Napoleon Invades Spain
The Napoleonic invasion of Spain led to a power vacuum, weakening Spanish control over its colonies and sparking independence movements across Latin America.
1808
1810
The Beginning of the Mexican War of Independence
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued the Grito de Dolores, calling for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. This marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence.
1811
Independence of Venezuela
Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Miranda led Venezuela to declare its independence from Spain, becoming one of the first Latin American countries to do so.
1816
Argentina Declares Independence
Argentina formally declared its independence from Spain on July 9, 1816, following a series of revolutionary actions that began in 1810.
1817
Battle of Chacabuco
José de San Martín led the Army of the Andes across the Andes Mountains and defeated Spanish forces in the Battle of Chacabuco, leading to the liberation of Chile.
1819
Battle of Boyacá
Simón Bolívar's forces achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Boyacá, which led to the independence of Gran Colombia (modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama).
1821
Independence of Mexico
The Mexican War of Independence concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, which recognized Mexican independence from Spain.
1821
Independence of Peru
José de San Martín declared the independence of Peru on July 28, 1821, after leading a successful campaign against Spanish forces.
1822
Brazil Declares Independence
Prince Dom Pedro declared Brazil's independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, becoming Emperor Pedro I of Brazil.
1824
Battle of Ayacucho
The Battle of Ayacucho was the final major battle for Latin American independence, where Antonio José de Sucre defeated the Spanish royalist forces, ensuring the independence of Peru and the rest of South America.
1825
Independence of Bolivia
Bolivia declared its independence from Spain on August 6, 1825, and named Simón Bolívar as its first president in honor of his role in the liberation of Latin America.
1828
Uruguay Gains Independence
Uruguay declared its independence from Brazil after the Cisplatine War, officially becoming a sovereign nation in 1828.
1830
Dissolution of Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia dissolved into three separate countries: Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Granada (later Colombia), due to political differences and regional tensions.
1838
Central American Federation Dissolves
The United Provinces of Central America, a federation of Central American states, dissolved into separate nations, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
1844
Independence of the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic declared its independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844, after a successful rebellion led by Juan Pablo Duarte and the La Trinitaria movement.
