In an essay identifying the causes of independence movements in Latin America and the Caribbean, the student would most likely include Enlightenment ideas.
The Enlightenment emphasized concepts such as liberty, equality, and individual rights, which inspired many leaders and movements seeking independence from colonial rule. While decentralized government and religious persecution may have played roles in some specific contexts, the influence of Enlightenment principles was a significant and widespread factor in motivating independence movements in the region. The absence of slavery, while relevant to some areas, was not a primary cause for most independence movements in Latin America and the Caribbean.