Who was the leader of the Venezuelan Revolution?
Persons such as Francisco de Miranda, a long-term Venezuelan expatriate, and Simón Bolívar, a young, Criollo aristocrat—both influenced by Age of Enlightenment ideas and the example of the French Revolution —led the movement. The Congress declared Venezuela's independence on 5 July 1811, establishing the Republic of Venezuela.
How did Simon Bolivar gain power in Venezuela?
In 1810 he met Simón Bolívar, who was in London attempting to get British support for the revolution that had finally begun in South America. Bolívar persuaded Miranda to return to Venezuela, where he was made a general in the revolutionary army. When the country formally declared independence on July 5, 1811, he assumed dictatorial powers.
Why did Venezuela declare independence from Spain in 1810?
On April 19, 1810, Venezuelan Creole patriots held a meeting in Caracas where they declared a provisional independence: they would rule themselves until such time as the Spanish monarchy was restored. For those who truly wanted independence, such as young Simón Bolívar, it was a half-victory, but still better than no victory at all.
Why was Venezuela’s independence called “the Liberator”?
Venezuelan independence didn’t last long (Bolívar was ousted in 1814), but Bolívar’s nickname did. Bolívar adopted “The Liberator” as his official title, and he insisted that there could be no higher title.
Who was the leader of the second Venezuelan Republic?
When did Venezuela declare independence?
What countries did Venezuela break apart from?
What was Venezuela's economy like under the Spanish?
What happened in 1812 in Caracas?
What is the day of Venezuela's independence?
What is the national holiday of Venezuela?
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About this website
Who was the independence leader of Venezuela that Bolívar supported in 1810 11?
Francisco de MirandaFrancisco de Miranda, (born March 28, 1750, Caracas, Venez. —died July 14, 1816, Cádiz, Spain), Venezuelan revolutionary who helped to pave the way for independence in Latin America.
Who helped Venezuela gain independence?
Miranda used the tricolour flag in the independence campaign and the flag forms the basis of the present day Venezuelan flag, which uses the same three colours with the addition of stars and a coat of arms. In 1811 Francisco Miranda persuaded Venezuela's National Congress to declare independence.
What did Simón Bolívar do 1810?
Bolívar began his military career in 1810 as a militia officer in the Venezuelan War of Independence, fighting Spanish and more native Royalist forces for the first and second Venezuelan republics and the United Provinces of New Granada.
How did Venezuela gain its independence?
Summary. Venezuela effectively achieved its independence from Spain by 1819 as part of the Republic of Colombia, and the United States recognized the Colombian federation in 1822. After Venezuela separated from Colombia in 1830, the United States recognized and established diplomatic relations with Venezuela in 1835.
Who fought in the Venezuelan War of independence?
The Venezuelan War of Independence (Spanish: Guerra de Independencia de Venezuela, 1810–1823) was one of the Spanish American wars of independence of the early nineteenth century, when independence movements in Latin America fought against rule by the Spanish Empire, emboldened by Spain's troubles in the Napoleonic ...
What was Simon Bolivar known for?
Simón Bolivar is remembered today as the greatest leader of South American independence. Highly influenced by the examples of the United States, the French Revolution and Napoleon, he led a massive revolt against Spanish colonial rule in South America, beginning in 1810.
What did Simon Bolivar do for Venezuela?
Bolívar himself led multiple expeditionary forces against the Spaniards, and between 1819 and 1822 he successfully liberated three territories—New Granada (Colombia and Panama), Venezuela, and Quito (Ecuador)—from Spanish rule.
Why did Simon Bolivar fight for independence?
Bolívar won formal independence for Venezuela in 1821 and Ecuador in 1822. He freed Peru from Spain in 1824 and Upper Peru in 1825, which renamed itself Bolivia. He was president of Gran Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Bolívar hoped that these nations would unite and thus become stronger.
When did Venezuela gain its independence?
July 5, 1811Venezuela / Founded
Which 2 revolutionaries helped free the South American countries from Spain?
