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Christopher Columbus landed on the tiny island he called, "La isla espanola"
The island was inhabited by local Arawak Indians who referred to their home as "Hayti" -
Revolt against brutal conflict in the French colony of Saint-Domingue. Expulsion of the French colonial government; establishment of the independent Republic of Haiti.
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the island becomes the first black independent nation
General Dessalines declaring himself emperor -
In response to Napoleon's capture of Spain, although it would not formally declare independence until 1816
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This act became known as the "Cry of Dolores." His ragtag army made it partway to the capital before being driven back, and Hidalgo himself was captured and executed
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Bolívar fought the Spanish in Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia for several years, decisively beating them several times
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Morelos won a series of impressive victories against Spanish forces before being captured and executed
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Brazil gained its independence from Portugal in 1822 in a bloodless revolt. Dom Pedro I assumed the monarchy and became Brazil's first king.
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those countries were free, and Bolívar set his sights on Peru, the last and mightiest Spanish holdout on the continent.
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Brazil joined Uruguay and Argentina in a war against Paraguay. Paraguay held out for five years, but eventually lost.
