The independence movements of Spanish America in the early nineteenth century constitute one of the main junctures in Latin American history. Not only did they put an end to Spanish colonialism in mainland America, they created the modern countries stretching from Mexico in the north to Chile and Argentina in the south. Spanish American Independence Movements sheds light on the complicated period from 1780-81, when Peru was rocked by Tupac Amaru's revolt, through 1826, when independence fighters defeated the last Spanish forces in mainland America. Author Wim Klooster offers a rich and wide-ranging introduction to the period and provides primary documents-most appearing in English for the first time-that reveal not just the arguments and struggles of the rebels but also of those who remained loyal to Spain.