WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPANISH EMPIRE DURING THE 19TH CENTURY?

At the start of the 19th century, Spain controlled most of Central and South America, as well as the Philippines in Asia. But by the end of the century, Spain had lost its last colonies.

Between 1810 and 1825 most of Spain’s colonies became independent, for two reasons:

• The colonists were influenced by the French Revolution. They wanted more rights and freedom from Spanish control.

• Spain was busy fighting against the French people, so its control over the colonies was weaker. The colonies won their independence.

Haiti became independent in 1804. Argentina and Colombia in 1810. Paraguay and Venezuela in 1811. Chile in 1818. Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Peru in 1821. Ecuador in 1822. Bolivia in 1825. Uruguay in 1828. Dominican Republic in 1844. And, finally, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippines in 1902.

Spanish Empire at its greatest extent (1790). By Nagihuin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Spain in 1898. By Xaverius (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons