Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)

World History

Law and Government

This collection uses primary sources to explore Latin American revolutionary leaders.

A map of colonies in Latin America on the eve of revolution, excerpted from *Rise of the Spanish-American Republics* by W.S. Robertson, 1921.

A portrait of Father Miguel Hidalgo, a leader of the Mexican independence movement who was eventually captured and executed.

An excerpt from the preface to *The Life and Times of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla* by Arthur Howard Noll, 1910.

An 1805 portrait of Toussaint L’Ouverture, leader of Haitian independence, who led a slave revolt and was known as the “Black Napoleon.” 

An excerpt from the forward to *The History of Toussaint L’Ouverture* by James Stephen, published in 1814.

An excerpt from J.R. Beard’s biography of Toussaint L'Ouverture that compares L’Ouverture and Napoléon Bonaparte.

A 2005 map created by Michael Siegel that places major battles of the Haitian Revolution during the years 1793 to 1809.

A portrait of Simón Bolívar from 1827.

An excerpt from *Simon Bolivar: “El Libertador*,” by F. Loraine Petre, published in 1910.

An image of a statue of Simón Bolívar by Pietro Tenerani, excerpted from *Rise of the Spanish-American Republics* by W.S. Robertson, 1921.

A portrait of José de San Martin.

An excerpt from *Makers of South America*, by Margarette Daniels, published in 1916.

Questions

1. Using the [map of colonies](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/latin-american-revolutionaries/sources/901), describe the various geographic features that promoted and/or discouraged communication and unification in Latin America. What do you notice about the geography of cities highlighted on the map and the geography of battle sites?
2. After reading the biographical information about each of the leaders included in this set, draw comparisons between them with regard to their motivation for liberation and independence and their plans for the new nations they fought to free.
3. Read the [excerpt from J.R. Beard’s biography](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/latin-american-revolutionaries/sources/906). What are the major similarities between L’Ouverture and Napoleon Bonaparte? How were these two men different?
4. Look at the [portrait of Simón Bolívar](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/latin-american-revolutionaries/sources/908) and the [image of a statue of Bolívar](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/latin-american-revolutionaries/sources/910). What other figures throughout history have been clad in such a way? What do you think the artist’s intent was when choosing such attire? Look at other portraits in this set and analyze how each of the freedom fighters are depicted.


Activity

Ask students to create a two-page spread for a children’s book depicting the “road to liberation” for Latin Americans. Students should include information about the four freedom fighters highlighted in this set: José de San Martin, Simón Bolívar, Toussaint L’Ouverture, and Miguel Hidalgo. Ask students to combine their stories using a road map or timeline suitable for a children’s book.


Teaching Guide: Exploring Latin American Revolutionaries

Resources

1. [The Other Revolution: Haiti 1789-1804](http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/John_Carter_Brown_Library/exhibitions/haitian/index.html), John Carter Brown Library, Brown University.  
2. [The Spanish American Revolutions: Setting the Stage](http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/John_Carter_Brown_Library/exhibitions/spanishsetting/index.html), John Carter Brown Library, Brown University. 
3. “[Enshrined and Oft-Invoked, Simon Bolivar lives on](http://www.npr.org/2013/04/13/176783269/enshrined-and-oft-invoked-simon-bolivar-lives-on),” NPR. 


Overview

After the United States secured its independence from Great Britain in 1783, a passion for liberty and sovereignty began to spread to other nations in the Americas. The French Revolution, begun in 1789, further promoted ideas of “liberty, equality, and fraternity.” In the eighteenth century, Latin American peoples were burdened by colonial control imposed through high taxes, a very powerful church, oppressive working conditions including slavery. To change these conditions, various leaders began movements that would alter the political and cultural landscape of this region: Toussaint L’Ouverture in Haiti (1791), Miguel Hidalgo in Mexico (1810), José de San Martin in what is now Argentina, Chile, and Peru (1808), and Simón Bolívar in what is now Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru (1808). (Although Haiti is quite different from the other revolutionary movements listed in this set, its revolution is a turning point in Latin American history.) With European powers like France and Spain occupied with the Napoleonic wars and their aftermath, Latin American territories began to slip free from colonizers’ control. Only some attempts at independence were fully successful, but seeds sowed by these early revolutions would yield a great harvest in years to come. In this set, students will begin to see how a group of revolutionaries shaped both the map and the mindset of Latin American nations. 

English

Latin American Revolutionaries

latin-american-revolutions-nineteenth-century_11_e98f869843ebbc9028c50841c32720a4.jpg

“Jose de San Martin,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/e98f869843ebbc9028c50841c32720a4.

A portrait of José de San Martin.

Cite this item

Tips for Students

Item 11 of 12 in the Primary Source Set Latin American Revolutionaries