The movements that liberated Spanish South America arose from opposite ends of the continent. From the north came the movement led most famously by Simón Bolívar, a dynamic figure known as the Liberator. From the south proceeded another powerful force, this one directed by the more circumspect José de San Martín.
Who wrote the Venezuelan Declaration of independence?
The declaration proclaimed a new nation called the American Confederacy of Venezuela and was mainly written by Cristóbal Mendoza and Juan Germán Roscio.
What caused Bolívar to join the independence movement?
When Napoleon named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies, which included Venezuela, Bolívar joined the resistance movement. The resistance group based in Caracas gained independence in 1810, and Bolívar traveled to Britain on a diplomatic mission.
Who was Simón Bolívar?
Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan soldier and statesman who played a central role in the South American independence movement. Bolívar served as presi...
What was Simón Bolívar’s early life like?
Simón Bolívar was born on July 24, 1783, in Caracas, Venezuela. Neither Bolívar’s aristocrat father nor his mother lived to see his 10th birthday....
What role did Simón Bolívar play in the Latin American independence movement?
Simón Bolívar penned two political treatises—the Manifiesto de Cartagena (“Cartagena Manifesto”) and the Carta de Jamaica (“Letter from Jamaica”)—e...
Why was Simón Bolívar called “The Liberator?”
Simón Bolívar first liberated Venezuela in 1813. Upon entering the capital city of Venezuela on August 6, 1813, Bolívar was given the nickname “El...
How did Simón Bolívar die?
There is some controversy surrounding Simón Bolívar’s death. According to official reports, Bolívar died of tuberculosis on December 17, 1830, at a...
Venezuelan Revolution Timeline | Preceden
High taxes, oppressive working conditions, the Spanish had too many government positions, wealthy families had control over most of the economy (agriculture), slaves had to serve in the military.
Venezuelan War of Independence - Timeline Index
The Venezuelan War of Independence (1810–1823) was one of the Spanish American wars of independence of the early nineteenth century, when independence movements in Latin America fought against rule by the Spanish Empire, emboldened by Spain's troubles in the Napoleonic Wars.
Venezuela - The independence movement | Britannica
The independence movement. A group of Venezuelan Creoles boldly proclaimed their country an independent republic in 1797. Although their effort failed, it forewarned of the revolutionary movements that were soon to inflame Latin America.. In 1806 Francisco de Miranda—who had earlier fought under George Washington against the British, served as a general in the French Revolution, and fought ...
Venezuela - The Epic of Independence - Country Studies
Venezuela Table of Contents. Miranda was born in Caracas of wealthy criollo parents in 1750. Following a checkered career in the Spanish Army, Miranda spent virtually the rest of his life living in nations that were at odds with Spain, seeking support for the cause of the independence of his native Spanish America.
Who was the leader of the second Venezuelan Republic?
Bolivar quickly established an independent government known as the Second Venezuelan Republic. He had outsmarted the Spanish during the Admirable Campaign, but he had not defeated them, and there were still large Spanish and royalist armies in Venezuela. Bolivar and other generals such as Santiago Mariño and Manuel Piar fought them bravely, but in the end, the royalists were too much for them.
When did Venezuela declare independence?
April 19, 1810 : Venezuela Declares Independence. By early 1810, Venezuela was ready for independence. Ferdinand VII, the heir to the Spanish crown, was a prisoner of Napoleon of France, who became the de facto (if indirect) ruler of Spain. Even those Creoles who supported Spain in the New World were appalled.
What countries did Venezuela break apart from?
With the Spanish finally driven off, Venezuela began putting itself back together. Bolívar had formed the Republic of Gran Colombia, which included present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. The republic lasted until about 1830 when it fell apart into Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador (Panama was part of Colombia at the time). General Páez was the main leader behind Venezuela's break from Gran Colombia.
What was Venezuela's economy like under the Spanish?
Venezuela Under the Spanish. Under the Spanish colonial system, Venezuela was a bit of a backwater. It was part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, ruled by a Viceroy in Bogota (present-day Colombia). The economy was mostly agricultural and a handful of extremely wealthy families had complete control over the region.
