Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin and Latin Independence

The first attempt at Independence occurred in Venezuela where Francisco de Miranda, launched an invasion into the Spanish colony, which turned out to be useless as it was easily crushed by the powerful Spanish army. Then in 1810 after King Ferdinand of Spain was taken off the throne Venezuela declared its Independence.

Simon Bolivar was born in 1783 in Caracas, Venezuela. He was a South American revolutionary, military leader, and politician known as the Liberator for his leading role in the wars of Spanish American Independence (Kinsbruner). At this time Simon Bolivar went to London and brought back Miranda who would be in charge of the Independence Movement. Venezuela’s Independence would only last fo

Uruguay known as the Banda Oriental under Spanish Rule would wait until 1823 to receive its Independence. Uruguay was part of the Viceroyalty of Rio de La Plata like Paraguay. When that Viceroyalty was defeated Uruguay started to move toward Independence. José Gervasio Artigas led the Independence Movement and with the help of Argentina they drove the Spaniards out of Montevideo (Uruguay’s capital). Uruguay was still dominated by Argentina and Artigas fought for a freed nation. The Portuguese that occupied Brazil soon attacked Uruguay and Montevideo was captured. In 1820 Brazil defeated Artigas and he was sent to Paraguay, never to return. From then on war against Brazil was fought until 1828 when with the help of Argentina; Uruguay was recognized as an Independent Nation.

The French colony of Saint-Dominique became the second nation in 1804 to become Independent in the western hemisphere, after the U.S., and this country was called Haiti. “Haiti achieved its independence after its black slave population rebelled against white slave owners” (Kinsbruner).

Central America was mostly controlled by Guatemala part of New Spain. General Gabino Gainza declared Guatemala’s Independence on September 15, 1821. They then became part of the Mexican Empire for a time and declared themselves Independent once again in 1823. The Constitution created a Federation consisting of Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Then a civil war broke out in 1826 and by 1831 the federation was broken apart into the present Central American nations.

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