Post-Columbian and Colonial Ecuador - Independence!

Post-Colombian and Colonial Ecuador

The Road to Independence

William Burton

Ecuador

Context

Uprising in Quito (Cont)

Gran Columbia

Battle of Pichincha

Guayaquil

• Spanish conquistadors led by Pizarro invade and conquer present-day Ecuador in 1532.
• After 300 years of colonization and mistreatment by the Spanish, the Ecuadorians begin an uprising
• Two classes of people in Ecuador:
• Peninsulares - the Spanish ruling class
• Criollos - indigenous or mixed Ecuadorian-Spanish citizens
• Napoleon and the French invade Spain in 1808
• Provides spark for uprising in Spanish colonies.

Francisco Pizarro

• Mount Pichincha located adjacent city of Quito.
• Battle took place on May 24, 1822
• Fought ~11,500 ft above sea level.
• Mt. Hood peak ~11,250 ft
• Defeated loyalist forces, entered city a hero and legend.
• Simón Bolívar went on to liberate most of northern South America.
• Ecuador's first currency was named the Sucre.
• Ecuador emancipated from Spain on May 24, 1822.

• In the time between Quito's uprising and 1820, tide had turned in favor of indigenous Ecuadorians.
• Junta led by Olmedo declares city Guayaquil independent.
• City was taken fairly quickly and peacefully.
• Growing movement of emancipation spread all over Spanish colonies.
• Organized into two main territories/armies:
• To the north was Gran Colombia, with an army led by Simón Bolívar.
• To the south was Peru, with an army led by José de San Martín.

• Returning Peninsulares were not happy.
• Killed innocents while searching for members of rebel junta.
• Mistreated rebels and citizens further.
• Street fighting ensued.
• Criollos earned right to form a governing junta, though it was headed by president of the Peninsulares.
• December, 1811 - junta calls for congress, writes up constitution declaring independence.
• One caveat: Spanish king's authority is to be recognized should he return to the throne.

Post Colonial Ecuador

• After gaining independence from Spain, Ecuador becomes part of Republic of Gran Columbia.
• The following eight years placed Ecuador in the middle of further warfare:
• First as a front line for Gran Columbia to liberate Peru
• Then in a border dispute between Columbia and Peru.
• In May of 1830, Ecuador secedes from Gran Columbia, becoming the Republic of Ecuador.
• Sets General Juan José Flores as president for fifteen years. Considered founder of republic.
• Years to follow saw many growing pains, including the controversial deaths of Sucre and Bolívar. But Ecuador was at last free.

Uprising in Quito

Spread of Independence

• Criollos in Quito formed "juntas" like those formed in Spain.
• Junta - a small, local administration loyal to Spanish king.
• Junta seized power in Quito on August 10, 1809.
• Ironically, the first colonial uprising done in the name of the Spanish king.
• Criollo forces lacked strength and public support, peacefully surrender 24 days later.

Uprising in Quito (Cont)

• With news of Guayaquil's independence, two more cities follow suit:
• Portoviejo - eight days after Guayaquil
• Cuenca - November, 1820
• Guayaquil's patriots request reinforcements from allies
• Bolívar sends force led by Antonio José de Sucre.
• Sucre seems unstoppable, winning many battles until defeated at Ambato
• Sucre recieves 1400 fresh troops from San Martín and continues to liberate Ecuador.

• Quito's junta launches military offensive on loyalist forces to the south.
• Once again, junta's military is poorly armed and poorly trained.
• Quickly and decisively crushed in 1812.
• The end of Quiteño revolution.
• Period of relative peace follows until 1820.

Antonio José de Sucre

Sources:

• "Ecuador History." History of Ecuador. BBC, 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2013.

• "Ecuador: The Struggle for Independence." American Memory from the Library of Congress. N.p., 1989. Web. 10 Feb. 2013.