NationMaster - Encyclopedia: South American Wars of Independence

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Encyclopedia > South American Wars of Independence

Because Spain was virtually cut off from its colonies during the Peninsular War of 1808–1814, Latin America was, in these years, ruled by independent juntas. These provisional governments claimed allegiance to the Bourbon king in exile, Ferdinand VII, but in practice operated independently. For the 1862 American Civil War campaign, see Peninsula Campaign. ... A military dictatorship is a form of government wherein the political power resides with the military; it is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military. ... Ferdinand VII (October 14, 1784 - September 29, 1833) was King of Spain from 1813 to 1833. ...

Northern South America

Origin of the Wars

Independence movements in the northern regions of Spanish South America had an inauspicious beginning in 1806. The small group of foreign volunteers that the Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda brought to his homeland failed to incite the populace to rise against Spanish rule. Creoles in the region wanted an expansion of the free trade that was benefiting their plantation economy. At the same time, however, they feared that the removal of Spanish control might bring about a revolution that would destroy their own power.

Creole elites in Venezuela had good reason to fear such a possibility, for one such revolution had recently exploded in the French Caribbean colony of Saint-Domingue. Beginning in 1791, a massive slave revolt sparked a general insurrection against the plantation system and French colonial power. The rebellion developed into both a civil war, pitting blacks and mulattos against whites, and an international conflict, as England and Spain supported the white plantation owners and rebels, respectively. By the first years of the 19th century, the rebels had shattered what had been a model colony and forged the independent nation of Haiti. Partly inspired by those Caribbean events, slaves in Venezuela carried out their own uprisings in the 1790s. Just as it served as a beacon of hope for the enslaved, Haiti was a warning of everything that might go wrong for elites in the cacao-growing areas of Venezuela and throughout slave societies in the Americas.

Independence movement in New Granada

Creole anxieties also contributed to the persistence of a strong loyalist faction in the Viceroyalty of New Granada, but they did not prevent the rise of an independence struggle there. Creoles organized revolutionary governments that proclaimed social and economic reforms in 1810 and openly declared a break with Spain the following year. The Viceroyalty of New Granada was the name given to a group of colonial provinces in northern South America, corresponding mainly to modern Colombia. ...

Campaigns

Venezuela

Main article: Venezuelan War of Independence

"El 19 de abril de 1810", destitution of the Captain General

Venezuela declared its independence from Spain July 5, 1811, beginning its wars against that country. In 1812, Spanish forces led by General Juan Domingo Monteverde defeated the Venezuelan revolutionary army, led by Francisco de Miranda, which surrendered at La Victoria in July 12, 1812, effectively ending the first phase of the revolutionary war; Simón Bolívar and other revolutionary leaders fled abroad. The Venezuelan War of Independence in 1811-1812 was Venezuelas first war for independence from Spanish colonial rule. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... By means of the signing of the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence on July 5, 1811, Venezuelans of the time took the decision, supported by several politicians, of breaking away from the Kingdom of Spain and to build a new nation to split the premises of equality between individuals, abolition of... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Juan Domingo Monteverde (b. ... Francisco de Miranda SebastiÃ¡n Francisco de Miranda RodrÃguez (commonly known as Francisco de Miranda March 28, 1750 â€“ 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 SimÃ³n Bol... La Victoria is Spanish for The Victory. It is the name of a number of places: La Victoria District in Lima, Peru La Victoria, Colombia, a municipality in the Valle del Cauca Department La Victoria, Venezuela, a municipal seat in the Aragua State La Victoria, Dominican Republic in the Santo... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... The First Republic of Venezuela (Primera RepÃºblica de Venezuela in Spanish) was founded by SimÃ³n BolÃvar in 1811 during the Venezuelan War of Independence from Spain. ... â€œBolÃvarâ€ redirects here. ...

