The term
Latin American revolutions refers to the various
revolutions that took place during the early 19th century that resulted in the creation of a number of independent countries in the
Latin American region. This is considered to be one of the most influential series of events in the
history of the Western Hemisphere.
The rebellion by the British colonies in North America from Great Britain was spurred by a number of taxes and Acts that the colonists had no say over. This infuriated colonists, and started the American Revolution. Colonists in North America were able to start a government of their own because of Enlightenment thinking, and because they were governing themselves on the state level for many years before the rebellion.
The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a period of political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of democracy, citizenship, and inalienable rights. These changes were accompanied by violent turmoil, including executions and repression during the Reign of Terror, and warfare involving every other major European power.
This was a series of wars fought between France (led by Napoleon Bonaparte) and alliances involving Britain, Prussia, Spain, Russia and Austria at different times, from 1799 to 1815.