What happened in 1812 in Caracas?
Spanish and royalist forces attacked, however, and a devastating earthquake leveled Caracas on March 26, 1812. Between the royalists and the earthquake, the young Republic was doomed. By July of 1812, leaders such as Bolívar had gone into exile and Miranda was in the hands of the Spanish.
What is the day of Venezuela's independence?
General Páez was the main leader behind Venezuela's break from Gran Colombia. Today, Venezuela celebrates two independence days: April 19, when Caracas patriots first declared a provisional independence, and July 5, when they formally severed all ties with Spain. Venezuela celebrates its independence day (an official holiday) with parades, ...
What is the national holiday of Venezuela?
Venezuela celebrates its independence day (an official holiday) with parades, speeches, and parties. In 1874, Venezuelan President Antonio Guzmán Blanco announced his plans to turn the Holy Trinity Church of Caracas into a national Pantheon to house the bones of the most illustrious heroes of Venezuela.
Who was the Liberator of Venezuela?
With backing from the patriots of New Granada, Bolívar led an expeditionary force to retake Venezuela. In a sweeping hard-fought campaign, he vanquished the royalists in six pitched battles and on August 6, 1813, entered Caracas. He was given the title of Liberator and assumed political dictatorship.
When did Venezuela gain independence?
After long deliberation, the national assembly declared Venezuela’s independence on July 5, 1811. Bolívar now entered the army of the young republic, whose commander in chief was Miranda, and was placed in charge of Puerto Cabello, a port on the Caribbean Sea west of Caracas that was vital to Venezuela.
Who was Simón Bolívar?
Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan soldier and statesman who played a central role in the South American independence movement. Bolívar served as president of Gran Colombia (1819–30) and as dictator of Peru (1823–26). The country of Bolivia is named for him.
What was Simón Bolívar’s early life like?
Simón Bolívar was born on July 24, 1783, in Caracas, Venezuela. Neither Bolívar’s aristocrat father nor his mother lived to see his 10th birthday. Bolívar was instead raised by his uncle, who administered his inheritance and provided him with tutors. One of Bolívar’s tutors—a man named Simón Rodríguez—introduced him to the world of liberal thought. Under Rodríguez’s guidance, Bolívar read and studied the likes of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It’s likely that Rodríguez’s early lessons in liberalism influenced Bolívar in his later decision to rebel against Spanish rule.
What was the Latin American independence movement?
The Latin American independence movement was launched a year after Bolívar’s return, as Napoleon’s invasion of Spain unsettled Spanish authority. Napoleon also failed completely in his attempt to gain the support of the Spanish colonies, which claimed the right to nominate their own officials. Following the example of the mother country, they wished to establish juntas to rule in the name of the deposed Spanish king. Many of the Spanish settlers, however, saw in those events an opportunity to sever their ties with Spain. Bolívar himself participated in various conspiratorial meetings, and on April 19, 1810, the Spanish governor was officially deprived of his powers and expelled from Venezuela. A junta took over. To obtain help, Bolívar was sent on a mission to London, where he arrived in July. His assignment was to explain to England the plight of the revolutionary colony, to gain recognition for it, and to obtain arms and support. Although he failed in his official negotiations, his English sojourn was in other respects a fruitful one. It gave him an opportunity to study the institutions of the United Kingdom, which remained for him models of political wisdom and stability. More important, he fostered the cause of the revolution by persuading the exiled Venezuelan Francisco de Miranda, who in 1806 had attempted to liberate his country single-handedly, to return to Caracas and assume command of the independence movement.
What happened to Miranda after he was rescued from Venezuela?
An armistice was signed (July 1812) that left the entire country at the mercy of Spain. Miranda was turned over to the Spaniards —after Bolívar and others prevented his escape from Venezuela—and spent the rest of his life in Spanish dungeons.
When did Venezuela declare independence?
Venezuela’s Declaration of Independence in 1810. Venezuela's Independence Day. Martin Tovar y Tovar, 1877. The republic of Venezuela celebrates its independence from Spain on two different dates: April 19, when an initial declaration of semi-independence from Spain was signed in 1810, and July 5, when a more definitive break was signed in 1811.
