Although the Mapuche has always resisted the powerful troops of Spain, Chile did not strive for their independence until the invasion of Napoleon in Spain. The French Revolution preoccupied the Spanish royalty when Napoleon elected his brother to become the new King of Spain. The French Revolution promoted self-government and an act issued by Napoleon allowed Chile to rule their own colony. Chile’s first move to independence began with a meeting among the privileged representatives to change the administration and to elect a president-government from the local leaders.[i] When the 13 Anglo-American colonies and Haiti won their independence, Spanish rule in America proved to be unstable. Throughout Chile, people held town meetings to promote education, loosen the trade laws, create a newspaper, and many steps were taken to abolish slavery. However, Spain tried to reassert their power of their American colonies and managed to “reestablish their military supremacy.”[ii] A patriot leader, Bernardo O’Higgins escaped to Argentina after Spain reestablished their rule. In Argentina, O’Higgins won the help of Jose de San Martin, a supporter of the revolutionary government in Argentina.[iii] Together, O’Higgins and San Martin raised an army to liberate Chileans under Spanish rule. Meanwhile, the Chileans suffered under the intense Spanish reconquest, but strengthened their desire for absolute independence.[iv] In 1817, San Martin and O’Higgins led their armies ready to fight against the Spanish intruders. The declaration of Chile’s independence was not proclaimed until a year later with the Battle of Maipu on April 5, 1818.[v] O’Higgins began to immediately create a navy, which “cleared the Chilean coast of Spanish vessels” in the late 1818.[vi] Chile finally attained its freedom, but they were weak and poor. However, English, Italian, and French merchants established themselves in the growing cities of Chile.[vii] After about 10 years of war and guerilla campaigns, Chile finally found its independence in September,1818.[viii]
[i] Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Chile," accessed March 01, 2012, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/111326/Chile.
[ii] Ibid
[iii] Ibid
[iv] Country Studies. Wars of Independence, 1819-18. http://countrystudies.us/chile/8.htm
[v] Ibid
[vi] Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Chile," accessed March 01, 2012, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/111326/Chile.
[vii] Ibid
[viii] Country Studies. Wars of Independence, 1819-18. http://countrystudies.us/chile/8.htm
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