After independence most South American countries

July is a month of patriotism in North and South America.

On July 1 the most northern among us celebrated Canada Day, commemorating the country's shift to a self-governed entity. Just a few days later, on the 4th of July, the United States overflows with picnics and firework displays in celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a 1776 act that signaled separation from British colonial rule.

South America isn’t all that different. Many of the continent's 12 independent countries gained their freedom from European rulers in the months of July, August, or September, typically between the years of 1810-1825. Like Canada and the United States, the areas in South America that declared independence looked different than they do today. Much of the continent was divided into viceroyalties that do not align with modern day boarders.

If you’re traveling to South America this summer, keep an eye on the date. Many businesses will be closed during national holidays, but you’ll be able to enjoy parades, festivals, and other national-themed celebrations.

Fast Facts about Independence in South America

• South American nations won their independence primarily from Spain, but also from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

• The first country to declare independence was Colombia in 1810. The last was Suriname in 1975.

• French Guiana is still an official part of France.

• Gran Colombia was the first union of independent nations in South America. It included most of northern South America and existed from 1819 until 1831.

• Simon Bolivar, a military and political leader from Venezuela, played a major role in the independence movement in at least 5 South American nations. The country Bolivia is named after him.

• Several countries celebrate other milestones. Guyana, for example, celebrates Republic Day (also called Mashramani) on February 23 to mark the day Guyana became a republic in 1970.

Independence Days in South America by Date

May

Paraguay - 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

Guyana - 26 May 1966 (from the United Kingdom, originally settled by Netherlands)

July

Venezuela - 5 July 1811 (from Spain)

Argentina - 9 July 1816 (from Spain)

Colombia - 20 July 1810 (from Spain)

Peru - 28 July 1821 (from Spain)

August

Bolivia - 6 August 1825 (from Spain)

Ecuador – 10 August 1822 (from Spain)

Uruguay - 25 August 1825 (from Spain, then  Brazil)

September

Brazil - 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

Chile - 18 September 1810 (from Spain)

November

Suriname - 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)

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​​​​​​​Last updated: February 2020

The Latin American Wars of Independence were the various revolutions that took place during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and resulted in the creation of a number of independent countries in Latin America. These revolutions followed the American and French Revolution, which had profound effects on the Spanish, Portuguese and French colonies in the Americas. Haiti, a French slave colony, was the first to follow the United States to independence, during the Haitian Revolution. Creoles in South America, led by Simon Bolivar, followed with revolutions of their own gaining independence for the rest of Latin America.

Characteristics of the Colonial System

• Colonial governments mirrored the home governments
• Catholicism had a strong influence on the development of the colonies
• A major element of the economy was the mining of precious metals for export.
• Hacienda – A Spanish owned plantation that used native or slave labor
• Encomienda – the right to organize unpaid labor by the earliest Spanish colonists in Latin America.
• Established major cities as outposts of colonial authority
  • Havana
  • Mexico City
  • Lima
  • Sao Paulo
  • Buenos Aires
• Rigid Class Structure
  • Viceroys/colonial officer
  • Creoles
  • Mestizo

Influence of the American and French Revolutions on the Americas

• Revolutions in the Americas were led by native born men of European background (except for French Haiti) who were able to rally the population to the cause of independence.
• Slaves in Haiti rebelled, abolished slavery, and won independence.
• Father Miguel Hidalgo started the Mexican independence movement.
• Independence came to French, Spanish, and Portuguese colonies.

Locations of selected countries that gained independence during the 1800s

• Mexico
• Haiti
• Colombia
• Venezuela
• Brazil

Contributions of Toussaint L’Ouverture

• Former slave who led Haitian rebellion against French.
• Defeated the armies of three foreign powers: Spain, France, and Britain.
• At first, Haiti tasted freedom, but after L’Ouverture’s death, it fell into despotism.

Contributions of Simon Bolivar

• Liberated the northern areas of Latin America.
• Native-born resident who led revolutionary efforts.
• Tried during the 1820s to bring regions together under a federal constitution modeled after that of the United States. The plan failed because of the differences of the Latin American peoples.

Monroe Doctrine was issued by American President, James Monroe in 1823.

• The document was backed by the British government as well.
• Latin American nations were acknowledged to be independent.
• The United States would regard as a threat to its own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere.
• The United States would not interfere in European affairs.
• The document continues to be a cornerstone of American foreign policy.

When did most countries in South America gain their independence?

Who did most of South America get their independence from?

What were some of the challenges South American countries faced after independence?

Who Colonised most of South America?