for Mexico to fight for its
freedom.
Miguel Hidalgo
• Unfortunately, Miguel Hidalgo
never lived to see Mexico
gain its independence.
• He was captured, tried for
treason (for being a traitor),
and executed by the Spanish.
Simon Bolivar
• Simon Bolivar was a leader
in wars against the Spanish
for the independence of
South America.
• He is known as “The
Liberator” of South
America.
• The countries of Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador,
Panama, Peru, and
Venezuela won their
independence because of
his efforts.
Simon Bolivar
• Bolivar was born in
Venezuela to a very
wealthy family.
• Like Miguel Hidalgo, Bolivar
was upset about the unfair
treatment of the people by
the Spanish.
• He led different groups
against the Spanish and in
1824 finally defeated the
Spanish for the last time to
end their rule in South
America.
Simon Bolivar
• He was the president of
several South American
countries.
• The country of Bolivia is
named after him.
• He wanted to create one
large South American
country called Gran
Colombia.