As the push for independence swept through the Spanish colonies, it was largely led by criollospeople of pure Spanish heritage born in the New World. Yet the land and opportunities available in the Americas drew European immigrants of various backgrounds. Though strict Spanish class divisions made upward mobility difficult for those not of pure Spanish blood, there were exceptionsperhaps none more notable than the illegitimate son of an Irish immigrant who led Chile to independence and became its first post-monarchy leader: Bernardo OHiggins.Early LifePortrait of Bernardo OHiggins holding the Chilean Constitution by Jos Gil de Castro, 1821. Source: Wikimedia CommonsBernardo OHiggins unlikely path to liberating Chile from Spanish rule began in 1778 when he was born in Chilln, Chile. OHiggins was the product of an affair between Isabel Riquelme, teenage daughter of a wealthy landowner, and the much older Ambrosio OHiggins, who never married. The elder OHiggins was born in Ireland and had moved to Spain in his 30s before ultimately traveling to the Spanish colonies and joining the ranks of the Spanish army. He did not formally recognize Bernardo as his son, but did provide for his upbringing. As a result, Bernardo originally used his mothers last name. He was raised by her family as well as various friends and contacts of Ambrosio before moving to Lima, Peru and then, in 1791, to Cdiz, Spain and London to pursue an education.In 1801, Ambrosio, who had ultimately become the Viceroy of Peru (which included present-day Chile) withdrew his support from Bernardo, who he accused of sedition and conspiracy, presumably due to some of the anti-monarchy contacts he had made while in Europe. Yet, later that same year, he formally recognized his son on his deathbed, leaving him a large estate, las Canteras, near Chiles frontier with Mapuche territory. Bernardo, who was at this point penniless and struggling in Spain after nearly dying of yellow fever, then returned to Chile as a new member of the landed class.Spanish Colonies: Independence FeverMap of the Spanish colonies in the Americas. Source: World History EncyclopediaBy the early 19th century, the Spanish Empire, stretching from the present-day southwestern United States to the southern tip of South America, was starting to show cracks. As in the US just a few decades earlier, citizens were growing frustrated with trade restrictions and taxes imposed by the monarchy, coupled with the crowns dismissal of criollos in favor of pure Spaniards from Europe when it came to positions of power in the colonies.As Spain fought its own wars of succession in the 18th century and then became embroiled in Napoleons European wars, it necessarily altered and then lessened its presence in the colonies. When Napoleon invaded Spain and imprisoned its king, management of the entire empire fell into chaos. Colonists felt no loyalty to Joseph Bonaparte, who Napoleon had put on the throne, and could no longer rely on the Spanish government to help administer the colonies. While there was not yet a powerful movement advocating complete independence from Spain, a number of colonies formed juntas to govern in the kings absence; it spelled the beginning of the end for Spanish rule.OHiggins Rise to FameBattle of El Roble, 1813. Source: Government of ChileDuring his time in Europe, OHiggins had connected with Francisco de Miranda, Venezuelas independence leader, and other radicals of the time who were advocating the colonies independence from Spain. On his return to Chile, he maintained contact with many such rebels who had since moved to Buenos Aires, continuing to develop his liberal ideals and support for colonial independence.OHiggins earliest days on the continent were spent organizing affairs at his new estate. Though he had no title due to the circumstances of his birth, he still had his fathers name and connections, which led him into positions of authority rather quickly. In 1805, he was named mayor of Chilln and established a friendship with an important political figure, Juan Martnez de Rosas, who would become his mentor. Acting as Martnez de Rosas representative, OHiggins began participating in the newly established junta government in 1810.As Spanish rule floundered, Chiles ruling class quickly divided into three camps: extremistsultimately patriotswho wanted complete independence, moderates who favored a slower pace of reforms and the maintenance of some connection with Spain, and royalists who remained loyal to the crown and preferred to uphold the status quo. Ultimately the extremists won out, but not without drawing the attention of the Spanish leadership in the Viceroyalty of Peru, which moved to bring Chile into line.When the Spanish invaded Chile, OHiggins took up arms. Though he had no formal military training, he quickly stood out among other officers for fighting alongside his men. In particular, his refusal to retreat at the Battle of El Roble in 1813, when Jos Miguel Carrera, leader of the patriot cause, fled, was heralded by the rebels. OHiggins won the battleas well as a new enemy in Carrera when many patriots looked to OHiggins as their new leader.Liberating ChileBattle of Chacabuco. Source: