Mexico’s journey to independence started in the early 1800’s as Creole and indigenous …show more content…
Unlike Mexico in the early 1800’s, Peru did not want to take the risk of revolting against Peninsulars. Peruvian Creoles knew that it was a dangerous situation to form a revolt of indigenous people against the Peninsulars because they had dealt with a similar situation in the past where thousand of Indians, mestizos, and Creoles were killed during a rebellion (Hudson). So, Peru took a slower approach to independence than Mexico (Chasteen 97). It wasn’t until 1817 when patriot army leaders Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin began fighting for independence in northern South America eventually Peru. Between 1817-1822, Bolivar had gained the support from llaneros in northern South America. With the help of the llaneros and Bolivar’s own patriot army, he successfully gained control over all of northern South America (Chasteen 105). During these same years, Jose de San Martin had been leading a patriot army in southwestern South America. After defeating Chilean royalists in the south, his army set out to defeat royalists in Peru. San Martin set forth towards Lima and was able to capture the city because the viceroy of Lima had retreated (Hudson). Although San Martin was able to free Lima from Spanish rule, he was not able to gain full independence for all of Peru. San Martin needed the help and resources of Bolivar to free Peru because he was unsuccessful in doing it himself. So, …show more content…
Patriot leaders and a sense of nativism were strong forces driving the expedition to freedom in both nations. Mexico’s road to independence was characterized by large rebellions against Peninsulars and an American identity solidified by Jose Maria Morelos. Peru’s slower approach and avoidance of revolts contrasted with Mexico. It wasn’t until the patriot leaders of South America Jose de San Martin’s and Simon Bolivar’s attempts to conquer Spanish rule did Peru gain independence. The achievement of independence for Mexico and Peru represented the end of Spanish rule in the