How Latin American nations won independence

Grade 10 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and the US Department of State): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies. Card C, Reading X (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808 broke the ties of rule and opened a chance that colonies had not had before. Card D, Reading Y (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because discontent had built up over centuries of colonial rule, so the colonies were ready to break away whenever a chance came.

2. 1.

   Card A says the Plan of Iguala promised equality of all groups. A student writes, "Equality was achieved in 1821." What does Card A allow, Ari asks?

   • Nothing can be said, since a promise is not an event
   • The Plan united groups that agreed on everything, since it joined insurgents and an army
   • A promise was made in 1821; the card does not say it was kept
   • Equality was achieved, since the Treaty of Córdoba followed the Plan in August

3. Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum): José de San Martín (1778 to 1850) helped win freedom for his native Argentina (dated 1812 on one museum page; many other sources date Argentina's declaration of independence to 1816), then independence for Chile in 1818 and Peru in 1821, and led Peru's new government. He is considered a national hero in Argentina. Simón Bolívar (1783 to 1830), called El Libertador, won victories that helped Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela win independence. Bolivia is named in his honor. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card C, Reading Z (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because leaders such as Hidalgo, San Martín and Bolívar organized and carried on the struggle when others might have given up. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies.

4. 2.

   Card A dates Argentina's freedom to 1812 on one page, but many sources use 1816 for its declaration. What should a historian do, Esme asks?

   • Ask what each date marks, such as a first step or a declaration, and check a source
   • Use 1816, since the later date is the safer one, because a later date is less likely to be wrong
   • Use 1812, since a museum page is a stronger source than other sources, and museums check dates
   • Drop Argentina from the discussion, since a country with two dates cannot be used

5. Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and the US Department of State): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies. Card C, Reading X (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808 broke the ties of rule and opened a chance that colonies had not had before. Card D, Reading Y (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because discontent had built up over centuries of colonial rule, so the colonies were ready to break away whenever a chance came.

6. 3.

   Which fact on Cards A and B best supports Reading X, Napoleon's invasion, over Reading Y, long discontent, Jun asks?

   • Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821, which built up resentment
   • Napoleon's 1808 invasions reached Spain's colonies and Portugal's court alike
   • In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain, before the invasion
   • Hidalgo called the people to rise in 1810 and was captured in 1811, showing a revolt but no cause

7. Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum): José de San Martín (1778 to 1850) helped win freedom for his native Argentina (dated 1812 on one museum page; many other sources date Argentina's declaration of independence to 1816), then independence for Chile in 1818 and Peru in 1821, and led Peru's new government. He is considered a national hero in Argentina. Simón Bolívar (1783 to 1830), called El Libertador, won victories that helped Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela win independence. Bolivia is named in his honor. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card C, Reading Z (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because leaders such as Hidalgo, San Martín and Bolívar organized and carried on the struggle when others might have given up. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies.

8. 4.

   Reading Z says leaders mattered most. Which new evidence would best test it, Luz asks?

   • What happened to the struggle when a leader was captured, and who carried it on
   • More summaries that name the same three leaders, since agreement shows they mattered
   • A list of the leaders' birth years, since older leaders were more important
   • A count of countries each leader helped free, since more countries means more influence

9. Use this

   Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and the US Department of State): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies. Card C, Reading X (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808 broke the ties of rule and opened a chance that colonies had not had before. Card D, Reading Y (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because discontent had built up over centuries of colonial rule, so the colonies were ready to break away whenever a chance came.

10. 5.

    Compare how long it took: Mexico from 1810 to 1821, Brazil from the court's move in 1808 to 1822. What is fair to say, Milo asks?

    • Both took the same time, since both begin with Napoleon in 1808 and end with a declaration
    • About 11 years for Mexico and 14 for Brazil, though the start dates mark different events
    • Mexico's took 300 years, since Spain ruled for that long and the struggle ended that rule
    • Brazil's was shorter, since it declared independence in one day rather than through a long war
11. 6.

    Card A: in 1810 a priest called the people to rise; in 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined insurgents and an army. What changed, Noah asks?

    • It narrowed to one army, since Iturbide's army ended the insurgents, leaving a smaller struggle
    • Nothing changed, since both events were against Spain and both were led by one group
    • The people stopped taking part, since the army took over the struggle from them in 1821
    • It widened from one priest's call to a union of insurgents and an army promising equality

12. Use this

    Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum): José de San Martín (1778 to 1850) helped win freedom for his native Argentina (dated 1812 on one museum page; many other sources date Argentina's declaration of independence to 1816), then independence for Chile in 1818 and Peru in 1821, and led Peru's new government. He is considered a national hero in Argentina. Simón Bolívar (1783 to 1830), called El Libertador, won victories that helped Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela win independence. Bolivia is named in his honor. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card C, Reading Z (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because leaders such as Hidalgo, San Martín and Bolívar organized and carried on the struggle when others might have given up. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies.

13. 7.

    Cards A, B and D: one trigger in 1808, yet a long fight in Spain's colonies and a court move in Portugal's. What does that show, Pia asks?

    • One trigger met different starting conditions and gave different results
    • The trigger did not matter, since the results differed so much between the two empires
    • Portugal's colonies were weaker, since their court moved to the colony
    • Spain's colonies fought because they were poorer, since Brazil had a court
14. 8.

    Card A: Bolívar's victories helped five countries, San Martín's three. A student says Bolívar did more. What is the limit on that, Ren asks?

    • There is no limit, since five countries is more than three countries, so more was done
    • They did equal work, since both helped Peru and each freed several countries
    • San Martín did more, since his three countries were larger and harder to free
    • Counts of countries ignore size and difficulty, and Peru is in both counts

15. Use this

    Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and the US Department of State): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies. Card C, Reading X (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808 broke the ties of rule and opened a chance that colonies had not had before. Card D, Reading Y (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because discontent had built up over centuries of colonial rule, so the colonies were ready to break away whenever a chance came.

16. 9.

    Card A: Hidalgo's speech was September 16, 1810 and he was captured March 21, 1811. A student says he led the struggle for 11 years. What is fair, Tala asks?

    • About three years, since the Plan of Iguala came later and finished what he began
    • One year, since 1811 minus 1810 is 1 and he was captured in 1811, so the struggle ended
    • About six months of Hidalgo's leadership, not 11 years; others carried on
    • 11 years, since 1821 minus 1810 is 11 and he began the struggle in 1810

17. Use this

    Cards A to D. Card A, a summary in our words, written today (from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum): José de San Martín (1778 to 1850) helped win freedom for his native Argentina (dated 1812 on one museum page; many other sources date Argentina's declaration of independence to 1816), then independence for Chile in 1818 and Peru in 1821, and led Peru's new government. He is considered a national hero in Argentina. Simón Bolívar (1783 to 1830), called El Libertador, won victories that helped Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela win independence. Bolivia is named in his honor. Card B, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian): Mexico, from New Spain to independence. Spain ruled New Spain for about 300 years, from 1521 to 1821. In the early 1800s Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, which gave Spain's colonies an opening to fight for independence. On September 16, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, the priest of Dolores, called the people to rise in the speech known as the Grito de Dolores. On March 21, 1811 Hidalgo was captured, and later executed. On February 24, 1821 the Plan of Iguala joined Guerrero's insurgents and Iturbide's army and promised equality of all groups. On August 24, 1821 the Treaty of Córdoba was signed and Mexico won independence. Hidalgo is called the Father of Mexican Independence. The United States recognized Mexico on December 12, 1822. Card C, Reading Z (invented for this sheet, not a historian's words): Independence came mainly because leaders such as Hidalgo, San Martín and Bolívar organized and carried on the struggle when others might have given up. Card D, a summary in our words, written today (from the Library of Congress): Brazil, a different path. Brazil was a colony of Portugal. In 1808, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, the Portuguese royal court under Dom João (later King João VI) moved to Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil became the only colony to be the seat of its empire. The first printing press arrived with the royal court. From 1810 Spain's colonies to the north and west fought for independence. On September 7, 1822 Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal. Independence won support from a broad base of people, monarchists most of all. One trigger, Napoleon in 1808, reached both Spain's and Portugal's colonies.

18. 10.

    Card D: the court moved in 1808, independence came in 1822. A student says Brazil waited 14 years because Portugal refused. What does Card D allow, Zee asks?

    • The gap is 12 years, since Spain's colonies began to fight in 1810, so the clock starts then
    • Portugal refused for 14 years, since independence took that long to arrive and refusals take time
    • Brazil fought a 14-year war, since Spain's colonies fought wars to win independence
    • 14 years separate the dates, but the card gives no reasons or events between them