History Lesson 16

La Lucha para la Indepencencia, parte 1 – The Struggle for Independence, part 1

The opening of the 1800’s saw a series of events that began the complete unraveling of colonialism, opening the door to yet another period of drastic changes on a worldwide scale.

Just as it happened in the United States, the events in Europe and their attempts to control life in the colonies eventually led to enough resentment that the revolutionary spirit truly took over. Even though most of the leaders of Latin America were Spanish by birth or blood, many of them joined in the fervor of revolution. Within 100 years the map of South America would change from being just a few massive empires, to being basically the same borders we use today.

How to Use This Page:

1. Listen to the audio as you read along with the Spanish on the left.

2. Open the English translation, and read the two side-by-side, making sure you understand the Spanish.

3. Close the English, and listen to the audio again, reading along in Spanish.

4. Close the Spanish, and listen once more. Maybe shut your eyes, and just try to catch as much as you can.

La Declaración de Independencia de los Estados Unidos de América (1776) tuvo efectos profundos en todas partes del mundo. El deseo para la independencia aumentó en muchos territorios colonizados, y la gente sintió un poder nuevo. Con el éxito de la Revolución francesa (1789) y la rebelión de los esclavos en Haití que estableció una nación independiente (1791-1804), este deseo creció hasta ser un fuego incontenible.

Rebeliones pequeñas fueron derrotadas rápidamente, y la revolución no pudo hacerse un movimiento grande. Todo cambió en 1808 cuando Napoleón puso a su hermano José en el trono de España. Ahora los colonos no quisieron someterse a Napoleón, y cada región organizó una junta (un gobierno local) para gobernarse. En teoría, todos se quedaron leales a la corona española.

Pero cuando Fernando, hijo de Carlos IV, recuperó el trono en 1814, él trató de establecer su control total sobre las colonias otra vez. Esto provocó una reacción revolucionaria fuerte.

Las fuerzas revolucionarias en el área que hoy es Venezuela pelearon sin éxito por 6 años. Pero bajo el liderazgo de Simón Bolívar, empezaron a ganar victorias importantes en 1813 y 1814. Capturaron Caracas y Bogotá, pero después de un intento de asesinato, Bolívar tuvo que huir a Haití. Cuando Bolívar prometió liberar a los esclavos en las colonias, el gobierno de Haití acordó ayudar la revolución. Bolívar regresó a Sudamérica en 1816 con soldados y provisiones de Haití, y la revolución creció rápidamente.

Para el año 1821, Bolívar había liberado un territorio grande, incluyendo las tierras que hoy son Venezuela, Colombia, Panamá, Ecuador y Perú. Bolívar admiraba las ideas de George Washington, y quería establecer una colección democrática de estados parecida a Estados Unidos. Pero no pudo crear acuerdo entre las regiones distintas, entonces Bolívar se hizo el dictador de Nueva Granada en 1828. Todavía no podía unir y gobernar las facciones que se oponían, y él renunció la presidencia en 1830.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America (1776) had profound effects in all parts of the world. The desire for independence grew in many colonized regions, and the people felt a new power. With the success of the French Revolution (1789) and the Slave Revolt in Haiti that established an independent nation (1791-1804), this desire grew to be an uncontainable fire.

Small rebellions were quickly defeated, and the revolution couldn’t become a large movement. Everything changed in 1808 when Napoleon put his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain. Now the colonies refused to submit to Napoleon, and each region organized a junta (local government) to govern itself. In theory, all of them remained loyal to the Spanish crown.

But when Fernando, the son of Carlos IV, recovered the throne in 1814, he tried to establish his complete control over the colonies once again. This provoked a strong revolutionary reaction.

The revolutionary forces in the area that today is Venezuela fought without success for 6 years. But under the leadership of Simon Bolivar, they began to win important victories in 1813 and 1814. They captured Caracas and Bogota, but after an assassination attempt Bolivar had to flee to Haiti. When Bolivar promised to liberate the slaves in the colonies, the government of Haiti agreed to help the revolution. Bolivar returned to South America in 1816 with soldiers and provisions from Haiti, and the revolution grew rapidly.

By the year 1821, Bolivar had liberated a large territory, including the lands that today are Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, Ecuador and Peru. Bolivar admired the ideas of George Washington, and he wanted to establish a democratic collection of states similar to the United States. But he failed to create agreement between the different regions, so Bolivar made himself dictator of New Granada in 1828. Still he couldn’t unite and govern the factions that opposed him, and he resigned the presidency in 1830.

Preguntas Básicas

1. What event in the Americas sparked the worldwide desire to end colonialism?

2. What event in Europe finally broke the loyalty of the colonists to the Spanish crown?

3. Who was the Great Liberator (el gran libertador) of most of South America?