How Liberalism in Europe Caused Revolution in Latin America
by The acquisition of empires in Latin America had given Spain and Portugal the status of great powers during the 16th century. However, both countries were in decline from the 17th century their places as great powers eventually taken over by Britain and France. Both countries had retained their empires in Latin America although their power and control were declining.
Latin America continued to be very important for Spain and Portugal but in many respects the importance of Spain and Portugal was declining in Latin America and its Creoles in particular. Spain’s decline was much greater that Portugal’s particularly as the Habsburg dynasty came to a close and she had more to decline from. The apparent revival and reforms of the new Bourbon dynasty both in Spain and Latin America stopped the rot but did not reverse it. Spanish administration in Latin America was corrupt and its formal exclusion of the Creoles caused resentment. Liberal ideas were not however completely alien to these groups due to the United States successful independence from Britain and Haiti’s independence from France (Williamson, 1991, p.195). It was Napoleon’s invasion of Spain and Portugal and its consequences that allowed the anti-colonial movements in Latin America to develop and expand. It instigated cycles of liberal revolution in the Iberian Peninsula but also had more immediate consequences for the anti-colonial movements. Imperial garrisons could not be reinforced as Spanish and Portuguese forces were involved in the struggle to defeat the French thus allowing the anti colonial movements greater scope for success (Crystal, 2003, p.704).
Although the Creole’s were not allowed senior political and administrative positions they were allowed to join the militias that maintained the security of Hispanic Latin America. Militia experience and equipment would prove useful to the future liberation of Latin America. It also gave the leaders of the anti colonial common experiences with shared political and military outlooks; they were already prone to liberal influences. Even before the outbreak of liberal revolutions Spain’s long-term ability to hold onto Latin America was smashed with its navy at Trafalgar. In effect the Royal Navy decided which Spanish ships could reach or return from Latin America. Until the Napoleonic Wars finished the Spanish forces in Latin America had to rely on their own resources and abilities to resist the anti colonial movements, as they could not expect reinforcements. By the time the Spanish had switched sides in the Napoleonic wars all their troops were involved in the war against the French invaders. Whilst the Spanish resistance to Napoleon cited liberalism and nationalism as their motivation it also proved to be the same for those in Latin America who wanted independence. The difference was that the anti colonial movements were fighting for their independence and liberalism at the same time, whilst the Spanish and Portuguese were fighting the French first then aiming towards liberal revolution after the French were defeated (Roberts, 1996, pp.314-15).
Liked it
