The
war in Europe, and the resulting
absolutist restoration ultimately convinced the Spanish Americans of the need to establish independence from the
mother country, so various revolutions broke out in Spanish America. Moreover, the process of Latin American independence took place in the general political and intellectual climate that emerged from the
Age of Enlightenment and that influenced all of the so-called
Atlantic Revolutions, including the earlier revolutions in the
United States and
France. Nevertheless, the wars in, and the independence of, Spanish America were the result of unique developments within the Spanish Monarchy.
Notes:
Events indicated in this format are currently celebrated as national holidays by the various Hispanic American republics in the present-day.
After a series of political differences among the members of the independent government of
Quito, established during the
Quito Revolt of 1765,
viceregal troops arrive from the city of
Guayaquil and re-establish the viceregal authorities of the
Real Audiencia of Quito. The short-lived autonomy of Quito ends, but the
viceroy of New Granada,
Pedro Messía de la Cerda, accepts the demands to abolish the new taxes on alcoholic beverages. (September 1, 1766)
Independence Day of México: On September 16, 1810, Roman Catholic priest
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gives a speech that would motivate the people of the town of
Dolores to take up arms against the
Spanish Monarchy. This event is known as the
Cry of Dolores. (September 16, 1810)
Simón Bolívar organizes a third Venezuelan republic in
Angostura and calls for a congress. Bolivar's campaign to take Caracas is defeated, and he returns to the line of Orinoco river.
The Spanish Captain-General in Mexico City recognizes Mexico's independence but the royal government in Madrid does not. Mexico forms a
constitutional monarchy.
1822
The United States recognizes the independence of the former Spanish colonies