Spain's 300-Year Latin American Empire Collapsed Between 1808 and 1826

At its peak in the late 18th century, Spain controlled 13.7 million square kilometers of territory in the Americas. A strict caste system positioned Peninsulares at the top of the Church, military, and government, while Criollos were barred from the highest ranks. By the 1700s, educated Creole elites began to challenge the authority of the distant monarchy. The mercantilist policies mandated that colonies send raw materials to Spain and only import Spanish products, prohibiting trade with other countries. The Bourbon Reforms initiated by King Charles III in the 1780s further alienated colonial elites. Following Napoleon's invasion in 1807, juntas emerged in 1810. The call to arms by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810, ignited Mexico's fight for independence. Antonio José de Sucre triumphed over Viceroy José de la Serna at Ayacucho on December 9, 1824, leading to the fall of Spain's last strongholds by 1826.