After HUrerei has started his defeat in 1812, Bolívar fled to New Granada. He later returned with a new army, while the war had entered a tremendously violent phase. After much of the local aristocracy had abandoned the cause of independence, blacks and mulattos carried on the struggle. Elites reacted with open distrust and opposition to the efforts of these common people. Bolívar's forces invaded Venezuela from New Granada in 1813, waging a campaign with a ferocity captured perfectly by their motto, "guerra a muerte" ("war to the death"). Bolívar's forces defeated Juan Monteverde's Spanish army in a series of battles, taking Caracas in August 6, 1813 and besieging Monteverde at Puerto Cabello in September 1813. Capital SantafÃ© de BogotÃ¡ Language(s) Spanish (de facto) Religion Roman Catholic Government Republic First President - 1810 JosÃ© Miguel Pey y GarcÃa de Andrade History - Independence Declared July 20, 1810 - Confederacy formed October 4, 1812 - Reconquest by Spain September 3, 1816 Currency Real Categories: | | | | | | | | | ... Combatants Patriots Royalists Commanders SimÃ³n BolÃvar Juan Domingo Monteverde The Admirable Campaign (Spanish: CampaÃ±a Admirable) was a military action led by SimÃ³n BolÃvar from CÃºcuta with the Battle of CÃºcuta May 14, 1813. ... The Decreto de Guerra a Muerte was a declaration issued by South American Independence hero, SimÃ³n BolÃvar, June 15, 1813 in the Venezuelan city of Trujillo. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave MarÃa SantÃsima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Puerto Cabello is a city on the north coast of Venezuela. ...

With loyalists displaying the same passion and violence, the rebels achieved only short-lived victories. In 1814, heavily reinforced Spanish forces in Venezuela lost a series of battles to Bolívar's forces but then decisively defeated Bolivar at La Puerta in June 15, 1814, took Caracas in July 16, 1814, and again defeated his army at Aragua in August 18, 1814, at a cost of 2,000 Spanish casualties of 10,000 engaged and most of the 3,000 in the rebel army. Bolívar and other leaders then returned to New Granada. is the 166th day of the year (167th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Aragua de MaturÃn is a town in Venezuelas Monagas State. ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Battle of Carabobo

The army led by the loyalist José Tomás Boves here demonstrated the key military role that the llaneros came to play in the region's struggle. Turning the tide against independence, these highly mobile, ferocious fighters made up a formidable military force that pushed Bolívar out of his home country once more. www. ... www. ... Jose Tomas Boves (1782-1814), born in Oviedo, in Asturias, Spain, known for his cruelties during the wars of independence in Greater Colombia. ... A Llanero or the Llaneros is the name given to Venezuelan and Colombia cowboy and means plainsmen. The Llanero take their name from the Llanos grasslands occupying western Venezuala and northeastern Colombia. ...

Bolívar returned to Venezuela in December 1816, again leading a largely unsuccessful insurrection against Spain in 1816-18.

Bolívar again returned to Venezuela in April 1821, leading an army of 7,000 from New Granada. At Carabobo, June 24, his forces decisively defeated Spanish and colonial forces, winning Venezuelan independence, although hostilities continued. The Battle of Carabobo was fought between South American independence fighters, led by SimÃ³n BolÃvar, and royalist forces seeking to preserve Spanishs American empire. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Colombia

For details, see Spanish Invasion of New Granada Spanish Invasion of New Granada in 1815-1816 was part of Bolívars War in South America. ...

the Battle of Boyacá sealed colombia's independence

By 1815, the independence movements in Venezuela and almost all across Spanish South America seemed moribund. A large military expedition sent by Ferdinand VII in that year reconquered Venezuela and most of New Granada. Yet another invasion led by Bolívar in 1816 failed miserably. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Ferdinand VII (October 14, 1784 - September 29, 1833) was King of Spain from 1813 to 1833. ... Capital SantafÃ© de BogotÃ¡ Language(s) Spanish (de facto) Religion Roman Catholic Government Republic First President - 1810 JosÃ© Miguel Pey y GarcÃa de Andrade History - Independence Declared July 20, 1810 - Confederacy formed October 4, 1812 - Reconquest by Spain September 3, 1816 Currency Real Categories: | | | | | | | | | ...

In 1819, Bolívar's forces crossed the Andes into New Granada in June-July 1819. At the Battle of Boyacá August 7, his army of 3,000 defeated a Spanish and colonial force of 2,500. In spring 1820^{[when? — see talk page]}, Bolívar's republican forces took Bogotá; he then became the first president of the Gran Colombia. Colombia, then known as New Granada, acquired its definitive independence from Spain at the Battle of BoyacÃ¡. Brigadier Generals Francisco de Paula Santander and JosÃ© Antonio AnzoÃ¡tegui led a combined republican army of Colombians and Venezuelans, complemented by a small British Legion made up of mostly Irish volunteers (including... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: BogotÃ¡, 2600 metros mÃ¡s cerca de las estrellas BogotÃ¡, 2600 meters closer to the stars Localities (localidades) of BogotÃ¡ Country Department Foundation August 6, 1538 Government - Mayor Luis Eduardo GarzÃ³n, PDA Area - City 1,587 kmÂ² (612. ... Gran Colombia Capital BogotÃ¡ Language(s) Spanish Religion Roman Catholic Government Republic History - Established December 17, 1819 - Disestablished November 19, 1831 Gran Colombia (Spanish for Great Colombia) is a name used today for the Republic of Colombia of the period 1819-1831. ...

