The Revolutions of 1806
The unrest in Spanish America reached its zenith in May of 1806, as several independence movements rose up across the colonies. These ranged from revolutions in General Captaincy of Guatemala to the General Captaincy of Venezula and the Viceroyalty of New Grenada to the Viceroyalty of La Plata.
The Open Cabildo of Buenos Aires
The first of the revolutions began in Buenos Aires on May 22nd, after the hanging of Bartolomé de las Cajas, a prominent local grain merchant, following accusations of smuggling and violations of the trade acts that governed the Spanish colonies. The prominent citizens of Buenos Aires called for an Open Cabildo, where in response with the citizenry quickly stripped Spanish Representatives of office and created their own government. Though some of those stripped of office were later offered a position in the government in return for supporting the revolution. The citizenry was led by Manuel Belgrano, Mariano Moreno, and Cornelio Saavedra, who quickly offered the local garrison amnesty if they joined the revolutionaries, which many did.
Once local control was established, the Cabildo announced a list of grievances against the Spanish crown. In particular they resented the mercantilist policies of Spain that restrict trade to their Pacific ports, placing a terrible burden on several regions. Furthermore, they cite the increased contempt of Spanish officials and continued mismanagement in the colonies. Finally, and perhaps most damaging were the damning acquisitions of a collapse of order in Spain proper following government mismanagement and ineptitude.
The revolutionaries also presented list of demands and desires, the most important of which, one voiced by the vast majority of the revolutionaries, was for complete independence from the Crown of Spain and the institution of a republic. A republic modeled on that of the United States of America and Revolutionary France. They also sought the ability to trade freely with whomever they choose.
As news of the rebellion spread about the Viceroyalty of La Plata, the citizens in other cities quickly imitated the actions of the Open Cabildo of Buenos Aires and disposed Spanish government and replaced it with their own. However, in the Intendencia of Asuncion (Paraguay), the citizens remained loyal to the Spanish Crown, at least for the moment.
In general, the revolutions began with the criollos taking control the cabildos, the municipal governments, across the region forcing the peninsulares out of the government offices. Though, they did offer positions to those peninsulares who join the rebellion. Within the areas of rebellions the cabildos fall quickly and often without a fight, though Bogatá, Panama, Colon, and the Intendencia of Asuncion (Paraguay) remain loyal to the Spanish Crown.
Furthermore, many Spanish colonial soldiers offered the rebels their services, and fight for the freedom of their new countries, those who don't were jailed, their weapons confiscated and used to arms the revolutionaries.
Similar revolutions took place in Central America the rebels rally around Manuel José Arce, who is able to quickly gain control of the local cabildo in Guatemala City and from there the revolution expands through out the General Captaincy of Guatemala. The revolution begins similarly in Upper Peru (Bolivia), where it is led by Bernardo de Monteagudo, who quickly captured the capital city. While the revolution is slower in General Captaincy of Venezula and the Viceroyalty of New Grenada, where Bogatá remains in the hands of loyalists. [General Captaincy of Guatemala, General Captaincy of Venezuela, Viceroyalty of New Grenada, Viceroyalty of La Plata in revolution, -35,000 regulars to Spain, -20 colonial income (North America) for Spain, -75 colonial income (South America) for Spain, +2 stab for Spain]
A map of rebel controlled areas in the Spanish Americas
