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Independence Movements of America and Latin America

            There were many similarities between the causes of the American Revolution in 1776 and the Latin American Wars of Independence beginning in 1810. The main similarities between the two independence movements are essentially economical, political, and ideological. Both the United States and Latin America wanted to end the rule of a mother country whose mercantilist system impeded the development of a growing colonial economy. "The goal of mercantilism was the creation of a self-sufficient empire from which foreign trade and commerce were excluded; the domination of vital trade routes; and the acquisition of abundant stores of gold and silver by the mother country. Mercantilism was designed to gird a nation for war by recruiting its economic strength and crippling that of its rivals" "(Miller 4). The two began to feel the need for self-rule without the interference of allegedly tyrannical governments. Both independence movements were greatly influenced by the revolutionary ideas of the Enlightenment. The causes of the American Revolution and the Latin American Wars of Independence were similar in many aspects.
             The Latin American and American independence movements were caused in part by similar economic reasons. The British Empire of which George III became sovereign in 1760 was shaped largely by the principles of mercantilism. After seventy years of economic autonomy caused by salutary neglect, Britain's deliberate neglect of its colonies in attempt to stimulate the colonial economy and therefore stimulate Britain's own economy, the colonists were threatened by sudden intervention in their economic activities. The Navigation Acts enacted by the English Parliament during the 17th century were mercantilism translated into statute law. These acts were English mercantilism's most important expression. "By mercantilist theory, the function of colonies was to produce raw factures and to foster its shipping; and the purpose of the Navigation Acts was to ensure that the English colonies fulfilled these ends" "(Miller 4).


Essays Related to Independence Movements of America and Latin America

1. Colonial Latin America

... within colonial Latin America society lead to the independence movements. The largest factor in Latin America that lead to the independence movements was the tension between classes. A second factor that lead to independence movements was that of racial tensions and a last reason was a sense of nationalism began to grow in the colonies. These three reasons and many more lead to revolts and revolutions against the mother countries. Tension between classes was one of the biggest reasons ... fight the governments to gain independence. At first many of the revolts were unorganized and didn'...

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2. Latin American Independence

... and military movements ended colonial rule by Spain and Portugal over Mexico, Central America, and South America and gave birth to the modern independent nations of Latin America. There were many contributing factors that ultimately led to the uprising of Latin American colonies, but the ultimate reason why Latin America decided to attain independence was because they were tried of being oppressed by Europe and the Spanish Crown. In the following paragraphs, I will explain the causes of the movements of independence and ... prove that this was the uprising of an oppressed nation. One of...

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3. The Resurgence Of Mid-Latitude Attitudes

... from its holdings. An economist named Adam Smith argued for the idea of liberalism. This ideology would break down trade barriers between the countries and allow free trade among the colonies. Periods of economic prosperity would follow for the European nations until independence swept through Latin America leaving poor exploited third world countries. Exportation of the valuable resources found there would continue, maintaining dependency on the global ... a marginal force even at local levels. One of the key factors explaining the rising influence of peasant movements is their autonom...

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4. Independence movements in colonial Latin America

The causes for the independence movements throughout Latin America during the colonial period were both varied and centralized around specific ideas. For some Latin American Countries, colonial rule was tolerated because the mistreatment of the population was eventually being attributed to an emerging class status system of mixed races of Indian and African slaves and the Spanish. For the other Latin American countries Spain's influence and presence was not welcomed at all. Their imperialistic ... own personal property and future destiny, were gaining popularity and support in many of the Lat...

  • Word Count: 1022
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5. The Outcomes of Cuban Revoluti

... must first understand the world in the middle of the 20th century. By the end of World War II, Europe was destroyed economically and physically which created an opportune time for Europe's colonies to declare independence. The fall of Europe also establish a bipolar system of power in the world. The two new superpowers, The United States of America and The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had many different ideological, economical ... many countries with their system of government and economics. During the same time Latin America while no longer colonized, had many of the same goals ...

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6. Revolutions In Colonial Latin America

The causes for the independence movements throughout Latin America during the colonial period were both varied and centralized around specific ideas. For some Latin American Countries, colonial rule was tolerated because the mistreatment of the population was eventually being attributed to an emerging class status system of mixed races of Indian and African slaves and the Spanish. For the other Latin American countries Spain's influence and presence was not welcomed at all. Their imperialistic ... own personal property and future destiny, were gaining popularity and support in many of the Lat...

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7. The Third World: Invention of the Cold War

... than ameliorated through their tottering participation in the global capitalist economy. Third World under these various global movements have been facing persistent hardship to escape embroilment at the confines of the struggles between major powers, to assert their national identities, and to celebrate and pursue the ideal of self-determination. The term Third World, generally thought, was an invented term from the Cold War phase ... ----yet no policy is. After all, Southern countries' pursuit on postcolonial political and economic independence is enduring. Latin America is one scenari...

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8. Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin and Latin Independence

... , these were all colonies governed by Spain, Portugal and France. The major liberators of Latin America were Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin. This Independence Movement was influenced by the new ideas of Europe's Age of Enlightenment, which introduced ideas such as limiting the power of monarchs, and also was probably influenced by the American and French Revolution. The first attempt at Independence occurred in Venezuela where Francisco de Miranda, launched ... 3 to 5 Sucre came out victorious in the Battle of Ayacucho, which finally liberated Peru. Upper Peru then declared its Ind...

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9. The Government of Guatemala

The Guatemalan government, like many governments of Latin America, has been through multiple changes. Since the country gained its independence from Spain, it has gone from being a kingdom run by the Spanish elite, a military dictatorship, and finally a constitutional democratic republic. Guatemala's independence wasn't as bloody as many of the other Spanish colonies' struggle towards it, since there was no actual war with Spain. In fact, the colony stayed ... government more accessible for the Mayan communities of Guatemala, that consist of the majority of them being of Mayan descent.15 The ...

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