ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the global history of political modernity cannot be properly understood without reference to a vanguard, decolonizing, republican Hispanic America that would abolish not only the ‘colonial legacy’ of Spanish rule but European monarchy at large. For these mid-nineteenth century Hispanic American republicans, Europe was not an example to follow. Europe was the home of slavery and subjects; America of freedom and citizens. Europe had to be decolonized if the world were to be free. Ironically, postcolonial and decolonial theorists have enshrined this Europe as the model and home of political modernity.
