"Race"ing to Indpendence

        In class this week, we learned about the Latin American revolutions We broke up in groups and each group studied a different revolution. There were  three revolutions, The revolution in Mexico, the revolution of Gran Colombia, and the revolution of Brazil. After creating a timeline of events for each revolution, we had a jigsaw conversation, where one person from each group comes together. After gathering all of our information, we answered the essential question. For this lesson the essential question was, Why is it essential to acknowledge human value regardless of race?
 How are the events in the Latin American Revolutions evidence of this social  imperative?
          My group created a timeline of the revolution of Gran Colombia. After reading and analyzing the evidence we narrowed the information down to a few important dates. (see timeline below) Next, we found similarities and differences between the revolutions. One commonality is that they all wanted to become independent of the ruler that wasn't there a race. Another commonality was that all of the revolutions ended in the same time period of 1823 to 1831. This could happen as a result of one country starting a revolution, other countries catching wind of it, liking the ideas, and starting their own revolutions in their own countries. One difference between the revolutions was The different people they fought against. The people from Brazil we're trying to gain independence from Portugal. The people from Gran Colombia, which is now known as Venezuela, we're trying to free themselves from Spanish rule. Lastly, the people of Mexico were fighting against Mexican Royalists, who are loyal to the Spanish. Another difference is that all of the revolutions were fought in a different place. One was in Brazil, one was in Mexico, and one was in Gran Columbia. In all of the revolutions, race was an issue because people were fearful of having a leader of a different race, that's why they revolted.
          Today, race is a huge issue. Just recently, the case and Ferguson Missouri, where in unarmed black man was killed by a white police officer raised huge protests and riots. The further conclusion did not send the officer to trial brought up A huge controversy in the US are people believe that Michael Brown was only shot because he was black. Even though we are far from Larry used to be with raise issues, there are many cases were race problems are still relevant. I believe that it is still very helpful to be aware and watch out for race problems in our world.

Time line

April 19,1810 - a junta expels the Spanish governor of the province of Venezuela and takes control

July 1811- National Assembly in Caracas formally declares Venezuelas independence

July 1812- Spanish authorities rally, recover military initiative, regain control of the entire province

1813- as head of army of liberation , he returns to Venezuela ans wins 6 successive engagements against Spanish forces

August 6, 1813- enters Caracas, takes political control with dictatorial powers.

July 1814- bolivar lost Caracas again, recaptures bogota from Spain

1817- back in venzuela building a new army in in inaccessible region of the Orinoco river

1819- use cowhide boats to cross tributaries of the Orinoco 

August 7, 1819- Spanish army surrenders 

Dec 17, 1819- republica de Colombia is proclaimed 

June  24, 1821- Bolívar wins a battle at carabobo 

May 24, 1822- Antonio josé de sucre wins victory at pitchina 

May 1830- Bolívar resigns as ruler 

September 1830- Ecuador and Venezula secede from gran Colombia