Latin American Independence Movements
A wave of independence movements liberated most of Latin America from Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule, beginning with Haiti's revolution (1804, the world's only successful slave revolt) and ending with the independence of mainland Spanish colonies by 1830.
Preceding Causes
The Haitian Revolution inspired enslaved and oppressed populations; Enlightenment ideals spread among Creole elites; Napoleon's 1808 invasion of Spain destabilized colonial authority by deposing the Spanish king; and Creole elites resented being excluded from governance despite their economic power.
Napoleonic Wars
A series of conflicts involving Napoleon I's French Empire against shifting European coalitions that reshaped the political map of Europe.
Congress of Vienna
A conference of European ambassadors that redrew the continent's political map after Napoleon's defeat, establishing the Concert of Europe and 40 years of relative peace.