Ecuador

For details, see Republican Campaign in Ecuador

At Pinchincha, Ecuador in May 24, 1822, General Antonio José de Sucre's forces defeated Spanish and colonial forces defending Quito, conquering the city. is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Antonio JosÃ© de Sucre (February 3, 1795 â€“ June 4, 1830) was a South American independence leader. ...

Bolivia

For details, see Bolivian Independence War Bolivia proclaimed independence in 1809, but 16 years of struggle followed before the establishment of the republic. ...

Bolivia proclaimed independence from Spain in 1809, but 16 years of struggle followed before the establishment of the republic.

The fight for independence culminated in the battle of Ayacucho, on December 9, 1824, as part of Bolívar's War in the Republican Campaign when Antonio José de Sucre's republican army of 7,000 defeated José de La Serna's Spanish army of 10,000. The republicans suffered more than 1,000 casualties to more than 2,000 Spanish casualties and more than 2,000 captured, among them La Serna. The Spanish surrender came the next day.

Important Leaders

Francisco de Miranda

Main article: Francisco de Miranda

Miranda imprisoned in Cadiz, Spain

The Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816), regarded as a forerunner of Simón Bolívar, conceived a visionary plan for the liberation and unification of all of Spanish America. After leading troops in both the American and French Revolutions, he launched the South American wars of independence with an unsuccessful attempted invasion of Venezuela in 1806. Following this initial failure, he left Venezuela, returning in 1810 at the behest of Bolívar, after a coup had removed the Spanish governor from power. Miranda assumed command of the independence movement, which formally declared Venezuela's independence from Spain on July 5, 1811. The Venezuelan War of Independence ensued, but by 1812 royalist forces had gained the upper hand. Miranda negotiated an armistice, but was then handed over to the Spanish army by his fellow revolutionaries, who believed he had betrayed them. Miranda was imprisoned by the Spanish, and died in a dungeon in Cadiz, Spain, in 1816. Francisco de Miranda SebastiÃ¡n Francisco de Miranda RodrÃguez (commonly known as Francisco de Miranda March 28, 1750 â€“ 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 SimÃ³n Bol... Francisco de Miranda in prison in Cádiz by Arturo Michelena (1863 - 1898) The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... Francisco de Miranda in prison in Cádiz by Arturo Michelena (1863 - 1898) The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... For other uses, see Revolution (disambiguation). ... Francisco de Miranda SebastiÃ¡n Francisco de Miranda RodrÃguez (commonly known as Francisco de Miranda March 28, 1750 â€“ 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 SimÃ³n Bol... â€œBolÃvarâ€ redirects here. ... The last map of the Spanish Empire (1492-1898). ... The French Revolution (1789â€“1815) was a period of political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Venezuelan War of Independence in 1811-1812 was Venezuelas first war for independence from Spanish colonial rule. ... A white flag is traditionally used to represent a truce. ... This article is about the Spanish city. ...

