We review the most outstanding aspects of the evolution of Latin America during the first half of the 19th century, comparing the different characteristics of what happened in the Portuguese and Spanish ex-colonies.
The process Independentist in the Spanish colonies
Between 1810 and 1825, the independence process was developed in Latin America Among the factors that They encouraged the independence of the thirteen English colonies in America in 1776.This was a momentous historical event, the first revolution against a colonial rule, in this case against the British Empire.The breakup of the American colonies was the origin of the United States .
The influence of the French revolution was also very strong, which produced shortly after in 1789.This movement caused the fall of the French monarchy, under the inspiration of the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity that later expanded as a flame through several countries Europe, and from their universities and other intellectual circles, to the elites of the American colonies.
The wishes of independence of the Creoles already brought a few years of history.One of the main issues that encouraged resentment towards the Spanish colonial government it was the marginalization of the colonial administration for the Creoles (those born in America ).Only the peninsular (those born in Spain ) could access the highest government positions in the colony.
Another of the tension factors was economic.The Spanish Crown maintained a strict commercial system, in which it was forced to trade with the metropolis, which it was more expensive and less conve It is for the American settlers that the Free Trade alternative, to access manufactured products, mainly those manufactured in England (remember that we are in the middle of the Industrial Revolution).
The Americans found the right time to break their ties colonial when the occupation of Spain by French troops took place between 1808 and 1814.This occupation caused the abdication of Carlos IV and Fernando VII. Asi a situation was created that the liberal Creoles considered illegitimate since the King to whom they owed their fidelity, was expelled from the throne.By this, they decided to create Government Boards, formed by local elite groups (this occurred in many of the large colonial cities), which soon embarked on an independence struggle against the viceroyalty army.
Independence in the Portuguese Colony
The processes of independence were different in the Spanish colonies and in the Portuguese colony .With the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula by Napoleon , the Portuguese Court, headed by King Juan VI , moved to Rio de Janeiro (in the current territory of Brazil ).
In 1821, the King returned to Portugal and left his son Pedro I as regent, who in 1822 declared independence and he became emperor of Brazil. Thus, while the Spanish colonies achieved their emancipation through wars against Spain, the Brazil became independent almost without conflict.
That is one of the factors that explain why the old Spanish viceroyalties disintegrated and gave rise to several smaller states while the Brazil conserv or its territorial unit.
Source:
abc
Images:
wikipedia
Video:
art history on youtube
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