Why did the Creoles lead the fight for Latin American Independence?
Partial Essay- 2nd Hour
GLOBAL HIPPO
Ellie & Nick’s Introductory Paragraph:
During the age of exploration, Europeans came to the Americas and established colonies. Latin America, colonized by the Spanish, had tension within the social classes. This was due to the complete power and control given to the peninsulares (full-blooded Spaniards). In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Spanish government and placed his brother on the throne, sparking a revolution. During the 19th century, Spanish control in Latin America caused Creoles to lead a revolution because they felt pressure from lower social classes, wanted independence, and wanted control over their economy.
Above paragraph includes:Global Connection & Thesis Gia & Lindsey’s Body Paragraph:
In Latin America, economies affected everyday living. The Creoles struggled economically because Spain’s administration controlled their finances by placing limitations on them. The forced commercial monopoly system affected how items were priced, which was a negative for the Creoles (Doc C). The over involvement of Spain with the Creoles finances pushed them to fight back. Juan Pablo Viscardo was a suffering Creole who supported independence. First hand, Viscardo was concerned for how the outcome of the unfair system would affect the Creoles. In 1809, a major drought hit that destroyed the Creoles main source of food and money. The effects of this had many negative consequences for Latin America (Doc D). With food prices tripled and a lot of unemployment, conflict began between the social classes. The Creoles sought to capitalize on the conflict and get some power. Historically speaking, the Creoles pushed to improve their circumstances. Spain was overwhelmed with an invading French army led by Napoleon. This led to Latin American colonies facing struggles economically and socially. This gave the Creoles an opportunity to unite and get inspired to what their future could hold. Once Spain turned their back to the colonies, all of the social classes became aware of the unfair society. The crux of the issue is that the Creoles suffered economically at the hand of their mother country Spain.
Above paragraph includes SAS of 2 documents, 2 HIPP, Outside Info Bella & Madi’s Body Paragraph:
One reason the Creoles led the fight for Latin American independence was their drive to fulfill their own desires. Simon Bolivar, a revolutionary leader, expressed the complicated position his people were in as they fought to be recognized by the native South Americans as well as people of their mother country (Doc A). This position that suppressed the Creoles, continued to drive their need to be recognized. Bolivar wanted others to see the struggle his people had been facing. However, their self regarding ideas proved helpful in their fight. As the Spanish monarchy fell in 1808, the Creoles took this as an opportunity to show leadership (Doc F). Best seen when Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew Spain and let his brother take the throne. This takeover meant no protection from the Spanish monarchy against the challenged white supremacy. Creoles felt the pressure surrounding them and felt the need to change their limited yet restricted position in government. Above paragraph includes SAS of 2 documents, 2 HIPP Nolan’s Outside Info:
The Spanish in Mexico controlled all of the mines in the country and produced millions in pesos. They found the use of mercury amalgamation and overused it so much that if contaminated the environment and sickened the workforce. Since the workforce was hurt, it destroyed the whole economy.
Why did the Creoles lead the fight for Latin American Independence?
Partial Essay- 3rd Hour
GLOBAL HIPPO
Madi & Zach’s Partial Essay:
In 1452 Christopher Columbus discovered the new world and Latin America began to be colonized. While under European rule strict social classes created tension between creoles and the other classes. Eventually, Americans grew tired of this conflict and began to seek more power and freedom from Spain. From the late 17th century to the early 18th century, creoles led the fight for independence in Latin America by seeking nationalism and more political representation, as well as resenting the system of mercantilism.
Above paragraph includes:Global Connection & Thesis One primary reason the creoles led the fight towards independence was their dislike of mercantilism. Juan Pablo Viscardo, a creole born in Peru, wrote a letter explaining that restrictions placed on America by Spain limited their basic personal and property rights (document C). Viscardo believed that Americanos should have more control because Spanish policies resulted in America being restricted economically, which led them to seek independence. As a creole, Viscardo viewed independence as necessary and beneficial for Latin America. Spanish authorities also used their power to enforce a labor system known as encomienda. The epidemics and mistreatment associated with this system had very negative effects on the Amerindian population. Reformed laws and more freedom from Spain were needed to escape this forced labor and gain independence. From 1808-1809, a massive drought in Mexico caused an economic crisis which allowed the creoles to further their role in the Latin American Revolution (document D). This crisis weakened the mercantilism system and allowed the creoles to capitalize on these social tensions, thus moving towards independence. Natural issues such as drought largely contributed to other revolutions such as the French revolution, when wheat was produced at a low level. Therefore the drought in Mexico from 1808-1809 would follow a similar pattern. The dislike of mercantilism was one reason why the creoles fought for economic independence in Latin America.
Above paragraph includes SAS of 2 documents, 2 HIPP, Outside Info
Josie & Nick’s Partial Essay:
In 1492, Columbus found the Americas on a voyage to Asia. This led to more explorers such as Cortez and Pizzaro to conquer the Inca and Aztec empires in Latin America. Once colonies were established and Europeans started migrating to the new world, inneracial marriages were formed. A new social structure was started based off of Spanish origins, which many disagreed with. During the 19th century, in Latin America, the Creoles led the fight against the Spanish Throne because of their desire for power, equal representation in government, and economic control.
