Independence from Spain by Country 2024

During the 16th century, the Spanish Empire conquered new regions. Colonized countries began detaching from Spain in the 19th century with the help of the United States.

The Spanish Netherlands belonged to Spain from 1556 to 1714. On January 30, 1648, Spain recognized the independence of the Dutch Republic, or what is now the Netherlands, though they did not lose control until 1700.

The Iberian Union, or modern-day Portugal, was recognized as an independent country on December 1, 1640. Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Lisbon, which liberated Portugal.

Spanish Formosa, or Taiwan, was ceded to Spain during the eighty-year war and gained independence in 1642.

Before it was the United States, parts of the US were occupied by Spain starting in 1492.

Louisiana, or the French First Republic, was part of the Spanish Empire and was granted independence on March 21, 1801. The territory included what are now US states that include Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and parts of Canada.

During the Mexican War of Independence, New Spain, or Mexico, fought against the Spanish to gain sovereignty. Spain and Mexico signed the peace treaty on September 15, 1821.

Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador were all part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. The countries gained their independence between 1821 and 1825.

Cuba and the Philippines, or the Captaincy General of Cuba, gained independence from Spain in 1868 but ended up occupied by the United States. Cuba and the Philippines gained full sovereignty from Spain and the US in 1946.

In 1899, Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of Paris, which granted the remainder of the US independence. The US territories Puerto Rico and Gaum were included in the Treaty of Paris.