New Nations in the Western Hemisphere

The success of the American Revolution inspired groups of people in different parts of the world. One region of the world that shared the desire to be free of colonial rule was Latin America. Many parts of Central and South America began to rise up and fight against Spain to gain independence.

Caste System

In New Spain, society was very divided by race and class. Only Peninsulares, or people born in Spain, were allowed to hold positions in the colonial government. People born in New Spain to Spanish parents were part of an inferior social class called Creoles. Anyone of Native American, African American, or mixed heritage would be part of even lower social classes with little opportunity to hold good jobs.

Eventually, revolutions began all over New Spain. A man named Símon Bolívar led a revolt in Venezuela. His army defeated the Spanish in Colombia in 1819 and brought independence to the nations of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. Bolívar earned the nickname “The Liberator” for his role in bringing independence to these nations. The modern day nation of Bolivia is named in his honor.

A man named José de San Martín led the nations of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador to independence. In 1821, Central America declared its independence from Spain. This area included Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

= Bolivar

= Martin

Also in 1821, Mexico, the lifeblood of New Spain, gained its independence. By 1825, Spain had lost all of its colonies in the Western Hemisphere except for Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Spain also faced problems with Florida. American slaves were fleeing there to escape slavery and staying with the Seminole tribe. Together, they occupied a former British fort and created a settlement. Americans led by General Andrew Jackson eventually attacked and destroyed this fort.

Technically, this was an invasion of Spanish territory. Spain did not want to fight a war with the United States. Instead, they met to have peace talks with US Secretary of State John Quincy Adams. Spain agreed to sell Florida to the United States.

As part of the Adams-Onis Treaty the US got Florida and Spain was given $5 million.

Many in the United States supported the new nations that were appearing in the Western Hemisphere. However, many European nations wanted to help Spain regain its colonies.President Monroe addressed this concern in a speech given to Congress in December of 1823. He outlined a foreign policy that came to be known as the Monroe Doctrine.

There were 2 main parts to the Monroe Doctrine:1. The US agreed not to: Interfere with European affairs or European Colonies

2. Europe was told not to: Interfere with new nations or recolonize

The US did not have the strength to back up these demands, but Britain agreed with the Monroe Doctrine.