Latin America

Haiti: the First Free Republic

Prior to 1492, Haiti was a small island of native Caribbean peoples who traveled back and forth between islands on small canoe like boats.

Cristoforo Columbus arrives on Haiti!!!!!

This is definitely not

where I parked my spices….

In order to farm the sugar, the Spanish bring slaves from Africa to work the fields All the natives are already dead….

Mid-1700’s the Spanish lose control of the island to the French

French continue to farm the island for sugar to produce RUM!!!!!

At the onset of the French Revolution, the French forget the existence of Haiti

The Haitian people (now a mix of native, African, and French) begin to run the island on their own

Upon ending the French Revolution, Napoleon wants back Haiti!

But Haiti had prospered without the French…

Former slave

Toussaint led the Haitians against the French army

And won!?!?!?!?!

Decimated by disease and a pesky war with Great Britain, was unable to defend itself against the organized efforts of

Francois-Dominique Toussaint Louverture!!!

Simon Bolivar dominating all the way!

Prior to 1492, South America was controlled by the Incas, Aztecs, and Mayan Empires.

After the Spanish conquered each of the areas, the Spanish moved into the areas and forced the indigenous people to farm and mine gold.

Society divided into social classes based upon birth1.  Peninsulares are the men born in Spain and were the highest class and held the most powerful political positions2.  Creoles are Spaniards born in Latin America and often were army officers3.  Mestizos are mixed European and Indian ancestry4.  Mulattos are people of mixed European and African ancestry5.  Africans6.  Indians 

Born in 1783, a Venezuelan Creole

Traveled to Europe

Learned of European independence and military tactics

"I will not rest until I have broken the chains that binds us to the will of Spain “

Organizes South Americans across the continent

Liberates Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama,