Social Intersites review “Independence of Chile”

Year 2023

Name: _______________________________________________Date:__________________________

Learning objective:
a) Contrast information from different sources to explain the multiple causes of the Independence process and its
development.
b) Analyze elements of continuity and change between the Chile in the 1800’s and today.

What does it mean to be independent?

At the beginning of the 19th century, in the year 1800, Chile was part of the Spanish empire, and obey laws
and authorities. However, in the first decade (1810) the American process toward no longer being colonies,
and in time became countries with their own government and laws. This process is called independence.

I. Causes of Chilean independence

For Chile to achieve its independence, many internal and external causes influenced this to happen.

EXTERNAL CAUSES
1. Enlightenment People criticized the monarchies because power was concentrated in the king, thus causing
injustice. They also raised the concept of freedom and equality.

2. USA Independence Process by which 13 British colonies in North America separated from the British Crown,
(1776) allowed enlightenment ideas to become reality.

French people put an end to the Monarchy (king) by killing him. The French Revolution
eventually lead to the rise of Napoleon as the France’ emperor (1799). Spain was so occupied
3. French Revolution during the Napoleonic wars that it could not divert enough military resources to could not
(1789) create rebellions in its colonies.

In 1808 Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and took King Ferdinand VII captive, putting Joseph
Bonaparte in his place. On the one hand, there were the royalists, who recognized the
sovereignty of the Spanish institutions in place of the king and do not accepting an
4. Spanish Crisis independent government, Continuing under King’s command.
On the other hand, there were the patriots, who, while remaining loyal to the monarch, they
want to be independent from the Spanish Crown.

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 INTERNAL CAUSES
Creoles had wealth, but could not gain access to important political positions, only Spaniards were
1. Social crisis (Creole discontent) allowed.

Criticism of the lack of commercial freedom and rise of taxes, which forced the country into
2. Economic crisis (Bourbon reforms) poverty, prohibiting it from interacting with others in the world.

Expulsion of the Jesuits: The Creoles wanted to have access to a good education, so they did not
3. Cultural crisis (Education) approve the expulsion of the Jesuits that were the ones that were in charge of teaching people in
the country.
News of the imprisonment of the king Fernando VII by Napoleon arrived to America, but it soon
4. Spanish crisis (in Chile) became similar to Spain in that government juntas were also established. This was the beginning of
the independence process.

II. Independence of Chile

Keep in mind that…. The Spanish

king was imprisoned by Napoleon.
Spanish people rebelled and set up
the “governing juntas” in America
to keep control over the Colonies.
This generated diverse reactions in
the American Continent

DIVISION AMONG COLONIES: ROYALISTS V/S PATRIOTS

ROYALISTS PATRIOTS
People that supported the Crown and wanted to be under its People that felt that they had the right to stablished a transitional
government. political system due to the absence of a king. They proposed the
formation of ”juntas”

Why? Why?
Some had emotional connection with the Crown and others were based They felt that Spain prevented American countries from being
on economic interest- their wealth depended on the colonial regimen. prosperous (success or economic well-being).
Spanish – clergy (sacerdotes) – some creoles Creoles and some Spaniards

Realist’s reaction: “Loyalty to the king”:

As soon as the King returned to the throne, he send Some people felt they had to be loyal to the king, even
tropos to America to restore the power and control. though he was imprisoned, while others felt they have
Also, forces loyal to the king confront patriots. to move on.
DIFFICULTIES
Social tension: Patriotas’ division:
Who should lead the process? Aristocrats (upper class) Different opinions on how should they organize and
or common people? carry out the process and territories.

