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The start of the Haitian Revolution
In August 1791, 100,000 enslaved Africans rose in revolt. A leader soon emerged, Toussaint L’Ouverture. Formerly enslaved, Toussaint was unfamiliar with military and diplomatic matters. Even so, he rose to become a skilled general and diplomat. -
Toussaint Takes Control
By 1801, Toussaint had taken control of the entire island and freed all the enslaved Africans. -
Haiti's Independence
Toussaint’s lieutenant, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, took up the fight for freedom. On January 1, 1804, General Dessalines declared the colony an independent country. It was the first black colony to free itself from European control. -
The start of Mexico's revolution
On September 16, 1810, he rang the bells of his village church. When the peasants gathered in the church, he issued a call for rebellion against the Spanish. -
Mexico's independence
Mexico's creoles feared the loss of their privileges in the Spanish-controlled colony. So, they united in support of Mexico's independence from Spain. Ironically, Agustin de Iturbide-the man who had defeated the rebel Padre Morelos-proclaimed independence in 1821. -
Central America Declares it's Independence from Spain
In 1821 a congress of Central America criollos in Guatemala City composed the Act of Independence of Central America to declare the region's independence from Spain. -
Brazilian independence from Portugal
On September 7, 1822, Brazil gained its independence from Portugal's empire after fighting so long to finally be independent. -
Central America declares it's independence from Mexico
On 1 July 1823, the congress of Central America declared the Absolute Declaration. -
South America declares its independence from Spain
In 1810, most of South America was still part of Spain's new world empire. The American and French revolutions provided inspiration, and by 1825, the continent was free, having won its independence at the cost of many bloody wars.