The seeds of rebellion and eventual independence in Latin America were sewn by Spanish hypocrisy from the beginning of their occupation of the Americas. Race, and therefore racial hierarchy and racism, are a prevalent theme from the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Early ideas of a racial hierarchy brought to America by the Spanish would prove detrimental to colonial practices and ultimately led to many rebellions and independence movements throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries. For the rebellions to succeed, the idea of a singular Americano identity had to be nurtured. Still, racial equality was short-lived as the Creoles who led the revolutions settled into the comfort of the racial class structure that had served them so well before independence.
Colonial racial contradictions began; conquistadors impregnated and sometimes married indigenous people. This created a mestizo race that began a process of convoluting races in the Americas that would lead to a caste system based upon pedigree but what really amounted to one of racial hierarchy. The Conquistadors’ preconceived notion of racial superiority was evident immediately upon contact. Yet, without women, the male Spanish would take indigenous wives and concubines, often without their consent. Furthermore, as the Spanish brough enslaved people Africans to replace enslaved indigenous peoples, the Spanish, mestizos, Indians, and Creolesfurther complicated their carefully constructed race-based caste system.
As time passed, a racial caste system developed. This system eventually included up to 36 different castes based on skin pigment, moving from white on one end to African black on the other. Of course, the Spanish were not content to let race relations play out independently. As the Spanish crown broke in the late 18th Century, they turned to a system that allowed people to buy their way up the system. One of the Spanish’s largest contradictions, gracias al sacar, was the ability to purchase legal whiteness and all the privileges that come along with it. This naturally upset the social and racial hierarchy in which white people born in Spain (penninsulars) or the Americas (creoles) felt underappreciated. Couple this with the existing racial tensions and oppression, and the situation in Spanish America was ripe for a rebellion.
As revolutionaries began attempting to overthrow their Spanish overlords, it was clear that these early rebellions sought to replace Spanish rule with a new Creole monarchy. These Creole leaders left out a large and vital portion of the American people and subsequently failed. It wasn’t until revolutionaries began to forge a true Americano identity that the revolutions took hold and resulted in independence. Simon Bolivar is a prime example, having failed multiple times to win independence for the area then known as New Granada. It wasn’t until he elicited the Llaneros’ support that he could win meaningful, lasting victories.
Furthermore, Mexican independence also rested on Hidalgo, Morales, and Guerrero continuing to build an Americano identity. San Martin also built an Army of not just Creoles but also Americanos that would free Argentina, Chile, and eventually Peru with the assistance of Bolivar. To achieve independence, Creole revolutionaries needed the support of every Americano in their respective viceroyalties. As such, they had to appear to forgo any idea of racial hierarchy to do so.
Unfortunately, the promise of racial equality would be short-lived. Once independence was established, Creole elite assumed positions of power. The idea of one Americano identity slowly dissipated as the common enemy, Spain, disappeared. Racial equality and inclusivity would not emerge in Latin America for another hundred years.