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 PATRIA VIEJA
This period represents the first stage of the struggle for national independence, which was developed thanks to the
action of the aristocracy, which, due to its economic and cultural power, exerted an important influence on people.
First Junta de gobierno (September
18th, 1810):
- It was the first “try” to
become independence.
- They wanted to confirm their
loyalty to king Fernando VII.
- Even though they promised to
stay loyal to Fernando VII,
unconsciously it was the first
time the creole aristocracy had
protagonism to make decisions.
- First military corps
- Free market regulations (taxes)
Formation of the National Congress
(1811):
- Abolishment of slavery (liberty
of womb)
- Replacement Real Audiencia for
the Tribunal Supremo de
Justicia
- Two main tendencies
(moderates and extremists)
TIMELINE
(1810-1814)
What happened in this period?
José Miguel Carrera´s government (1812-
1813):
- In his government they created the
first Chilean newspaper called
Aurora de Chile, to spread liberal
ideas.
- A Chilean flag and shield replace the
symbols of the king as a way to
create national identity and
patriotism.
- Provisional Constitutional Regulations
(1812) which it was linked to the
traditional Laws of the Spanish
Monarchy but, at the same time, it
incorporated principles of
democratic liberalism such as
national sovereignty and the
separation of powers (branches).
- The Biblioteca Nacional and the
Instituto Nacional de Chile (school)
were founded to improve the
educational and cultural situation in
the country.
Reaction of Spain (Battle of Rancagua)
During the colonial period (16th century),
Chile depended on the viceroyalty of Peru
for its administration, and the loyalty of
Chile to the king was therefore
responsibility of the Viceroy of Perú.
The Viceroy, sent some military expeditions
to Chile to see what was going on. While in
Chile, the patriot troops were under the
command of Jose Miguel Carrera could not
stop their advance.
For this reason, the National Congress
decided to give the power of the army to
Bernardo O’Higgins, which generates
rivalries between Chilean forces.
On October, it occurred the Battle of
Rancagua. The patriot troops could not
contain a powerful army of five thousand
men, which destroyed the patriot
resistance, temporarily cancelled the
independence of Chile and meant the end
of the Patria Vieja, beginning the Spanish
reconquest.
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 R EC O N Q U I S T A (1814-1817)
Spaniards take back control of Chile

What happened? Liberating army of the Andes:

- Patriot army that was forced to leave arrived at
Mendoza and they were welcomed by Jose de San - While the patriots were suffering
Martin, governor of the province. persecution, in Mendoza, O’Higgins
- Triumph of the royalists in Chile led to restoration of and José de San Martín were
the colonial order and the suppression of all measure organizing an army that could
implemented by the patriots. liberate Chile and the Perú, to
- Spanish authorities drove out any pro-independence ensure the independence of both
activists left in the country (imprisoned, expelled to countries.
Juan Fernandez, executed…) - In 1817, the Liberation Army of the
- These abuse generated anger amongst the Creole, Andes, composed by 5.000
which contributed to increase the popular support Argentinean and Chilean soldiers
for the cause of independence. under the command of San Martín,
crossed the Cordillera de los Andes.

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 P A T R I A N U E V A (1817-1823)
Arriving to the Chilean territory, patriots and royalists confronted each other at the Battle of Chacabuco.
Battle of Chacabuco (1817) Declaration of Independece
- Ended with the victory of (February 12nd, 1818)
the Liberating Army of - One year after the
the Andes. triumph of
- The patriot forces made Chacabuco, the
a triumphant entrance Chilean Declaration
into Santiago, and of Independence
O’Higgins was named was signed.
Supreme Director of - It’s the document by
Chile (“president”) which Chile declares
its independence
from the Spanish
monarchy.
Battle of Maipú (April Bernardo O’Higgins Government
5th, 1818) (1817-1823)
After the signing of the - O’Higgins was dedicated to
Declaration of the reorganize de country, which
independence, the last was suffering a critical
royalists tried to take economic situation.
control of Chile again in - He created two constitutions
April, but they lost. (1818 and 1822)
- He created a wholesale food
market in the “Paseo la
Alameda”.
- Also he reopened the
Biblioteca Nacional and the
Instituto Nacional.
- He founded the Escuela Militar
and created the new national
flag.
O’Higgins abdication
During his government, he abolished the
nobility’s titles and other symbols of
prestige.
They also questioned his economical
support during the liberating of Perú
while in Chile was in economic crisis.
Also he was accused of being
authoritarian (he was linked to the
murder of Jose Miguel Carrera and his
brother).
With all of these critiques, he decided to
abdicate his power and leave Chile.
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 CONSEQUENCES OF INDEPENDENCE
What changed?
- New countries and states were created in the
territories that used to be Spanish Colonies.
- These countries created their own laws and
elected their own authorities
- Economically, the independence allowed these
states to trade with other countries with no
restrictions.
- Socially, the nobility’s title was eliminated and
slavery was abolished.
- Culturally, Americans focused on improving
education, and creating universities and schools.
What did not change?
- The economy continued to base on the export
of agricultural and mining products.
- Society’s still catholic.
- The aristocracy was still powerful (economically,
politically, and socially)
- Women continued to play a secondary role to
men in a political and cultural life.