Unit I: Revolutions, Independence, & the Abolition of Slavery (1/3)

For an understanding of slavery, read Chapter 10 in Brief History of the Caribbean.

Plantation with windmill for processing sugar cane.

Example of Caribbean sugar plantation house in Barbados

Sugar plantation with distillery

Slaves in the fields working the sugar cane

Plantations also produced tobacco and other crops

Slavery existed throughout all Caribbean possessions

Part 1 of a documentary on 'Big Sugar'

Contrast colonial societies in the Caribbean with those of mainland Latin America.

The late 18th Century and early 19th Century saw the liberation of a huge portion of the colonized Americas from Europe. The motivation for each of these independence movements however, was unique. Often, as we shall see, the movement for independence was led by colonial elites who wanted more direct control for their own destiny than having to adhere to directives from Europe and their representatives in the colonies.
Can you make the connections between the following?
The American Revolution

The French Revolution

The Napoleonic Wars

The Haitian Revolution (read p164-187 in Brief History of the Caribbean)

Saint-Domingue was the wealthiest colony in the Caribbean at the time of the French Revolution.

The Haitian Revolution is perhaps the most significant revolution of the era.

Toussaint L'Ouverture played a the most significant role. We will watch a documentary on him and the
Haitian Revolution called Egalite For All.

Mexican Independence (read p127-141 in Concise History of Mexico)

Padre Miguel Hidalgo and his grito were the catalyst of the war for Mexican Independence. However, it took many more years, other leaders such as Morelos & Guerrero, and the subsequent 'turn' on Iturbide for it to be acheived.

Agustin de Iturbide -- Emporer Agustin I

Independence of Nueva Granada

Battles for an independent Nueva Granada

Simon Bolivar envisioned an independent and united Latin America

Nueva Granada 

Latin America (sans Mexico) following the wars of independence

Compare the characteristics of each of the various independence movements:
- What are some similarities?
- What are some marked differences?
- How do the recognized leaders of these movements compare?
- Do you concur with the thesis that the wars of independence were led by colonial elites? Why/Why not?
- Is there one event in this composite history which has overwhelming influence on the other events?