We review the most outstanding aspects of the evolution of Latin America during the first half of the 19th century, comparing the different characteristics of what happened in the former Portuguese and Spanish colonies.
The independence process in the Spanish colonies
Between 1810 and 1825, it developed in Latin America the process of independence. Among the factors that encouraged it, the independence of the thirteen english colonies in America in 1776. This was a momentous historical event, the first revolution against colonial rule, in this case against the British Empire. The result of this rupture of the North American colonies was the origin of the USA.
The influence of the French Revolutionwhich occurs shortly after in 1789. This movement caused the fall of the French monarchy, under the inspiration of the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity that later spread like a flame through various countries Europe, and from their universities and other intellectual circles, to the elites of the American colonies.
The desire for independence of the Creoles already brought a few years of history. One of the main issues fostering resentment towards Spanish colonial rule was the colonial administration’s marginalization of criollos (those born in America). Only peninsulares (those born in Spain) could access the highest government positions in the colony.
Another factor of tension was economic. The Spanish crown maintained a rigid commercial system, in which it was forced to trade with the metropolis, which was more expensive and less convenient for the American settlers than the alternative of Free Trade, to access manufactured products, mainly those manufactured in England (remember that We are in the middle of the Industrial Revolution.
The Americans found the right time to break their colonial ties when the occupation of Spain by French troops between 1808 and 1814. This occupation caused the abdication of Charles IV Y Ferdinand VII. Thus, a situation was created that the liberal Creoles considered illegitimate since the King to whom they owed their fidelity was expelled from the throne. Given this, they decided to create Government Boards, made up of groups of the local elite (this happened in many of the large colonial cities), which soon embarked on an independence struggle against the viceroyalty army.
Independence in the Portuguese Colony
The processes of independence were different in spanish coloniesyes in the Portuguese colony. With the invasion of Iberian Peninsula by Napoleonthe Portuguese Court, headed by the king John VIhe moved to Rio de Janeiro (in the current territory of Brazil).
In 1821, the King returned to Portugal and left his son as regent Peter Iwho in 1822 declared independence and became Emperor of the Brazil. In this way, while the spanish colonies they achieved their emancipation through wars against Spain, the Brazil became independent almost without conflict.
This is one of the factors that explains why the old Spanish viceroyalties broke up and gave rise to several smaller states while the Brazil preserved its territorial unity.
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