The Latin American Wars of Independence were a series of revolutionary struggles that took place in the early 19th century, as colonies sought freedom from Spanish and Portuguese rule. Inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment and the successful American Revolution, leaders like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín emerged to rally support for independence across the continent. These wars, which lasted from about 1808 to 1826, involved various battles and uprisings in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Ultimately, the efforts of these independence movements led to the establishment of several new nations, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of Latin America.