Who was the Captain General of Venezuela in the Caracas explosion?
Caracas, predictably, exploded: people took to the streets declaring loyalty to Ferdinand. A ruling junta was proclaimed and Juan de Las Casas, the Captain-General of Venezuela, was deposed.
What did the elite of Caracas agree to?
The elite of Caracas agreed on a provisional independence from Spain: they were rebelling against Joseph Bonaparte, not the Spanish crown, and would mind their own affairs until Ferdinand VII was restored. Still, they made some quick decisions: they outlawed enslavement, exempted Indigenous People from paying tribute, reduced or removed trade barriers, and decided to send envoys to the United States and Britain. Wealthy young nobleman Simón Bolívar financed the mission to London.
What happened in 1810 in Caracas?
On April 17, 1810, however, news reached Caracas that the government loyal to Ferdinand had been crushed by Napoleon . The city erupted into chaos once more. Patriots who favored full independence and royalists loyal to Ferdinand could agree on one thing: they would not tolerate French rule. On April 19, Creole patriots confronted the new Captain-General Vicente Emparán and demanded self-rule. Emparán was stripped of authority and sent back to Spain. José Félix Ribas, a wealthy young patriot, rode through Caracas, exhorting Creole leaders to come to the meeting taking place in the council chambers.
What was the result of the April 19 movement?
Legacy of the April 19 Movement. The result of the Act of Independence was immediate. All over Venezuela, cities and towns decided either to follow Caracas' lead or not: many cities chose to remain under Spanish rule. This led to fighting and a de facto Civil War in Venezuela.
Which city was declared independent on April 19th?
Still, the independence of Caracas had much longer lasting effects than that of Quito, which was quickly put down.
Who voted for independence in 1811?
On July 5, 1811, the ruling junta voted in favor of complete Independence from Spain - their self-rule was no longer dependent on the state of the Spanish king.
Who led the Venezuelan independence movement?
As the Congress deliberated, a faction proposing outright independence quickly won favor. Persons such as Francisco de Miranda, a long-term Venezuelan expatriate, and Simón Bolívar, a young, Criollo aristocrat—both influenced by Age of Enlightenment ideas and the example of the French Revolution —led the movement.
What was the Venezuelan War of Independence?
Venezuelan War of Independence. The Venezuelan War of Independence (1810–1823) was one of the Spanish American wars of independence of the early nineteenth century, when independence movements in Latin America fought against rule by the Spanish Empire, emboldened by Spain's troubles in the Napoleonic Wars .
What battle did the Spanish defeat in 1823?
The Spanish sent a fleet in 1823 to reconquer the country but were defeated at the Battle of Lake Maracaibo. In the following years Venezuelan forces, as part of the army of Gran Colombia, continued campaigning under the leadership of Bolívar to liberate the southern parts of New Granada and Ecuador.
Which two provinces were not recognized by Spain?
Two provinces, Maracaibo Province and Guayana Province, and one district, Coro, never recognized the Caracas Junta and remained loyal to the governments in Spain. Military expeditions to bring Coro and Guayana under the control of the Republic failed.
When did Colombia become independent?
On 17 December 1819 , the Congress of Angostura declared Gran Colombia an independent country. After two more years of war, the country achieved independence from Spain in 1821 under the leadership of its most famous son, Simón Bolívar. Venezuela, along with the present-day.
When did the Caracas Junta start?
The establishment of the Supreme Caracas Junta following the forced deposition of Vicente Emparan as Captain General of the Captaincy General of Venezuela on 19 April 1810, marked the beginnings of the war. On 5 July 1811, seven of the ten provinces of the Captaincy General of Venezuela declared their independence in the Venezuelan Declaration ...
Which country inherited the role of capital from Spain?
Bogotá inherited the role of capital from Spain, but the royalists were entrenched in southern Colombia ( Popayán and Pasto ). Cali was a bastion of the independence movement just north of royalist territory. Cartagena declared independence not only from Spain but also from Bogotá.
