AOR: Lesson - Revolutions: South America and Brazil

Revolutions in South America and Brazil

The Rise of Simón Bolívar

Like what happened in Mexico, when Napoleon conquered Spain, the people of New Grenada no longer trusted that a small country could rule a large colonial empire. They declared Venezuela independent in 1811. However, it took General Simón Bolívar 10 years, several exiles, and a surprise attack to win the Venezuelan War of Independence in 1821. Along the way, he liberated Colombia and set his sights on Peru.

Image note: a portrait of Simón Bolívar. The painting was completed in 1895 by Arturo Michelena.

Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia - Independence Movements Spread

At the same time, Argentina (formerly La Plata) declared its independence from Spain. They felt forced into independence by the restoration of the King of Spain (after Napoleon’s defeat) as well as by their neighbor Peru’s determination to stay royalist. The Argentine Declaration of Independence also referenced the current independence movements of Venezuela and Mexico. General José de San Martín, successful in Argentina, then liberated Chile but hesitated as he faced Peru.

In 1822, generals Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín met secretly. They agreed to combine forces, led by Bolívar, and liberate Peru. Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia became independent countries, while (now) Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, and Ecuador merged into Gran Colombia with Bolívar briefly as the ruthless yet idealistic president of Gran Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.

Brazil

In 1807, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Portuguese royal family fled to their colony of Brazil. This was probably the right move because remember that Napoleon invaded Spain just one year later.

Since the royal family lived in Brazil, Brazil “upgraded” from colony to kingdom for over a decade. Eventually, most of the royal family returned to Portugal after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815. But King João VI left his young adult son, Dom Pedro, in charge of Brazil. He was confident in Dom Pedro’s ability to rule but was concerned that Dom Pedro’s love of the Enlightenment might hurt Portugal’s colonial empire.

It turns out, King João had a right to be concerned. The Brazilian people drafted an Independence petition with several thousand signatures. The Prince signed it in 1822 and then fought against the Portuguese nobles in Brazil who wanted to stay Portuguese.

Image note: the painting shows the coronation of King Pedro I. It is titled Coronation of Pedro I of Brazil and was painted by Jean-Baptiste Debret in 1828.

King Pedro I supported constitutional monarchy, separation of government powers, and civil rights for the people. However, in 1831, after a disagreement with parliament, a failed war with Argentina, and rumors that his brother murdered his father in Portugal, King Pedro I abdicated the throne of Brazil and left to focus on Portugal.

King Pedro’s six-year-old son became King Pedro II. From most accounts, King Pedro II was good to the people, made Brazil intellectually and economically rich, started the abolition of slavery, and ruled for 60 years. Over time he disagreed with the concept of a constitutional monarchy, and when he was ousted in favor of a dictatorial republic, he stepped down.

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