Government of ChileAfter a number of losses, new troops from Lima arrived and the Spanish royalist forces retook Chile. OHiggins and the other patriot leaders were exiled to Mendoza, in present day Argentina, but had no plans to give up the cause. Jos de San Martn, famed hero of the continents wars of independence, was leading Argentinas patriots at that time and viewed OHiggins, rather than Carrera, as leader of the Chilean rebels. Together they planned to retake Chile by bringing the Army of the Andes across the mountain range to join Chilean patriots and engage the royalists, a monumental task.In 1817, they succeeded in traversing the treacherous Andes, though they lost many men as well as horses to the terrain, freezing temperatures, and illness. Undeterred, on February 12, the approximately 3,500 rebels encountered the 2,000-strong royalist army in Chacabuco, just north of Santiago, and won. Histories diverge slightly at this point, with some historians claiming that San Martn declined the position of Supreme Director and suggested OHiggins in his stead while other scholars suggest the patriots themselves insisted the new Chilean leader be Chilean. Whatever the truth, OHiggins was named Supreme Director, the highest position in the fledgling nation, while the war raged on.Royalist forces, particularly in the southern part of the country, still needed to be quashed, so both San Martn and OHiggins continued to fight. After one particularly violent battle, in which OHiggins was shot in the elbow, rumors spread that both rebel leaders had been killed. OHiggins, still recovering from his injury, hurried back to Santiago to stave off any other patriots who might have their sights on ruling in his stead. On the one-year anniversary of the victory in Chacabuco, OHiggins formally declared Chiles independence, though skirmishes with remaining royalists and Spanish troops continued.Founding a NationPortrait of OHiggins rival, Jos Miguel Carrera. Source: Government of ChileThough Chile had declared itself an independent nation, the continued presence of the Spanish authority in Lima was a thorn in OHiggins side; he felt that independence couldnt be assured as long as that threat lingered. Though the country he now ruled was essentially in ruins after years of war, OHiggins largely focused his early leadership on efforts to establish a naval force to counter the Spanish and depose the Viceroy, which San Martn succeeded in doing in 1821.Domestically, OHiggins embarked on various reform projects, hoping to rebuild Chile into a modern, less-stratified society. He built primary schools, reopened the national library and created a military training school. He established trade relations with European nations in the hopes of refilling the nations coffers and encouraging immigration to Chile.However, some of his reforms won the ire of the aristocracy, particularly the abolishment of primogeniture and noble titles. He may also have played a role in the execution of his rival Carrera and his brothers, all of whom tried to overthrow or derail OHiggins rule, though it was never proven. As the country rebuilt, he continued to be plagued by challenges and threats from Carreras supporters, remaining royalists, the elites, and the Catholic church. In addition, Chiles financial situation was slow to improve, forcing him to take on the nations first foreign debt, a loan from England.Though a resurgence of Spanish forces was no longer a danger, OHiggins rule was now threatened from within. As he lost support, the country neared civil war, and former allies moved against him. Rather than fight another battle, OHiggins decided to step down. In 1823, he fled to Peru with his mother, half-sister, and illegitimate son, Demetrio.LegacyBust of Bernardo OHiggins in front of the Chilean Embassy in Washington DC. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOHiggins spent the rest of his life in Peru, living in relative obscurity on land he was given as a thank you for helping win the countrys independence. He was briefly in contact with famed liberator Simn Bolvar, who requested his assistance in fighting the Spanish, but when he joined Bolvars forces, he found no leadership role available to him and soon returned to his quiet life in Peru.When patriot forces did retake Peru, OHiggins attended a celebratory ball where he toasted Bolvar and declared, America is free. From now on General OHiggins does not exist; I am only Bernardo OHiggins, a private citizen. Tragically, when he was finally granted permission to return to Chile and began making plans to do so, he fell ill. He died on October 24, 1842, still in Lima; in 1869 his remains were returned to Chile.Today, OHiggins is considered one of Chiles founding fathers, and his accomplishments are honored in his home country and beyond. While Chile has graced everything from towns to national parks to military bases with his name, statues and sculptures of the revolutionary can be found throughout South America and as far away as England and Ireland. Though his years in power were short, his pivotal role in winning his countrys independence and early attempts to modernize its society have never been forgotten.