Latin American independence
Spanish and Portuguese America becomes some twenty republics in fifteen years.
- When
- —
- Duration
- 15 years
- Known to
- ± 1 year
- Era
- Industrial, Holocene
Napoleon's occupation of Spain removes the legitimacy of colonial government, and independence movements led by Bolívar, San Martín and others sweep the mainland between 1810 and 1825; Brazil separates from Portugal peacefully in 1822. Bolívar's hope for a united Spanish America fails against geography and regional elites. Independence largely transfers power to creole landowners, and the social order changes far less than the flags.