History Lesson 17

La Lucha para la Indepencencia, parte 2 – The Struggle for Independence, part 2

Once the proverbial dam had burst, there was no stopping the progress of the era of independence. The battles were not easy, and there were many defeats, but the outcome seems to have been inevitable.

Both Central and South America tried to create a federal collection of states similar to the one formed by the rebelling colonies of North America. This model proved harder to imitate than the leaders anticipated, however, and the unions did not last.

The independence of some countries was (ironically) also hampered by the land-grabbing desires of some of the newly-created nations. Mexico, Columbia and Brazil each took over regions which eventually became independent countries.

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.

Overview Timeline

Los años desde 1806 hasta 1825 eran turbulentos y sangrientos. Algunas regiones se liberaron rápidamente, pero para muchos países las guerras terribles duraron una década o más. José de San Martín liberó Argentina y Chile, y Bolívar lo ayudó a completar la liberación de Perú. Antonio José de Sucre es considerado el libertador de Ecuador y Bolivia.

Cuando Napoleón conquistó a Portugal la familia real escapó y estableció su gobierno en Brasil, su colonia. Con la ayuda de Inglaterra, ellos recapturaron su patria en 1814 y el rey regresó a Portugal. Su hijo, el príncipe Pedro, se quedó en Brasil para gobernar. Las relaciones entre Brasil y Portugal empeoraron, y Pedro decidió apoyar a los separatistas. Brasil declaró la independencia en 1822, y Dom Pedro fue el rey de Brasil.

La republica de Gran Colombia no duró después de la salida de Bolívar, y en 1831 la región se dividió para ser Colombia, Ecuador y Venezuela. Panamá era una parte de Colombia.

Uruguay y Paraguay ganaron su independencia en 1811, pero Uruguay fue anexado por Brasil en 1821. En 1825 ellos rebelaron contra Brasil, y lucharon 3 años para la separación.

La región de Centroamérica trató de liberarse en 1811 y 1814, pero ambos intentos fallaron. Ellos declararon su independencia otra vez en 1821 y el Capitán General español decidió de ayudarlos. Pero toda la región fue capturada por el Imperio Mexicano en 1822. Cuando México se hizo una república en 1823, dieron a Centroamérica el derecho de independizarse.

Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala y Costa Rica formaron la República Federal de Centroamérica en 1824, queriendo establecer una unión como la de Estados Unidos. Pero todo quebró cuando Honduras se retiró de la unión en 1838, y dos años de guerra civil siguieron. Varios líderes intentaron a unificar la región otra vez, pero cada intento falló.

Para el año 1840, casi todo el continente de América fue independiente, y el mapa se veía muy parecido a lo que tenemos hoy.

The years from 1806 to 1825 were turbulent and bloody. Some regions were liberated quickly, but for many countries the terrible wars lasted a decade or more. José de San Martín liberated Argentina and Chile, and Bolivar helped him to complete the liberation of Peru. Antonio José de Sucre is considered the liberator of Ecuador and Bolivia.

When Napoleon conquered Portugal the royal family escaped and established their government in Brazil, their colony. With the help of England, they recaptured their homeland in 1814 and the king returned to Portugal. His son, Prince Pedro, remained in Brazil to govern. Relations between Brazil and Portugal worsened, and Pedro decided to support the separatists. Brazil declared independence in 1822, and Dom Pedro was the first king of Brazil.

The Republic of Gran Colombia didn’t last after the departure of Bolivar, and in 1831 the region was divided to become Columbia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Panama was a part of Columbia.

Uruguay and Paraguay won their independence in 1811, but Uruguay was annexed by Brazil in 1821. In 1825 they rebelled against Brazil, and they fought for 3 years for separation.

The region of Central America tried to liberate itself in 1811 and 1814, but both attempts failed. They declared their independence again in 1821 and the Spanish Captain General decided to help them. But all the region was captured by the Mexican Empire in 1822. When Mexico became a republic in 1823, they gave Central America the right to become independent.

Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Costa Rica formed the Federal Republic of Central America in 1824, wanting to establish a union like the United States. But everything shattered when Honduras withdrew from the union in 1838, and two years of civil war followed. Various leaders tried to unite the region again, but each attempt failed.

By the year 1840, almost all of the continent of America was independent, and the map looked very similar to that which we have today.

Preguntas Básicas

1. What were the years that rebellion and revolution brought an end to colonialism?

2. What is the history of the Federal Republic of Central America?

3. Besides Bolivar, who were the two main liberators of South America?