I don’t know too much about Latin American history unfortunately, and even less about the various nations. I only know a little bit of knowledge regarding the Spanish Empire, but even little there—a pity, because the collapse of the Spanish Empire in the Americas is quite interesting IMO and even more so than the American War of Independence. One thing I’m interested in, though, is British involvement in the wars, and the debt crisis of 1825.
I’m not talking about the British Legions either. I’m not talking about military might. We all know (somehow) that the order forged at the Congress of Vienna embodied in the Holy League (France, Spain, Prussia, Austria, Russia and nominally England ) considered these rebellions no different than the radicalism about Europe that were periodically quashed (see: Troppau and the intervention in Naples, ect) and the Holy League wanted to simply expand their quashing of revolutionary sentiment into the Americas. Although how they hoped to do it I’ll never know, given the eastern powers divergent interests from those in the west, Britain’s opposition, and the Monroe doctrine. Perhaps the Bourbons in Spain and France could work together, but neither regime in is in a position for long term adventures and even together, lack the naval clout needed to supply a significant force in the Americas, and France’s sapped manpower isn’t going to do Spain any good. The Marie Louises of 1814 couldn’t save Napoleon and they certainly can’t save Ferdinand VII in Caracas, Buenos Aires, and Lima… but I digress, although it would make a really cool (if depressing) mini-TL, with the Spanish Royalists in the Americas bolstered by a French expeditionary force with an even worse outcome, both in Europe and in the Americas.
What I’m more interested in the terrible economic situation of these revolutionaries. I suppose all revolutions start off on awful footing, what with America and their massive debts, and the Soviets repudiating those of the Tsarist regime, but Latin America is really a unique case, and the bubble which popped in 1825 had terrible long term consequences. As early as 1816, Latin American revolutionary leaders were flocking to London, made financial hub of the world after the Napoleonic Wars. The men of Gran Columbia and Chile, especially managed to receive large loans of some £2,000,000 by overstating the resources of these countries to repay and often pledging mines and other resources as collateral, IIRC. These governments were not recognized by Britain at this point, but were able to receive generous loans. I believe even the Gran Columbian envoy attempted to dress up his country by racking up his own debts by dressing opulently, renting a fine home, and entertaining prominent figures.
I’m desperately seeking more info on the period and its effects on both Latin America and Britain. Britain suffered her own depression after 1815, but trade wise, the 1820s were a boom for as these countries gained independence, Britain gained a favorable trade position as these newly independent countries, once connected to global trade routes through Spain, found their positions severed. Several companies were formed in both Latin America and Britain for economic exploitation, and there was a ‘mine craze’ of sorts that ended with a collapse in 1825. Many of these companies, regardless of nationality sank, and this stretched from Mexico to Argentina. It wasn’t even limited to the former Spanish colonies, as Brazil experienced her own mine craze and had a close relationship with Britain inherited from Portugal. The collapse of the mining bubble led to Latin America experiencing a credit crunch and terrible impacts on both their economies as well as their political systems. I’m sure I’ve simplified the matter, but I would love to hear more, especially of any other important economic and political events within Latin America (any country at all!) during the early years of independence.