After the arrival of the Spanish in Peru; all they were focused on were the riches found in Peru. Thus, to protect themselves and their wealth, a war organized against the Christians by Atahualpa's troops failed, Atahualpa was captured and subsequently executed; the Spanish had successfully obtained riches from Peru, so Peru had been colonized in 1533. Peru had gained independence from Spain through the influence of beliefs and concepts from foreign regions, as well as minor political events, and finally with the leadership of revolutionary leaders, José de San Martin and Simon Bolivar. By the 1780s, Peruvians came to believe strongly in the concept of liberalism as enlightenment spread across the world. Furthermore, a decade later, Peruvian intellectuals and politicians were influenced by what was happening in other parts of the world. In particular, the French Revolution and successful warfare in the North American colonies put ideas such as “the right to self-govern, the merits of nationalism, and the desire to do things differently” into the minds of oppressed Peruvians. Despite these beliefs and concepts, political events in Europe also played an essential role in pushing Peru towards independence. In 1808, King Ferdinand VII was dethroned due to Napoleon's invasion of Spain. Therefore, Spain temporarily had no control over the New World colonies. Two years later, Morales Duares was announced president. With this, a new liberal constitution was also created, which affected both Spain and the colonies. Concerning this revised document, open arguments, riots, and rebellions took place in 1812. Even as changes like these occurred in Europe that affected the Peruvians, liberators like General Jose de Sa...... middle of paper .. .... who had retreated further into... Ayacucho and returned to the coast to retake Lima." In the first days of December Bolivar achieved his goal of regaining control of Lima. On December 9 he captured the entire royalist army ending Spanish control over Peru. Evidently, Peru could not have obtained the independence from Spain if it were not for its beliefs and concepts, but especially for its leaders. Works Cited Hunefeldt, Christine New York City: An imprint on Facts On File Inc , 2004.Klaren, Peter Flindell, Society and Nation of Peru in the Andes. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000 Markham Clements R., tr ed ed. Letter of Hernando Pizarro to the Royal Audience of Santo Domingo, in Reports on the Discovery of Peru . London: Hakluyt Society, 1872. pp. 113-127