Who was the colonel of Puerto Cabello?
After a coup and unilateral declaration of independence by Venezuelan leaders in 1810, Bolívar then a colonel, was put in charge of the fortified coastal town of Puerto Cabello in 1812, which he soon lost to the advancing Spanish forces, in part due to the defection of his fellow commander, Francisco Vinoni. It was not an auspicious beginning for the man regarded as 'El Libertador' or more recently, American Liberator.
What is the recurring characteristic of nationalist and guerrilla movements?
A recurring characteristic of nationalist and guerrilla movements is the jockeying for power among the leadership whereby sub-groups are formed to push a particular person or cabal into the position of ultimate leadership and maintain that appointment. Many early leaders of the Cuban Revolution and possible future competitors to Fidel Castro soon disappeared from public view by incarceration or death, such as Huber Matos and Camilo Cienfuegos. As the saying goes, it is better to be on the inside looking out than the outside looking in.
What was the decree of war to the death?
The following June in the western state of Trujillo, an empowered Bolívar famously issued a Decree of War to the Death, whereby Venezuelan guerrillas were absolved of all acts of violence, murder or atrocities against Spanish citizens in Venezuela.
Who Was Simón Bolívar?
Simón Bolívar was a South American soldier who was instrumental in the continent's revolutions against the Spanish empire. Born into wealth, Bolívar was sent to Spain for his education, soon deciding to immerse himself in the political sphere in Europe.
Early Life
Simón José Antonio de la Santísma Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios was born on July 24, 1783 in Caracas, New Granada (now Venezuela). Bolívar was born into a prosperous family who took their money from rich gold and copper mines they owned in Venezuela. Young Bolívar moved to Spain in 1799 after the deaths of his parents.
Revolution
After her death, Bólivar returned to Europe and kept company with Napoleon. Bolívar returned to Venezuela in 1807. When Napoleon named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies, which included Venezuela, Bolívar joined the resistance movement.
Adrienne Kennedy
Gaining support from Haiti, Bolívar returned to his home continent and became involved in a number of military battles, eventually able to claim several territories. 1821 saw the creation of the Gran Colombia, under Bolívar's leadership. This federation included much of what is now Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador.
Accomplishments
Bolívar had succeeded in uniting much of South America in a federation free from Spanish control, but the government was fragile.
Death and Legacy
On December 17, 1830, however, Simón Bolívar died in Santa Marta, Colombia, after a battle with what may have been tuberculosis.
Fact Check
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Who was the British general who persuaded Miranda to return to Venezuela?
In 1810 he met Simón Bolívar, who was in London attempting to get British support for the revolution that had finally begun in South America. Bolívar persuaded Miranda to return to Venezuela, where he was made a general in the revolutionary army.
What was the name of the empire that Miranda envisioned?
Miranda envisioned an independent empire, stretching from the Mississippi to Cape Horn, under the leadership of a hereditary emperor from the Incan royal family and with a legislature of two houses. The French Revolution delayed Miranda’s plans for a few years.
When did Miranda sign the Armistice?
Subscribe Now. The Spanish forces counterattacked, and Miranda, fearing a brutal and hopeless defeat, signed an armistice with them in July 1812 at San Mateo.
Who was the general who fought in the French Revolution?
In 1806 Francisco de Miranda —who had earlier fought under George Washington against the British, served as a general in the French Revolution, and fought with the French against Prussia and Russia—tried unsuccessfully to land on the Venezuelan coast with a group of mercenaries whom he had recruited…
Who was Francisco de Miranda?
Francisco de Miranda, (born March 28, 1750, Caracas, Venez.—died July 14, 1816, Cádiz, Spain), Venezuelan revolutionary who helped to pave the way for independence in Latin America. His own plan for the liberation of Spain’s American colonies with the help of the European powers failed, but he remains known as El Precursor—i.e., “the forerunner” of Bolívar and other more effective revolutionaries.
Who believed that Miranda's surrender was treasonable?
