1665-1700: Spain slips into second rank power. Charles II is a weak imbecile. French Bourbon

dynasty would come to rule Spain.

1750-1777 Marquis of Pombal a Portugese statesman implemented trade with Brazil. 1788-1789 In Minas Gerais a group of rebels plot

against the Crown to declare itself an independent rebublic.

1790 the Bourbon reforms had failed. Churches, Jesuits, Bishops and Indians realized the Reformers had destroyed the legitimacy of Royal authority.

1793 Negro uprisings in Haiti against the French planters.

1808 May 2, The people of Madrid rose in rebellion against the French troops.

1810- Sept. 16, Miguel Hidalgo, a priest, leads the fight for Mexican independence with mostly Indian and Mestizo.

Jose Bonifacia de Andrada steers Brazil towards independence rebukes Portugal.

1822 Sept. 7, Dom Pedro declares Brazil independentof Portugal.