Libertadores (Spanish and Portuguese for "Liberators") refers to the leaders of the revolutions which gained the nations of Latin America independence from Spain and Portugal. The South American Wars of Independence were waged in South America during the 1810s and 1820s in an effort to liberate the American colonies of Spain and Portugal from colonial rule. ...

They were largely bourgeois criollos (local-born people of European ancestry, typically with Spanish or Portuguese ancestors) influenced by liberalism and, in most cases, with military training in the metropolis. In the Spanish colonial caste system (castas), a criollo was a person of unmixed Spanish ancestry born in the colonies. ... Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. ...

The most prominent Libertadores were Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, who had a famous meeting in Guayaquil in 1822. They played a crucial part in the liberation and independences of most South American countries; Bolivar acting in the north and San Martín in the southern part of the continet. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... José Francisco de San Martín Matorras, also known as José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South Americas successful struggle for independence from Spain. ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ...

Other prominent Libertadores include José Gervasio Artigas (Uruguay), Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile), José Miguel Carrera (Chile) and Antonio José de Sucre (Venezuela), who played an important role in a more local fashion. José Gervasio Artigas (June 19, 1764 - September 23, 1850) was a national hero of Uruguay and is sometimes called the father of Uruguayan independence. This is an ironic turn of events, considering that during his life he never sought the absolute independence of Uruguay as a separate State, but the... Bernardo OHiggins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 – October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with José de San Martín – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. ... José Miguel Carrera José Miguel Carrera Verdugo (15 October 1785 - 4 September 1821) was a Chilean general, considered one of the founders of Chile. ... Antonio José de Sucre (February 3, 1795 – June 4, 1830) was a South American independence leader. ...

Some caudillos might be also referenced as libertadores in a different context such as Francisco de Miranda (precursor to Bolivar), José María Morelos (Mexico), Manuel Rodríguez (Chile), and independence supporters and idealists such as José Bonifácio (Brazil), Juan Pablo Duarte (Dominican Republic), Miguel Hidalgo (Mexico) and José Martí (Cuba). Caudillo is a Spanish (caudilho in Portuguese) word usually used to designate a political-military leader at the head of an authoritative power. ... Francisco de Miranda Sebastián Francisco de Miranda Rodríguez (commonly known as Francisco de Miranda March 28, 1750 – July 14, 1816) was a South American revolutionary whose own plan for the independence of the Spanish American colonies failed, but who is regarded as a forerunner of Simón Bol... Portrait of José María Morelos, oil painting José María Teclo Morelos y Pavón (30 September 1765 - 22 December 1815) was one of the main early leaders of Mexicos struggle for independence from Spain. ... Monument of Manuel Rodríquez displayed in Bustamante Park in Santiago, Chile // Early Years (1785-1810) Manuel Rodríguez Erdoíza, Chilean lawyer and guerrilla, was born on 27 February 1785 and was the son of Don Carlos Rodríguez de Herrera y Zeballos, a customs officer of Peruvian nationality... José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (June 13, 1763 – April 6, 1838), Brazilian statesman and naturalist, was born at Santos, São Paulo. ... Juan Pablo Duarte y Diez Juan Pablo Duarte y Diez (born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, January 26, 1813 – died in Caracas, Venezuela, July 15, 1876), during the period of (in Spanish called) España Boba. ... Miguel Hidalgo Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mondarte Villaseñor (May 8, 1753 – July 30, 1811) also known as Cura Hidalgo (Priest Hidalgo), was the chief leader of Mexicos war of independence against Spain. ... José Julián Martí y Pérez was a leader of the Cuban independence movement from Spain and as well a renowned poet and writer. ...

Aftermath

The flags of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador follow Francisco de Miranda's design of 1806. Also, Bolivia was named after Bolivar, who in turn was president of Colombia, Bolivia and twice of Venezuela. San Martín, who fought in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador, liberated Chile, proclaimed the independence of Peru, and was also president protector of Peru.

Liberators' names were used all over South America to name anything from towns and places to institutions and sports clubs. Also, the most prestigious inter-national club football competition in South America is named the Copa Libertadores in their honour. The Copa Libertadores de América (also known as Copa Toyota Libertadores) (Portuguese: Taça Libertadores da América, English: Liberators of America Cup) is an international football cup competition played annually by the top clubs of South America. ...

List of Libertadores

• Simón Bolívar (Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia)
• José de San Martín (Argentina, Chile and Peru)
• Pedro I (Brazil)
• Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile, Peru)
• José Miguel Carrera (Chile)
• José Gervasio Artigas (Uruguay)
• Antonio José de Sucre (Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia)

This article does not cite its references or sources. ... José Francisco de San Martín Matorras, also known as José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South Americas successful struggle for independence from Spain. ... Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil (pron. ... Bernardo OHiggins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 – October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with José de San Martín – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. ... José Miguel Carrera José Miguel Carrera Verdugo (15 October 1785 - 4 September 1821) was a Chilean general, considered one of the founders of Chile. ... José Gervasio Artigas (June 19, 1764 - September 23, 1850) was a national hero of Uruguay and is sometimes called the father of Uruguayan independence. This is an ironic turn of events, considering that during his life he never sought the absolute independence of Uruguay as a separate State, but the... Antonio José de Sucre (February 3, 1795 – June 4, 1830) was a South American independence leader. ...

External links

• "Sucre, Bolívar y San Martín" Argentine Ministry of Economy
• "The Battles of the War of South American Liberation, 1810-1824" - Libertadores