The other revolutionary leaders, including Bolívar, believed his surrender was treasonable and thwarted Miranda’s attempt to escape; they allowed him to be handed over to the Spanish. Transported in chains to Cádiz, he eventually died in his prison cell.
Why was Miranda imprisoned?
Educated in Caracas, Miranda purchased a captaincy in the Spanish army at the age of 22. He was imprisoned for disobedience but was released in 1780 and sent to Cuba to fight against Great Britain. There he was accused of misuse of funds. Protesting his innocence, he fled to the United States in 1783.
Who was the leader of Venezuela in 1811?
This leadership role of Venezuela and its independent movement in 1811 is evocative of today’s Venezuela’s independent movement for the creation of the Patria Grande (Great Homeland) of Latin America envisioned by Simón Bolívar and resumed by Hugo Chávez.
When did Venezuela get independence?
The independence movement initiated on April 19, 1810 and concluded on July 5, 1811 remains alive today with the government of Nicolás Maduro with a call to a peaceful, legitimate, constitutional and democratic process in which all Venezuelans can participate in order to achieve the Venezuela they want. All Venezuelans are invited to participate without exclusion.
What is the significance of July 5th?
For any country the celebration of independence is of great historical importance and pride. July 5 marks the 209th anniversary of Venezuela’s independence. The meaning of the term “independence” has certainly occupied central stage in the last 21 years of the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. Former President Hugo Chávez and current President Nicolás Maduro have made independence and sovereignty the pillars on which the Bolivarian process rests with full participation of all Venezuelans as protagonists. There is no compromise on that today as Simon Bolivar did not compromise in the nineteenth century.
What did Chávez restore?
Not only did Chávez restore the true meaning of independence but he broadened it to encompass sovereignty and a popular government based on democracy and its protagonist role.
How long did the first Republic of Venezuela last?
The First Republic of Venezuela only lasted one year. And here is where the real learning lessons for the Fifth Republic may be.
What was the purpose of the Junta Suprema?
However, to its credit, this board carried out significant internal reforms: abolished the slave trade, tried to unify the provinces and strengthen their autonomy, and made efforts abroad to obtain the solidarity of other colonies and the recognition and help of foreign nations.
When is the 209th anniversary of Venezuela's independence?
July 5 marks the 209th anniversary of Venezuela’s independence. Nino Pagglicia reflects on the historical event.
Who was the leader of the second Venezuelan Republic?
Bolivar quickly established an independent government known as the Second Venezuelan Republic. He had outsmarted the Spanish during the Admirable Campaign, but he had not defeated them, and there were still large Spanish and royalist armies in Venezuela. Bolivar and other generals such as Santiago Mariño and Manuel Piar fought them bravely, but in the end, the royalists were too much for them.
When did Venezuela declare independence?
April 19, 1810 : Venezuela Declares Independence. By early 1810, Venezuela was ready for independence. Ferdinand VII, the heir to the Spanish crown, was a prisoner of Napoleon of France, who became the de facto (if indirect) ruler of Spain. Even those Creoles who supported Spain in the New World were appalled.
What countries did Venezuela break apart from?
With the Spanish finally driven off, Venezuela began putting itself back together. Bolívar had formed the Republic of Gran Colombia, which included present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. The republic lasted until about 1830 when it fell apart into Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador (Panama was part of Colombia at the time). General Páez was the main leader behind Venezuela's break from Gran Colombia.
What was Venezuela's economy like under the Spanish?
Venezuela Under the Spanish. Under the Spanish colonial system, Venezuela was a bit of a backwater. It was part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, ruled by a Viceroy in Bogota (present-day Colombia). The economy was mostly agricultural and a handful of extremely wealthy families had complete control over the region.
What happened in 1812 in Caracas?
Spanish and royalist forces attacked, however, and a devastating earthquake leveled Caracas on March 26, 1812. Between the royalists and the earthquake, the young Republic was doomed. By July of 1812, leaders such as Bolívar had gone into exile and Miranda was in the hands of the Spanish.
What is the day of Venezuela's independence?
