This is a timeline of events related to the Spanish American wars of independence. Numerous wars against Spanish rule in Spanish America took place during the early 19th century, from 1808 until 1829, directly related to the Napoleonic French invasion of Spain. The conflict started with short-lived governing juntas established in Chuquisaca and Quito opposing the composition of the Supreme Central Junta of Seville. When the Central Junta fell to the French, numerous new Juntas appeared all across the Americas, eventually resulting in a chain of newly independent countries stretching from Argentina and Chile in the south, to Mexico in the north. After the death of the king Ferdinand VII, in 1833, only Cuba and Puerto Rico remained under Spanish rule, until the Spanish–American War in 1898.
These conflicts can be characterized both as civil wars and wars of national liberation, since the majority of the combatants were Spanish Americans on both sides, and the goal of the conflict for one side was the independence of the Spanish colonies in the Americas. In addition, the wars were related to the more general Latin American wars of independence, which include the conflicts in Haiti and Brazil (Brazil's independence shared a common starting point with Spanish America's, since both were triggered by Napoleon's invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, when the Portuguese royal family resettled in Brazil).
The war in Europe, and the resulting absolutist restoration ultimately convinced the Spanish Americans of the need to establish independence from the mother country, so various revolutions broke out in Spanish America. Moreover, the process of Latin American independence took place in the general political and intellectual climate that emerged from the Age of Enlightenment and that influenced all of the so-called Atlantic Revolutions, including the earlier revolutions in the United States and France. Nevertheless, the wars in, and the independence of, Spanish America were the result of unique developments within the Spanish Monarchy.
Early 1700s
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Granada Events in the New Kingdom of Granada The Viceroyalty of New Granada is established out of territories from the Viceroyalty of Perú. This is done in order to encourage further economic development of the territories of New Granada, Quito and Venezuela. This is done as part of the Bourbon Reforms enacted by the Spanish Monarchy. Its first acting viceroy, Antonio Ignacio de la Pedrosa y Guerrero, takes office on June 13, 1718.
1760s
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Granada Events in the Kingdom of Quito The Quito Revolt of 1765, or Rebellion of the Barrios (Rebellion of the Neighbourhoods), takes place. A series of revolts begin in the city of Quito, part of the Real Audiencia of Quito, within the Viceroyalty of New Granada, after new taxes on alcoholic beverages are imposed by the Spanish Crown. (May 22, 1765) A coalition of upper-class Criollo and middle and lower-class Mestizo inhabitants of the barrios (neighbourhoods) of Quito overthrow the Spanish viceregal authorities in the context of the Quito Revolt of 1765. They establish and independent government for the Province of Quito and even propose proclaiming the Count of Selva Florida, Manuel Guerrero Ponce de León, as king of Quito, but he refuses. (June 27, 1765) After a series of political differences among the members of the independent government of Quito, established during the Quito Revolt of 1765, viceregal troops arrive from the city of Guayaquil and re-establish the viceregal authorities of the Real Audiencia of Quito. The short-lived autonomy of Quito ends, but the viceroy of New Granada, Pedro Messía de la Cerda, accepts the demands to abolish the new taxes on alcoholic beverages. (September 1, 1766)
1770s
Events in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata Events in the Kingdom of Buenos Aires The Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata is established out of territories from the Viceroyalty of Perú. This is done in order to encourage further economic development of the territories of Buenos Aires, Paraguay, Banda Oriental and Upper Peru. This is done as part of the Bourbon Reforms enacted by the Spanish Monarchy. Its first viceroy, Pedro de Cevallos, takes office on October 15, 1777.
1780s
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Granada Events in the New Kingdom of Granada The Revolt of the Comuneros begins in the city of Socorro. In order to finance wars elsewhere in the New World, such as the American Revolutionary War, and the defense of key colonial ports from British attacks, the Spanish Crown imposes new taxes and restrictions on the production of tobacco and aguardiente. On March 16, 1781, Manuela Beltrán tears down the royal edict announcing the new taxes issued by the King. This causes various Criollo and Mestizo colonists to initiate a series of revolts against the viceregal authorities, known as the Revolt of the Comuneros. They march under the slogan "Long live the King, down with bad governance!". (March 16, 1781)
Events in British West Florida Siege of Pensacola, part of the Gulf Coast Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. Spanish colonial and metropolitan forces, with the help of French troops, fight against the British and their German allies from the County of Waldeck, to capture the city of Pensacola. Bernardo de Gálvez, governor of Louisiana, commands the Spanish troops that defeat the British and capture West Florida. Francisco de Miranda, founding father of Venezuela, was part of the Spanish colonial troops that fought in the battle. Moreover, the Spanish Crown would impose more taxes upon its American territories in order to finance the Siege of Pensacola and other campaigns and wars, as part of the Bourbon Reforms. (March 9 – May 8, 1781)
1790s
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Granada Events in the Kingdom of Venezuela The Conspiracy of Gual and España takes places in Venezuela. A conspiracy, led by Manuel Gual and José María España, begins in La Guaira with the objective of declaring independence for Venezuela from Spain. The conspirators are captured by the Spanish authorities and Manuel Gual is executed in Caracas, while José María España is exiled to Trinidad. Manuel Cortés Campomanes also participates in the conspiracy. (July 13, 1797 – May 8, 1799)
1806
Events in the United States of America Francisco de Miranda visits Washington, D.C. and holds a private meeting with President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison, in order to encourage the United States to support an invasion of Venezuela to make it independent of the Spanish Empire. The Neutrality Act of 1794 prevents the United States to support Miranda on that occasion. However, he gathers various volunteers, among them David G. Burnet, future president of the Republic of Texas, to conduct a military operation to liberate Venezuela. He sets sail on a ship called Leander on February 2, 1806.
