Libertadores

Libertadores (Spanish pronunciation: [liβeɾtaˈðoɾes] , "Liberators") were the principal leaders of the Spanish American wars of independence from Spain and of the movement in support of Brazilian independence from Portugal. They are named that way in contrast with the Conquistadors.[1]

The Guayaquil conference (1822) between Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, the greatest libertadores (liberators) of Spanish America.

They were largely local-born men of European descent (criollos), in most cases part of the bourgeoisie and with military training in the motherland, who were influenced by liberalism and led colonial subjects in their struggle for independence against the metropole.

List of libertadores

Hispanic America

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Contributed to the independence ofTook part inRefs
Francisco Burdett O'Connor
(1791-1871)
Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, ColombiaSpanish American wars of independence
War of the Confederation
[2]
Pedro Santana
(1801–1864)
Dominican RepublicDominican War of Independence
José de San Martín
(1778–1850)
Argentina, Chile and PeruArgentine War of Independence
Crossing of the Andes
Chilean War of Independence
Peruvian War of Independence
[3]
Simón Bolívar
(1783–1830)
Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and BoliviaVenezuelan War of Independence
Admirable Campaign
First Republic of New Granada
Ecuadorian War of Independence
Peruvian War of Independence
Bolivian War of Independence
[4]
Augustin I of Mexico
(1783–1824)
Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa RicaMexican War of Independence
design of the Plan de Iguala
[5]
Manuel Belgrano
(1770–1820)
Argentina, Bolivia and ParaguayBritish invasions of the River Plate
May Revolution
Paraguay campaign
Argentine War of Independence
Bolivian War of Independence
[6]
Bernardo O'Higgins
(1778–1842)
Chile and PeruChilean War of Independence
Argentine War of Independence
Peruvian War of Independence
[7][8]
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
(1753–1811)
MexicoGrito de Dolores
Mexican War of Independence
[9]
José María Morelos
(1765–1815)
MexicoMexican War of Independence
wrote the Sentimientos de la Nación
[10]
Ramón Castilla
(1797–1867)
PeruPeruvian War of Independence[11]
Andrés de Santa Cruz
(1792–1865)
Bolivia and PeruBolivian War of Independence
Argentine War of Independence
Peruvian War of Independence
Ecuadorian War of Independence
War of the Confederation
[11]
José Gervasio Artigas
(1764–1850)
Argentina and UruguayBritish invasions of the River Plate
Portuguese invasion of the Banda Oriental
Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental
Argentine Civil Wars
[11]
Thomas Cochrane
(1775–1860)
Brazil, ChileFrench Revolutionary Wars
Napoleonic Wars
Chilean War of Independence
Peruvian War of Independence
Brazilian War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
[5]
Francisco de Miranda
(1750–1816)
VenezuelaAmerican Revolutionary War
French Revolution
Venezuelan War of Independence
[12]
Mariano Moreno
(1778–1811)
ArgentinaMay Revolution
Argentine War of Independence
Paraguay campaign
[13]
Antonio José de Sucre
(1795–1830)
Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, VenezuelaVenezuelan War of Independence
Ecuadorian War of Independence
Bolivian War of Independence
Peruvian War of Independence
Gran Colombia–Peru War
[14]

Brazil

Pedro I became known as the libertador (liberator) of Brazil.

Pedro I of Brazil became known as "o Libertador" ("the Liberator") in Brazil for his role in the country's independence.[15] Sporadically, the term has also been applied to other figures such as José Bonifacio (known as the "patriarch for independence"), Maria Leopoldina de Austria, and Joaquim Gonçalves Ledo.[16]


Philippines

Emilio Aguinaldo

Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Filipino President and Generalissimo who liberated the Philippines from the Spanish Empire in 1898, is widely recognized as "El Libertador de la Patria" (The Liberator of the Homeland) [17] [18]

Legacy

The flags of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador follow Francisco de Miranda's design of 1806. Also, Bolivia was named after Símon Bolívar, who in turn was president of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and twice of Venezuela. San Martín served as "President Protector" of Peru.

In what today is part of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, Iturbide, a military leader revolted against the Viceroyalty of New Spain, founded an independent nation where he ascended as Emperor Agustín I.

The names of libertadores are used all over South America to name anything from towns and places to institutions and sports clubs. Also, the most prestigious international club football competition in South America is named the Copa Libertadores in their honour.

See also

Bibliography

  • Robert Harvey. Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for Independence. Woodstock, The Overlook Press, 2000. ISBN 1-58567-072-3
  • James Higgins (editor). The Emancipation of Peru: British Eyewitness Accounts, 2014. Online at https://sites.google.com/site/jhemanperu
  • Marion Lansing. Liberators and Heroes of South America. Boston, L. C. Page & Co., 1940.
  • Irene Nicholson. The Liberators: A Study of Independence Movements in Spanish America. New York, Frederick A. Praeger, 1968.
  • Pigna, Felipe (2010). Libertadores de América. Buenos Aires: Planeta. ISBN 978-950-49-2420-3.

References

External links