Between 1808 and 1826, all of mainland Latin America became independent from Spain and Portugal, the colonial powers that had ruled the region for three centuries. Undesirable economic restrictions and a caste system that favored those born in Europe made the conditions for revolution ripe in the Americas. Combined with the actions of insightful leaders-most notably Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin-Latin American independence was all but guaranteed. This title explores the revolutions, their historical causes, and the new nations' ensuing struggles, providing invaluable context for understanding the culture, politics, and social identity of the region today."

Describes the lives and deaths of the seven Liberators, the men who led Latin America's fight for independence and won it in a span of only twenty years after three centuries of Spanish domination.

Latin America's quest for independence is revealed through the national struggles of Mexico, Spanish Central and South America, and Brazil. Excerpted from the Cambridge History of Latin America.

"Rarely has the story of Latin American independence been told so richly and with such a plurality of voices. Chambers and Chasteen have expertly woven a comprehensive yet accessible historical tapestry of primary sources to tell the story of the Wars for Independence. The editors recover fascinating, lesser-known voices---many of which appear in English for the first time here---and situate them alongside canonical sources in rewarding and surprising ways. This is an indispensable resource for students and scholars alike, and an invitation to critically rethink the multiple meanings and resonance of Latin American independence." Christopher Conway, The University of Texas at Arlington "This magnificent collection gives voice to the many peoples---women and men, Blacks and Whites, natives and newcomers---who watched, fought, fled, and most especially put pen to paper as the Iberian empires broke up. All of them bring history to life. The introductions to each document, themselves valuable little essays, will guide even the untutored through the complex labyrinth of Latin America's first revolutions." Jeremy Adelman, Princeton University Maps and illustrations are included, as are a chronology of the Wars for Independence, suggestions for further reading, and a thorough index.

This Oxford Handbook comprehensively examines the field of Latin American history.

This book explores the surprising similarities in the political ideas of the American and Latin American independence movements.

Some selections translated by the editors. Bibliography: p. [305]-308.