1808
Events in the Kingdom of Spain The Mutiny of Aranjuez takes place in this city. King Charles IV of Spain is forced to abdicate in favour of the Prince of Asturias, his son. Ferdinand VII becomes king of Spain. (March 17–19) Antonio Pascual de Borbón becomes regent of Spain as the President of the Supreme Government Junta of Spain, due to the absence of king Ferdinand VII. His regency would last until May 4, 1808. (April 10, 1808) Joachim Murat becomes regent of Spain, after being appointed to that position by Napoleon, whose armies had conquered large areas of Spain. (May 4, 1808) The Abdications of Bayonne take place. Napoleon forces the former king Charles IV and king Ferdinand VII to abdicate in favour of him. In theory, Napoleon became the new king of Spain. (May 7, 1808) Napoleon names his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as king of Spain. The Kingdom of Spain becomes a satellite state of the French Empire under Napoleon. (June 6)
Events in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata Events in the Kingdom of Buenos Aires The is established after the news of Napoleon's invasion of Spain reach the Banda Oriental. The Junta is peacefully disbanded by Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros, the new viceroy of the Río de la Plata. (September 21)
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Spain Events in the Spanish Caribbean Islands Gabriel de Yermo, a wealthy landowner in New Spain, conducts a popular coup against José de Iturrigaray, viceroy of New Spain. The Real Audiencia appoints Pedro de Garibay as the new viceroy of New Spain. (September 15) Some criollo colonists in Havana, among them Francisco de Arango y Parreño, suggest the creation of an autonomous government junta in Cuba. Their proposal is rejected and no change of government happens in Cuba. (September 26 and 27)
1809
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Granada Events in the Kingdom of Quito Independence Day of Ecuador (Quito Revolution (1809-1812): On August 10, 1809, an autonomist Governing Junta for the Kingdom of Quito is declared in the city of Quito. (August 10, 1809)
Events in the Kingdom of Spain
British forces led by Sir Arthur Wellesley join the Peninsular War, supporting the Spanish resistance.
1810
Events in the Viceroyalty of New Granada
Events in the New Kingdom of Granada May, 1810 The cabildo (City Council) of Cartagena de Indias, which was the capital of the colonial Province of Cartagena, creates an autonomous government junta to rule the province and its territorial jurisdiction in the name of Ferdinand VII, who was captured by Napoleon. The colonial governor of the province, Francisco de Montes, participates and authorizes the creation of this autonomist junta. This junta of Cartagena is initially created in a temporal capacity, due to the grave state of war that Spain faced back in Europe. Delegates of the cities and towns of Mompox, Simití, San Benito Abad and Tolú are invited to join the junta. (May 22, 1810) June, 1810 The Junta of Cartagena approves a motion to remove Francisco Montes, originally the colonial governor of the Province of Cartagena, from his office as governor. He was accused of not obeying the decisions of the junta and of still acting as the sole governor of the province, without the approval of the newly established autonomist government junta. Antonio Villavicencio, the royal representative (comisionado regio) sent by the Regency Council of Spain and the Indies was forced to accept the removal of the colonial governor, in order to avoid the outbreak of a revolt in Cartagena. (June 14, 1810) The Junta of Cartagena approves a motion to create two new militia regiments, one for whites and one for mixed-race individuals, to defend the newly established autonomist government of the Province of Cartagena. (June 19, 1810) July, 1810 The Regency Council of Spain and the Indies begins a trial of residence (juicio de residencia) towards Antonio José Amar y Borbón, viceroy of New Granada, a normal procedure made towards the end of the term of a viceroy in the Spanish Empire, meaning that his position as viceroy was about to be terminated. (July 4, 1810) The cabildo (City Council) of Pamplona, which was the capital of the colonial Province of Pamplona, creates an autonomous government junta to rule the province and its territorial jurisdiction in the name of Ferdinand VII, who was captured by Napoleon. The colonial governor of the Province of Pamplona, Juan Bastús, was sent to prison. (July 4, 1810) A popular riot in the city of Socorro forces the colonial governor of the Province of Socorro, José Valdés Posada, to step down from his office as governor. (July 10, 1810)