Final answer:
The 19th-century Latin American and Caribbean independence movements were driven by a desire for economic freedom, influenced by political changes in Europe, and had outcomes such as national autonomy, economic restructuring, and shifts in power dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 19th-century Latin American and Caribbean independence movements had several causes, including the desire to break free from the mercantilist economic systems that constrained their growth, and the influence of external political changes such as Napoleon's conquest of Europe. Revolutionary leaders in Latin America faced multiple challenges, including the reluctance of mixed-race populations to support independence from Spain and Portugal, the vast geographic challenges, and the isolation of different regions. The effects of these movements included the establishment of independent nations, a shift in power from colonial rule to local elites, and economic changes such as free trade and control over tax revenue.