Rio McCallum
Ms. Willow
CP World History B set
30 November 2018
The Endeavor for Freedom
In the early 19th century, Latin American independence movements were fought to gain freedom from Spain. These revolutions blended the ideal concept of power. Many social groups disputed with Spain, and one other to achieve immunity. A rigid social structure developed where the Spanish- born group called the Peninsularés ranked at the top. They made up less than 1% of the colonial population, but held high- ranking jobs in the government, military, and church. Following them comes the Creoles, making up 23% of the population. They were people with pure Spanish blood who were born in America. They had very little high- ranked jobs, for the Peninsularés filled these jobs. The other 76% of the population was formed by Indians, Mestizos, Mulattos, free blacks, and slaves. Together, they didn’t hold much power, and some of these groups were forced into labor. Despite the Creoles’ passion for economic interest and angst for social unrest, their ambition for political control ultimately led them to lead the fight for Latin American independence.
During this period of time, Latin American colonies were encouraged to acknowledge the economic oppression and revolt against the Spanish. This act was proposed by the Creoles, for they desired economic interest, and grew tired of Spain’s abuse. In document C, a Creole by the name Juan Pablo Viscardo points out, “We in America are perhaps the first to be forced by our own government to sell our products at artificially low prices and by what we need at artificially high prices. This is the result of the Spanish commercial of monopolies system, combined with taxes and official fees.” Due to Spain’s mercantilist ideals, aspects of Latin America’s economy was controlled to benefit the mother country. The Creoles in particular, sought an opportunity to revolt in order to gain financial control, and any power possible.
In 1810, a Mexican Creole priest named Father Hidalgo, challenged the injustices of the Spanish colonial system. Father Hidalgo not only fight for the Creoles, but for all people in Spanish America. This encouraged all social groups to work to better their social status. This concept scared the Creoles, for they only wanted to escalate there social standings. The creoles understand that social divisions in Latin America could potentially infiltrate their economic ways of living. This prompted them to establish their own power, and secure a position in society.
The Creoles were inspired by nationalism to take political control in Latin America. In 1918, a Creole named Simon Bolivar, stated that Creoles were in a conflict due to the fact that their birthplace reflected social and political power. In document A, Bolivar explains, “We are disputing with the natives for titles of ownership, and at the same time we are struggling to maintain ourselves in the country that gave us birth against the opposition of the invaders. Thus, our position is most extraordinary and complicated.” This speech was intended to unite this group through a sense of chauvinism. The Creoles were politically inferior to another group called the Peninsulares, leading them to seize political control of their homeland. Creoles had developing economic and social influence, but the Peninsularés had monopolized all administrative positions.
The Creoles ultimately used their determination to fight for political power, as well and social and economic influence. According to Document F, “When monarchy collapsed in 1808, The Creoles could not allow the political vacuum to remain unfilled, their lives and property and protected. They had to move quickly into anticipate popular rebellion, convinced that if they did not seize the opportunity, more dangerous forces would do so.” They couldn’t Count on the Spanish government to control social unrest, because when Napoleon invaded Spain, Spain defend themselves instead of protecting the colonies.