Latin American Independence: Causes, Process, and Spanish Enlightenment

Causes of Independence

• Latin American cities grew, becoming disconnected from Spain.
• Middle classes were influenced by liberal ideas from the French and American Revolutions.
• Creoles were excluded from important colonial positions.
• Britain supported independence to access South American markets.

Process of Independence

The process was violent. Fernando VII refused any agreement. In Mexico, social unrest led by Morelos and Hidalgo resulted in an indigenous uprising. Clerics were executed.

In South America, major rebellions occurred in Nueva Granada and Buenos Aires, led by Bolivar and San Martin. They met in Guayaquil, after which San Martin withdrew, ceding to Bolívar.

Their goal of a unified South America failed due to regional differences. The Battle of Ayacucho (1824), won by General Antonio José Sucre, secured Peru's independence.

Spanish Enlightenment

Enlightenment ideas influenced Spain. The king supported enlightened authors like Jerome Feijo, who criticized traditional prejudices.

The Church continued censorship. Scientific advances, like heliocentrism, were discussed in intellectual circles.

Key figures of the Spanish Enlightenment held important political posts and favored educational renewal.

Societies like the Friends of the Country emerged, formed by nobles and bourgeoisie.

Academies, protected by the king, defended cultural aspects. The crown sponsored scientific expeditions for geographical and botanical information.