Peru Independence

After the Spaniards arrived Peru; all they had focused on was the riches found in Peru. Thus, to protect themselves and their riches a war assembled on the Christians by Atahualpa troops failed, Atahualpa was captured and later executed; the Spaniards had successfully obtained the riches from Peru thus Peru had been colonized in 1533.

Peru had achieved independence from Spain through the influence of held beliefs and concepts from foreign regions, as well as minor political events, and lastly with the guidance of revolutionary leaders, Jose de San Martin and Simon Bolivar. In 1780, Peruvians came to hold a strong belief in the concept of liberalism as the enlightenment made its way around the world. Additionally, a decade later Peruvian intellectuals and politicians were influenced by what was going on in other parts of the world. In particular, The French Revolution and successful war in the North American colonies put ideas such as “the rights of being able to self govern, merits of nationalism and the desire to do things differently” within the minds of oppressed Peruvians. Despite these beliefs and concepts, political events in Europe also played an essential role in provoking Peru towards independence. In 1808, King Ferdinand VII was discrowned due to Napoleonic invasion in Spain. Thus, Spain temporarily had no control over the colonies in the New World. Two years later, Morales Duares was announced president. With this a new liberal constitution was also created, which affected both Spain and the colonies. In regards to this revised document, discussion, unrest and open rebellions took place in 1812. Although there were changes like these occurring in Europe that affected the Peruvians, liberators such as General Jose de Sa...

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... who had retreated farther into … Ayacucho and returning himself to the coast to retake Lima.” During the first few days of December Bolivar achieved his goal to regain control of Lima. On December 9, he captured the entire royalist army ending the Spanish control over Peru. Evidently, Peru could not have achieved independence from Spain if it was not for their beliefs and concepts but more significantly for its leaders.

Works Cited

Hunefeldt, Christine. A Brief History of Peru. New York City: Checkmark Books An imprint on Facts On File Inc and Lexington Associates, 2004.

Klaren, Peter Flindell, Peru society and nationhood in the Andes. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000

Markham Clements R., tr, and ed. Letter from Hernando Pizarro to the Royal Audience of Santo Domingo, in Reports on the discovery of Peru. London: Hakluyt Society, 1872. pp. 113-127