Royalist troops massacre citizens in Quito

Background. The Quito Revolution began in 1809 when local intellectuals formed a provisional Junta, deposing the Spanish ruler. The movement drew inspiration from the French Revolution, the independence of the United States and Haiti, Enlightenment ideas taught by Eugenio Espejo, and the chaos in Spain following Napoleon's invasion. Many plotters were arrested in October 1809 and imprisoned, setting the stage for the violent events of August 1810.

The Massacre. On 2 August 1810, Patriots attacked the Royal Barracks in Quito to free 32 imprisoned heroes from the 1809 Junta. Colonial troops arrived from Lima and killed the leaders of the uprising and about 200 other settlers. The massacre was ordered by the Royalist governor, Manuel Ruiz Urriés de Castilla.

Repercussions. The massacre was viewed throughout Hispanic America as an act of barbarism and as a justification for the 'War to the Death' later decreed by Simón Bolívar. More broadly, Quiteños had been surrounded by Royalist troops to the north and south and experienced serious difficulties in feeding themselves.