Question: During the past several weeks we have discussed very different popular uprisings across the late 18th- and early 19th-century Americas. While these uprisings sustained large-scale mobilizations, contradictions existed between leaders and followers.

Expert answer

There is no question that the dynamics of popular uprisings in the late 18th- and early 19th-century Americas differed greatly. While some uprisings, like the one in Saint-Domingue, were led by charismatic and well-organized leaders, others, like the Andean uprising, lacked strong leadership. Additionally, the motivations of rebel leaders and popular insurgents often diverged, which had a significant impact on the outcome of these uprisings.

In Saint-Domingue, for example, Toussaint Louverture emerged as a powerful leader who was able to rally support from both the enslaved population and free blacks. His goals were largely focused on achieving emancipation for all blacks in Saint-Domingue. However, many of the popular insurgents who followed him were motivated by more personal goals, such as revenge against their former masters. This divergence in motivation made it difficult for Louverture to maintain control over the uprising and ultimately led to its failure.

In contrast, the Andean uprising was marked by a lack of strong leadership. Although Tupac Amaru II emerged as a figurehead for the rebellion, he did not have the same level of support or organization as Toussaint Louverture. Additionally, the motivations of the Andean rebels were more diverse than those of the Saint-Domingue insurgents. Some rebels were fighting for independence from Spain, while others were motivated by indigenous rights or economic grievances. This diversity made it difficult for the uprising to maintain a cohesive focus, which ultimately contributed to its failure.

In conclusion, the dynamics of popular uprisings in the late 18th- and early 19th-century Americas were shaped by a variety of factors, including the leadership of the rebels and the motivations of the insurgents. These factors played a role in determining the outcomes of these uprisings, which ranged from success to failure.