Week 5, Project 5a

The independence of Latin American was when Latin America fought with rebellions agaisnt Spain and Portugal for independence. Miguel Hidalgo led the highly successful mission to gain independence for Mexico. In northern South America, Simon Bolivar helped many revolutions. The first rebellion agaisnt the Spainards took place in 1809 for eventual victories in Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In the southern cone of the continent, the struggle for independence was led by General Jose de San Martin (who fought for independence in Argentina, Chili, and Peru). Though Latin America remained independent from Portugal and Spain, they remained dependent economically in Europe by shipping exports (sugar, beef, coffee...) Simon Boiviar made an enormous effort to try to create a Pan American government in Gran Columbia, but it failed due to geographic barriers, along with many different military rulers and not enough civillian rulers. Latin America is currently independent, but not all countries in Latin America are culturally connected.

I chose to write my topic on Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla (full name); otherwise known as Miguel Hidalgo. When I was researching Latin American independence his name came up in important text an awful lot, so naturally I wanted to learn more about what, when, where, and how he led Latin America to independence. Hidalgo was first known as a mexican roman catholic priest, hence the nickname: Father of the Country. Although he was trained as a priest, he was also interested in political and social questions. He then became interested in spanish oppression and started conspiring with educated criollos, for a large uprising of mestizos and indigenous Amerindian peasants.

Another feat of independence was Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores ("Cry of Dolores") which took place on September 15, 1810. This speech was made in the city of Dolores where Hidalgo rang his church bells as a warning to the villagers. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez reportedly told Hidalgo that the Spainards knew of his plan to rebel. Hidalgo then demanded independence of his people in the "Cry of Dolores". He also told all his people to expel all foreign invaders/rulers out of Mexico so the natives could take control of their own country.

The legacy of Hidalgo still lives on in Mexico. There is a state named after Hidalgo and the city of Dolores Hidalgo for this man's honor. The 1000 peso note is imprinted with Hidalgo's image as wel. On September 15 late at night every year, the Mexican president ring the bells of the National Palace in Mexico City to re-enact the event. September 16 is celebrated as Mexico's Independence Day, long live Hidalgo!

sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Hidalgo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_revolutions
These sources are credible because I checked other various sites that contained the same information.