The American empires founded by Spain and Portugal broke up in the 19th century. These European countries were no longer powerful, and their colonies struggled to break away. Wars brought liberation, but independence was often followed by strife between the new nations.
Table 53. LIBERATION
1816Argentina declares independence
1818San Martín liberates Chile
1819Gran Colombia is founded
1820Brazil annexes Uruguay
1821Peru gains independence Venezuela and Ecuador are liberated
1822Brazil breaks away from Portugal
1825Bolivia is liberatedWHO WAS KNOWN AS THE LIBERATOR?Simón Bolívar, “the Liberator,” helped to free much of South America. He fought in Venezuela and ruled Colombia and Ecuador. He freed Peru, and Bolivia was renamed in his honor. Other freedom fighters included Bernardo O’Higgins and José de San Martín, who fought in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.