Simón Bolívar

Main article: Simón Bolívar

Simón Bolívar

One of the most influential leaders in the Wars of Independence was Simón Bolívar, known as "El Libertador" (the Liberator). Born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1783, Bolívar was able to promote his personal vision of South America powerfully enough to gather and direct the efforts of several of the colonies after their initial revolt. One of Bolívar's first notable victories occurred in 1817 at Angostura in eastern Venezuela. In 1819, he led his army over the Andes and attacked the Spanish by surprise, thereby taking control of Bogotá. He occupied Quito and Caracas soon thereafter, at which point Bolívar controlled all of northern South America. The former colonies Venezuela, New Granada (modern-day Colombia) and Quito (modern-day Ecuador) formed the Republic of Gran Colombia, but after Bolívar's death in 1830 they separated, as the immediate need for unity had disappeared with independence and internal conflicts began to appear. In the absence of a unifying cause, the remaining political and economical ties between the countries were weak and dissent spread among the different territories. â€œBolÃvarâ€ redirects here. ... Image File history File links Simon_Bolivar. ... Image File history File links Simon_Bolivar. ... â€œBolÃvarâ€ redirects here. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave MarÃa SantÃsima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... Angostura was the name of the town in Eastern Venezuela that was renamed Ciudad Bolívar in 1846. ... This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... Motto: BogotÃ¡, 2600 metros mÃ¡s cerca de las estrellas BogotÃ¡, 2600 meters closer to the stars Localities (localidades) of BogotÃ¡ Country Department Foundation August 6, 1538 Government - Mayor Luis Eduardo GarzÃ³n, PDA Area - City 1,587 kmÂ² (612. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave MarÃa SantÃsima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... New Granada can mean: the English rendering of any Spanish geographical or administrative name Nueva Granada, always named after the deep southern Spanish port city Granada, as in: the Spanish American colonial Viceroyalty of New Granada the post-colonial Republic of New Granada (1831 to 1856), which included modern Colombia... Gran Colombia Capital BogotÃ¡ Language(s) Spanish Religion Roman Catholic Government Republic History - Established December 17, 1819 - Disestablished November 19, 1831 Gran Colombia (Spanish for Great Colombia) is a name used today for the Republic of Colombia of the period 1819-1831. ...

Antonio José de Sucre

Main article: Antonio José de Sucre

Southern South America

Origin of the Wars

The southern South American colonies of Spain, including Argentina, Chile and Perú, fought their wars of independence under José de San Martín (also known as "the Liberator", especially in Argentina), another influential military leader and politician. He served as "Protector" of Perú until its parliament was assembled. San Martín met with Bolívar at Guayaquil, and on July 26, 1822 they had confidential talks to plan the future of Latin America. Some have speculated that during this meeting Bolívar would have refused to share command of the combined forces, and this may have contributed to San Martín's withdrawal from Perú and subsequent settlement as a farmer in Mendoza, Argentina. Another Spanish colony that gained its independence was Paraguay, who gained it on May 15, 1811 after a plan made by patriots like Fulgencio Yegros and José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. - Peru (Spanish: RepÃºblica del PerÃº) is a country in western South America, bordering Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the east, south-east and south, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ... JosÃ© Francisco de San MartÃn Matorras, also known as JosÃ© de San MartÃn (25 February 1778 â€“ 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. ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Fulgencio Yegros was President of Paraguay in 1811 and 12 February 1814 - 12 June 1814. ... JosÃ© Gaspar RodrÃguez de Francia, El Supremo Dr. JosÃ© Gaspar RodrÃguez de Francia y Velasco (January 6, 1766 â€“ September 20, 1840) was the first leader of Paraguay following its independence from Spain. ...

Important Leaders

José de San Martín

Main article: José de San Martín

José de San Martín

Born on February 25, 1778 in Yapeyú, he left his mother country at an early age and studied in Madrid, Spain where he met and befriended Chilean Bernardo O'Higgins. In 1789, after joining the Spanish forces to fight against the French. JosÃ© Francisco de San MartÃn Matorras, also known as JosÃ© de San MartÃn (25 February 1778 â€“ 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South Americas successful struggle for independence from Spain. ... Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Argentine War of Independence ... Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Argentine War of Independence ... is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1778 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... JosÃ© de San MartÃn YapeyÃº is a town in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, in the San MartÃn Department. ... Motto: (Spanish for From Madrid to Heaven) Location Coordinates: , Country Spain Autonomous Community Comunidad AutÃ³noma de Madrid Province Madrid Administrative Divisions 21 Neighborhoods 127 Founded 9th century Government - Mayor Alberto Ruiz-GallardÃ³n JimÃ©mez (PP) Area - Land 607 kmÂ² (234. ... Bernardo OHiggins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 â€“ October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders â€“ together with JosÃ© de San MartÃn â€“ of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. ...

In 1812, he set sail for Buenos Aires from England, and offered his services to the United Provinces of the South (roughly present Argentina). After the Battle of San Lorenzo in 1813, and some time in command of the Army of the North during 1814, he started his plan to attack Lima. This involved first creating an army in Cuyo, liberating Chile, and then attacking Lima by sea. For other uses, see Buenos Aires (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Monument commemorating the battle at the Campo de la Gloria. ... Nickname: Motto: Hoc signum vere regum est Lima Province and Lima within Peru Coordinates: , Country Peru Region Lima Region Province Lima Province Settled January 18, 1535 Government - Mayor Luis CastaÃ±eda Lossio Area - City 804. ... Cuyo is the name given to the wine-producing, mountainous area of north-west Argentina, comprising the provinces of San Juan, San Luis and Mendoza. ...