Above paragraph includes:Global Connection & Thesis The desire for political power was a main factor in the Creole decision to lead the fight. According to an article called “ The Independence of Latin America '', the Creoles wanted to become leaders in the government after the Spanish monarchy fell to protect their lives and property (Doc F). Since the Creoles were considered part of the elite, they had the most property to lose. In order to keep their wealth they needed to gain political control so they could stop rebellion and keep their lifestyles. The Creoles and other social classes started when Europeans migrated to Latin America, and married interracially. These marriages caused racial tension, founding social classes. The artist, Juan O’Gorman, painted the mural called “Grito de Dolores,” which depicts a Creole priest, Miguel Hidalgo, leading the lower classes in a fight against Spain (Doc E). This showed significance because it portrays how the majority of the Creole class didn't want the Mestizos and Indians to have a big part in the revolt, even though they wanted to reach the same goal. Juan O’Gorman intended for this painting to show how the majority of the people in Latin America were united no matter what race they were. However , it also showed how the elite look down on other social classes, even if they wanted the same result. Latin America wasn’t the only region with social classes. The French Revolution started because of the country's three estates. The estates were separated into the clergy, nobility, and commoners. The French government lost their hold on the people by taxing unfairly and by giving privileges to higher classes, much like Spain gave privileges to to the higher social classes in the Americas. The desire to control their own lives, was one of the determining factors of why the Creoles stepped up to lead the fight against Spain.
Above paragraph includes SAS of 2 documents, 2 HIPP, Outside Info
Bryce & Sladen’s Partial Essay: For most of history, people were ruled by absolute monarchs, or people who had absolute political power. During the Enlightenment in the 18th century, people began to reject this idea, leading to the American and French revolutions. These, in turn, inspired the Latin American revolutions. In the 19 century, the revolutions throughout Latin America were led by Creoles because they were economically stable, there were open political positions, and they were aware of the people lower and higher in the class system.
Above paragraph includes:Global Connection & Thesis The Creoles were able to lead because they were economically stable when other social classes were not. Juan Pablo Viscardo described how Spain restricted America's commerce and how Americans could only sell their goods to Spain at artificially low prices (Doc. C). This heavily affected the peninsulares, who owned plantations and made money by selling crops. They didn't make as much money as they could have elsewhere and this economically hurt them. The other social classes, namely the mestizos and mulattoes , were very low on the hierarchy, and this was reflected in their economic situation. Many were poor and weren't able to do much besides work. Creoles didn't rely on crops and weren't poor, which allowed them to do well even with the limitations. Viscardo wrote this letter to try to convince Spain to repeal the limitations on America. Then, another event affected America's economy. In 1808-1809, there was a drought that killed many livestock and decimated the fields. This led to an increase in food prices, a rise in unemployment, and the mining and manufacturing sectors faltering (Doc. D). At this time, Napoleon was invading Spain, which left the Latin American colonies all on their own. When the food prices tripled, the mestizos and mulattos didn't have enough money to buy the food they needed. They weren't economically stable. The peninsular's crops had been destroyed, costing them the money they received when they sold their crops. The Creoles, however, had enough money to buy the food at it's increased cost. This gave them time to lead the revolutions. One example of this is Father Hidalgo. When food prices rose, Father Hidalgo rang a bell in the town square to attract a crowd. There, he went into a fiery speech on why there should be a revolution to free Mexico from Spanish rule. Hidalgo started a march towards Mexico city to take on the Spanish Army. He started the journey with his small church congregation, but by the time he reached Mexico City he has amassed an army of 80,000 volunteers. The economic stability of the Creoles allowed them to lead the Latin American Revolutions.
Above paragraph includes SAS of 2 documents, 2 HIPP, Outside Info
Why did the Creoles lead the fight for Latin American Independence?
Partial Essay- 4th Hour
GLOBAL HIPPO
Emma & Tucker’s Introductory Paragraph
Within 1500-1800, Spain established colonies in Latin America. In the colonies, a social hierarchy developed with Peninsulares maintaining the highest social standards, due to them originating in Spain. Below, on the hierarchy were Spaniards born in America, Creoles, who maintained the second class in society. With the Age of Enlightenment, it inspired citizens of lower classes to revolt, seeing that they were being treated unfairly. With the Spanish Empire growing weaker and older, coupled with the invasion of Napoleon and his troops it weakened Latin America in general. The Creoles saw this as a great opportunity to fight for what they desired: independence. For 30 years of the 1800s, the Latin American Creoles would lead the fight for independence from Spanish authority. Inspired by nationalism and the new sense of social identity, as well the desire for more economic opportunities and the fear of social conflict emerging, the Creoles would fight for the gain of independence.
Above paragraph includes:Global Connection & Thesis Connor & Thorin’s Partial Essay: In the 19th century, Peninsulares, dominated the social hierarchy of South American Spanish colonies. Peninsulares, being of pure Spanish blood, were socially ranked higher than Creoles, Spanish blood and born in America. With this social structure in mind, Creoles lead the fight for independence from Spain by having a political following during a time of social and economic conflict.
Above paragraph includes:Global Connection & Thesis One cause of Creoles taking the lead for independence from Spain was the economic control Spain had over the colonies. During this time, South American colonies main export was silver, which experienced a major inflation of price when it became widespread. With this in mind, Spain monopolized on the exports from South America. As shown by a letter written by Juan Pablo Viscardo in 1791, Spanish American colonies were forced to sell their products for less and spend more on imports. (Doc C.) Taking into consideration that this document was written by a Creole, Viscardo was likely directly affected by Spain's economic monopoly. These Spanish restrictions on commerce gave the Creoles a major reason to fight for independence from Spain. Another reason why the Creoles felt economically oppressed was the drought that destroyed their harvest. From 1808-1809, a great drought caused extreme mortality to Mexico's livestock causing food prices to triple. (Doc D.) In the context of this time, Spanish America's main export was silver and sugar. The drought during this time caused the unemployment rate to rise which likely tightened Spain's economic grip on Spanish America. In summary, Peninsulares hold on Spanish America's economy is one major reason that fueled the Creoles to fight for independence from Spain.
Above paragraph includes SAS of 2 documents, 2 HIPP