South American Revolution Research Paper

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South American countries simultaneously created revolutions against its Spanish colonist rule. The South American Revolution overthrew the Spanish rule. The revolutionary ideals of other countries inspired South American countries to fight for economic, social, and governmental changes along with the changes need to be made because of the domestic problems. However, despite the victory of independence from Spain, not many social, economic, or governmental changes were found. Goals of the revolution was not just for independence but for social and economic equality, and a different government. Despite the South American countries gaining its freedom from the Spanish colonist’s rule, drastic issues regarding equality and the system of government…show more content…
Leaders of the revolution were inspired by these international influences. “The examples and precedents set by the French and the American revolutions inspired them to work towards their goals” (South American Independence 1). Educated creoles (“the European-descended Latin Americans who owned the haciendas, ranches, and mines”) (Ellis 225) read the works of philosophes and translated the Declaration of Independence. The ideals of “liberty, equality, and fraternity” were spread and wanted for people’s own countries. The ideas of Father Hidalgo from Mexico spread and inspired Jose Morelos, another priest, to continue with the drive for revolution. Mexico and Central America successfully won its independence from Spain and gave South America the hope that independence was possible too. Also, Napoleon Bonaparte’s control of Spain weakened Spain’s dominance in Latin American colonies. This allowed the South American colonies to set up their own governments and spread ideas centralizing the topic of independence while the Spanish King was taken out of…show more content…
Before Simón Bolívar’s death, he wrote “We have achieved our independence at the expense of everything else” (Ellis. 231). After gaining independence from Spain, power struggles for the South American countries with other rival leaders began. This triggered destructive civil wars and ruined Simón Bolívar’s goal of a unified nation, Gran Colombia. South American countries also struggled to establish a stable government and an even longer struggle for a democracy. “During and after independence, political rights continued to be denied to over half the population of Latin America on the basis of sexual difference…”(Brewster 1). Social status, in terms of middle class, was improved because certain social classes did not legally hold power over the best jobs, thus giving majority of the population the same opportunity for payment. These rights however were designed for only one gender, male. Under Napoleonic rule, changing the form of government in South American countries was often made impossible because of the more powerful outside forces. For example in Brazil, monarchy remained until 1889. Napoleon forced the Portuguese royals into Brazil when Napoleon armies conquered Portugal. Dom Pedro, the son of the Portuguese King, was left to rule Brazil and was instructed, “If Brazil demands independence, proclaim it yourself and put the crown on your own head” (Ellis 231) by the Portuguese King. The reign of Dom Pedro

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