Decolonization of the Americas

Quick Facts: Who was Decolonization of the Americas?

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Decolonization of the Americas

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A multi-century process of gaining independence from European colonial rule.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The decolonization of the Americas occurred over several centuries as most of the countries in the Americas gained their independence from European rule. The American Revolution was the first in the Americas, and the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War (1775–83) was a victory against a great power, aided by France and Spain, Britain's enemies. The French Revolution in Europe followed, and collectively these events had profound effects on the Spanish, Portuguese, and French colonies in the Americas. A revolutionary wave followed, resulting in the creation of several independent countries in Latin America. The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804), perhaps one of the most successful slave uprisings in history, resulted in the independence of the French slave colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti).

Career & Major Achievements

The Peninsular War with France, which resulted from the Napoleonic occupation of Spain led to a power vacuum on the throne of Spain. The Spanish liberal revolution resulting from a power vacuum on the throne directly led to democratization in Spanish America, and caused Spanish Creoles to question their allegiance to Spain, stoking independence movements that culminated in various Spanish American wars of independence (1808–33), which were primarily fought between opposing groups of colonists and only secondarily against Spanish forces. At the same time, the Portuguese monarchy fled to Brazil during the French invasion of Portugal. After the royal court returned to Lisbon, the prince regent, Pedro, remained in Brazil and in 1822 successfully declared himself emperor of a newly independent Empire of Brazil. Spain would lose all three of its remaining Caribbean colonies by the end of the 1800s.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Santo Domingo declared its first independence from Spain in 1821. The independent state was renamed Republic of Spanish Haiti. Haiti conquered the region shortly afterwards in 1822. Two decades later, in 1844, independence was proclaimed for the second time, and the Dominican Republic was established. This triggered the Dominican War of Independence (1844–56).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1775: 1775 Milestone — The American Revolution was the first in the Americas, and the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War (1775–83) was a victory against a great power, aided by France and Spain, Britain's enemies.
2. 1791: 1791 Milestone — The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804), perhaps one of the most successful slave uprisings in history, resulted in the independence of the French slave colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti).
3. 1808: 1808 Milestone — The Spanish liberal revolution resulting from a power vacuum on the throne directly led to democratization in Spanish America, and caused Spanish Creoles to question their allegiance to Spain, stoking independence movements that culminated in various Spanish American wars of independence (1808–33), which were primarily fought between opposing groups of colonists and only secondarily against Spanish forces.
4. 1821: 1821 Milestone — Santo Domingo declared its first independence from Spain in 1821.
5. 1822: 1822 Milestone — After the royal court returned to Lisbon, the prince regent, Pedro, remained in Brazil and in 1822 successfully declared himself emperor of a newly independent Empire of Brazil.
6. 1844: 1844 Milestone — Two decades later, in 1844, independence was proclaimed for the second time, and the Dominican Republic was established.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Decolonization of the Americas

True or False: “The American Revolution was the first instance of successful revolt against a major European power in the Americas.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the American Revolution was pivotal, the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) is noted as one of the most successful slave uprisings in history.

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