Paths Toward Independence

Paths Toward Independence

• By the 1780's , Europe had colonized nearly all of Central America and the Caribbean.

Haiti Leads The Way

• Haiti (then Saint-Domingue) had become the leading producer of sugarcane in the Caribbean.

• Slaves far outnumbered white planters.

• August 1791, the conflict spread to Haiti. As European planters, free people of color, and the English and French armies fought, Haitian slaves began a rebellion

Haiti Leads The Way Continued...

• 1794: The French government abolished slavery, but it kept control of the island.

• 1803: L'Overture's army struggled until he died in prison. Soon after his death, his army won victory over the French military.

• Haiti declared itself independent.

Calls For Freedom Spread

• 1821: Mexico seized control of much of present-day Mexico.

• 1823: Central America becomes the United Provinces of Central America.

• 1824-1844: Guatemala, Hoduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic all declared independence.

Caribbean Independence

• 1902: Cuba declared independence.

• 1903: Panama declared independence.

• 1960's: Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados all declared independence.

• 1970's-1980's: Grenada, Dominica, Bahamas, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, & the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, St. Kitts & Nevis.