In 1817, he crossed the Andes from Mendoza to Chile, and prevailed over the Spanish forces after the Battle of Chacabuco and Battle of Maipú (1818), liberating Chile together with Bernardo O'Higgins. San Martín seized partial control of the viceroyalty's capital (Lima) in July 12, 1821 and was appointed Protector of Perú. After a closed-door meeting with fellow libertador Simón Bolívar at Guayaquil, Ecuador on 26 July 1822, Bolívar took over the task of fully liberating Peru and declared its independence. San Martín unexpectedly left Perú and resigned the command of his army, excluding himself from politics and the military, and moving to France in 1824. The details of the 26 July meeting would be a subject of debate by later historians. This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... Mendoza is one of the 23 provinces of Argentina, located in the western central part of the country in the Cuyo region. ... In 1814, having been instrumental in the establishment of a popularly elected congress in Argentina, Jose de San Martin began to consider the problem of driving the Spanish royalists from South America. ... Combatants South American patriots Spain Commanders Benardo OHiggins Mariano Osorio Strength c5,000 c5,000 Casualties 1,000 2,000 dead 3,000 captured The Battle of MaipÃº was a battle fought near Santiago, Chile on April 5, 1818 between South American rebels and Spanish royalists, during the South... Bernardo OHiggins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 â€“ October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders â€“ together with JosÃ© de San MartÃn â€“ of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. ... Nickname: Motto: Hoc signum vere regum est Lima Province and Lima within Peru Coordinates: , Country Peru Region Lima Region Province Lima Province Settled January 18, 1535 Government - Mayor Luis CastaÃ±eda Lossio Area - City 804. ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1821 (MDCCCXXI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... â€œBolÃvarâ€ redirects here. ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Together with Simón Bolívar in the north, San Martín is regarded as one of the Liberators of Spanish South America. â€œBolÃvarâ€ redirects here. ... 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. ...

Bernardo O'Higgins

Main article: Bernardo O'Higgins

Bernardo OHiggins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 â€“ October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders â€“ together with JosÃ© de San MartÃn â€“ of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. ...

José Miguel Carrera

Main article: José Miguel Carrera

JosÃ© Miguel Carrera Verdugo (15 October 1785 - 4 September 1821) was a Chilean general, considered one of the founders of independent Chile. ...

José Gervasio Artigas

Main article: José Gervasio Artigas

JosÃ© 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...

Portuguese colony: Brazil

Main article: Brazilian Declaration of Independence

The independence of Brazil, at that time a Portuguese colony, was an exception. In 1807, the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil during the French invasion of Portugal. In 1815, John VI of Portugal declared Brazil a kingdom of its own, with himself as its king. He returned to Portugal in 1822, after which his son Pedro declared himself Emperor of Brazil in 1822. His father and the Portuguese parliament did not recognize this declaration, and there was isolated armed resistance by loyalist Portuguese troops stationed in Brazil. Officially, there was no war between Portugal and Brazil, and diplomatic efforts granted the acceptance of Brazil's independence in 1825. Therefore, Brazil was the only Latin American country whose independence was acquired without war. Brazilian War of Independence in 1821-1825 was fought between colonial Brazil and Portugal. ... John VI, King of Portugal (13 May 1767 â€“ 26 March 1826) KG KGF (Portuguese JoÃ£o, pron. ... Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil (pron. ... The Empire of Brazil was a political entity that comprised present-day Brazil under the rule of Emperors Pedro I and his son Pedro II. Founded in 1822, it was replaced by a republic in 1889. ...

After the wars

At the end of the Wars of Independence, virtually all of mainland South America was free from European control. The exceptions were the three Guianas, two of them would become independent only in the second half of 20th century: British Guiana as Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Dutch Guiana as Republic of Suriname. French Guiana remains a French overseas department to this date. The term Guianas refers to an area comprising three different countries in the north-eastern part of South America; Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname. ...

Simón Bolívar had a dream of uniting all South American, Central American and Caribbean countries and turning them into a single, economically independent country. However, internal divisions had resulted in wars, and the fragile South American coalition collapsed.