Napoleon Invades Spain
Napoleon's invasion of Spain and the subsequent imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII created a power vacuum that spurred independence movements across Latin America.
1808
1810
Grito de Dolores
Father Miguel Hidalgo issued the Grito de Dolores in Mexico, calling for the end of Spanish rule, which marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence.
1811
Venezuelan Declaration of Independence
Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain, led by figures like Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Miranda.
1816
Argentine Declaration of Independence
Argentina formally declared its independence from Spain on July 9, 1816, in the Congress of Tucumán.
1817
Battle of Chacabuco
The Battle of Chacabuco was a decisive victory for the Chilean independence forces led by José de San Martín, leading to the liberation of Santiago.
1819
Battle of Boyacá
Simón Bolívar's forces won the Battle of Boyacá, which was pivotal in securing the independence of Colombia.
1821
Mexican Independence
Mexico achieved its independence from Spain following the Plan of Iguala and the Treaty of Córdoba.
1822
Brazilian Independence
Brazil declared its independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, with Dom Pedro I becoming its first emperor.
1824
Battle of Ayacucho
The Battle of Ayacucho in Peru was the final major military encounter securing the independence of South American countries from Spanish rule.
1825
Bolivian Independence
Bolivia declared its independence on August 6, 1825, named after Simón Bolívar, who played a significant role in its liberation.
1828
Treaty of Montevideo
The Treaty of Montevideo recognized Uruguay's independence, following a conflict between Brazil and Argentina over the territory.
1830
Gran Colombia Dissolution
The dissolution of Gran Colombia resulted in the formation of independent nations: Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
1844
Dominican Independence
The Dominican Republic declared its independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844.
1868
Ten Years' War
The Ten Years' War began in Cuba as the first major attempt to gain independence from Spanish rule, laying the groundwork for future liberation movements.
1898
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War resulted in the independence of Cuba and the cession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
