Spanish American independence
The wars and political crises (c. 1808-1826) through which Spain's American territories broke away from the Spanish Crown and became independent states.
Category: States
- August 3, 1814 – 1815Pumacahua and Cusco's creoles rise demanding the liberal reforms of 1812
On 3 August 1814 Mateo Pumacahua and creole leaders form a junta in Cusco, demanding the reforms of the 1812 Spanish Constitution. Royal forces retake the city and Pumacahua is executed in 1815.
- September 1820San Martín's Liberating Expedition lands on the coast of Peru
In September 1820 José de San Martín's Expedición Libertadora, sailing from Chile, lands at Pisco Bay and Paracas to free Peru from Spain. Sources give 7 or 8 September for the landing.
- 1821 – February 9, 1822Núñez de Cáceres declares the independent Republic of Spanish Haiti
In late 1821 (30 November or 1 December) José Núñez de Cáceres declares Spanish Santo Domingo independent from Spain, intending to join Gran Colombia. It has little support and falls to Haiti on 9 February 1822.
- July 28, 1821San Martín proclaims the independence of Peru in Lima
On 28 July 1821, days after his army occupies Lima, José de San Martín proclaims Peru independent of Spain. The royalists keep the highlands, and the war continues for three more years.
- July 26, 1822 – July 27, 1822San Martín and Bolívar meet in Guayaquil, and San Martín withdraws
In Guayaquil on 26-27 July 1822, sources giving one or both days, José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar disagree on how to govern the patriot cause. San Martín then leaves the war and Bolívar takes charge of Peru's liberation.
- August 6, 1824Bolívar's cavalry defeats the royalists at Junín
On 6 August 1824 Bolívar's patriot cavalry defeats José de Canterac's royalists on the plain of Junín in a short engagement fought with swords and lances. Sources disagree on troop numbers.
- December 9, 1824Sucre wins the Battle of Ayacucho and Spanish rule in Peru collapses
On 9 December 1824 Antonio José de Sucre defeats the royalist army at Ayacucho; Viceroy José de la Serna is wounded and captured, and Canterac signs the capitulation. The viceroyalty is dissolved on 30 December.
- January 23, 1826Callao, the last Spanish stronghold in Peru, surrenders
On 23 January 1826 the Real Felipe fortress at Callao capitulates, after a siege that began after Ayacucho. It is the last major Spanish stronghold in Peru, and Spain recognises Peruvian independence only in 1879.