The Comunero Rebellion of 1781 stands out…
1780 CE to 1791 CE
The triggering mechanism is Spain's participation, as a traditional foe of England, in the very struggle that is bringing the British colonies their independence.
Spain needs money for the naval base at Cartagena among other things, and the result is tax increases in New Granada along with irritating new controls to make sure the taxes are paid.
Farmers and artisans in the province of Socorro demonstrate their defiance of these measures by destroying the liquor and tobacco belonging to state monopolies and establishing revolutionary committees (comunes), which take control of local administration.
The movement spreads beyond Socorro to much of New Granada, with the Comuneros demanding a rollback of the offensive tax measures.
The protesters also made some unrelated demands designed to satisfy other complaints, such as that native New Granadans be given preference over Spaniards in official appointments.
The audiencia, acting on behalf of the viceroy, who is in Cartagena overseeing defenses, gives an outward show of granting most demands, but as soon as it becomes possible to send military reinforcements from the coast into the interior, the movement quickly collapses.
A few leaders of last-ditch resistance are executed.
At no point had the Comuneros proclaimed independence as an objective, and most likely few even considered the idea, but the rebellion underscored the existence of grievances and the potential for popular protest.
Locations
Groups
Tairona
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Christians, Roman Catholic
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Muisca (Amerind tribe)
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Inquisition, Spanish
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Spain, Habsburg Kingdom of
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Spaniards (Latins)
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Granada, New Kingdom of (Spanish colony)
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Peru, Viceroyalty of
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Spain, Habsburg Kingdom of
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Quito, Real Audiencia of
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Bogotá, Audiencia de Santa Fe de (Captaincy General of New Granada)
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Venezuela Province
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Britain, Kingdom of Great
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New Granada, Viceroyalty of
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New Granada, Viceroyalty of
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Venezuela, Captaincy General of
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