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Kris Garrett October 15, 2009 Ms. Kelly History of the Americas Independence Movements in Latin America were positive

The immediate effects of Independence movements in Latin America were positive for the following reasons:

First, the Spanish colonist where fighting for their independence they began to set up a new nation. Along with creating their new nation the colonist also began to have feelings of nationalism towards their new country. Colonists in Latin America were also breaking away from the neglect, abuse, and cruelty of Spain. If colonist did not rise up against the Spanish oppression they may have continued to suffer the neglect, abuse, and cruelty of Spain for many years. Second, by fighting for their independence colonist ended the strict trading restrictions Spain enforced on them. This encouraged colonist to seek free trade with Europe. And with Spain falling apart in Europe colonist began to lose faith in their mother country. If the colonists did not break the trading restrictions the economy would have suffered further decline. The colonist quickly realized that the Spanish economy was rapidly declining and they did not want to be further affected by it. Colonist began to also practice European enlightenment ideas which broke away from the authority of a single powerful monarch. The American and French Revolution along with Spain’s unfair taxation inspired Latin American colonist to seek and take control over their economic and political affairs. By fighting for their freedom colonist were taking higher positions of authority that were favored by European-born residents by expelling them and putting Latin American Born residents in their positions. This was because they realized that in order to obtain their desired reforms they must hold political power. If colonist did not participate in politics they would have lost a major section in their independence movement. Portuguese colonies faced the same issues as the Spanish. Brazil a Portuguese colony recognized their independence in a more peaceful manner than anywhere else in the sub-continent. The movement was considered peaceful because there was no bloodshed unlike other Latin American independence movements. The immediate effects of Independence movements in Latin America were also positive because even though Spanish Americans did not form one continent the idea of freedom form Spain and Portugal untied them. Along with Independence came education twenty-three universities were established in Latin America. This increased the general education, creating a more learned society. Freedom in Latin America gave Creoles opportunities for a higher education in Europe. The Crowns allowance of local militias for defense further emboldened colonist to use them for to their advantage. Merchants and plantation owners became the focal point of the revolution. Because of Napoleon’s capture of the Spanish king major ties were broken between Latin America and Spain. After the crown was captured there was a major loss in belief of hegemony. The end of hegemony was positive because it let colonist and natives do as they please without the fear of God condemning them. Even after Napoleons defeat at Waterloo and Fernando being restored to power colonist had already realized that they could govern themselves. The colonist quickly reacted to the fall of Spain and formed councils called Juntas. The Juntas only furthered the idea of Independence of Spain because it showed the colonist could establish forms of government without the help of the crown. The most important immediate affect of the independence movements in Latin Americans gained their Independence from Spain and Portugal. This was not the only positive out come along with freedom came the end of trading restrictions and Latin Americans played key roles in politics. Creating a free Independent Nation.