General Páez was the main leader behind Venezuela's break from Gran Colombia. Today, Venezuela celebrates two independence days: April 19, when Caracas patriots first declared a provisional independence, and July 5, when they formally severed all ties with Spain. Venezuela celebrates its independence day (an official holiday) with parades, ...
What is the national holiday of Venezuela?
Venezuela celebrates its independence day (an official holiday) with parades, speeches, and parties. In 1874, Venezuelan President Antonio Guzmán Blanco announced his plans to turn the Holy Trinity Church of Caracas into a national Pantheon to house the bones of the most illustrious heroes of Venezuela.
Overview
Political and military career
By April 1806, Bolívar had returned to Paris and desired passage to Venezuela, where Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda had just attempted an invasion with American volunteers. British control of the seas resulting from the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, however, obliged Bolívar to board an American ship in Hamburg in October 1806. Bolívar arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, in January 1807, and from there traveled to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Bo…
Early life and family
Simón Bolívar was born on 24 July 1783 in Caracas, capital of the Captaincy General of Venezuela, the fourth and youngest child of Juan Vicente Bolívar y Ponte [es] and María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco [es]. He was baptized as Simón José Antonio de la Santísma Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios on 30 July. Simón was born into the Bolívar family, one of the wealthiest and most prestigious creole families in the Spanish Americas. The first Bolívar to emigrate to the America…
Death and burial
Bolívar resigned the presidency on 27 April 1830, intending to leave the country for exile in Europe.
On 17 December 1830, at the age of 47, Simón Bolívar died of tuberculosis in the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino in Santa Marta, Gran Colombia (now Colombia).
Bolívar's remains were buried in the cathedral of Santa Marta. Twelve years lat…
Personal beliefs
Bolívar was an admirer of both the American Revolution and the French Revolution. While he was an admirer of U.S. independence, he did not believe that its governmental system could work in Latin America. Thus, he claimed that the governance of heterogeneous societies like Venezuela "will require a firm hand". He felt that the U.S. had been established in land especially fertile for democracy. By contrast, he referred to Spanish America as having been subject to the "triple yok…
Legacy
Due to the historical relevance of Bolívar as a key element during the process of independence in Hispanic America, his memory has been strongly attached to sentiments of nationalism and patriotism, being a recurrent theme of rhetoric in politics.
In Venezuela, Bolívar left behind a militarist legacy with multiple governments …
See also
• Bolivarian Revolution
• Bolivarianism
• Statue of Simón Bolívar (Houston)
• Toussaint Louverture
Further reading
• Bushnell, David. The Liberator, Simón Bolívar: Man and Image. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970.
• Bushnell, David and Macaulay, Neill. The Emergence of Latin America in the Nineteenth Century (Second edition). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0-19-508402-3
• Gómez Martínez, José Luis. "La encrucijada del cambio: Simón Bolívar entre dos paradigmas (una reflexión ante la encrucijada postindustrial)". Cuadernos Americanos 104 (2004): 11–32.
Venezuela Under The Spanish
Miranda Invades Venezuela
- Francisco de Miranda was a Venezuelan soldier who had gone to Europe and had become a General during the French Revolution. A fascinating man, he was friends with Alexander Hamiltonand other important international figures and even was the lover of Catherine the Great of Russia for a while. All throughout his many adventures in Europe, he dreamed of freedom for …
April 19, 1810: Venezuela Declares Independence
- By early 1810, Venezuela was ready for independence. Ferdinand VII, the heir to the Spanish crown, was a prisoner of Napoleonof France, who became the de facto (if indirect) ruler of Spain. Even those Creoles who supported Spain in the New World were appalled. On April 19, 1810, Venezuelan Creole patriots held a meeting in Caracas where they declar...
The First Venezuelan Republic
- The resulting government became known as the First Venezuelan Republic. Radicals within the government, such as Simón Bolívar, José Félix Ribas, and Francisco de Miranda pushed for unconditional independence and on July 5, 1811, the congress approved it, making Venezuela the firstSouth American nation to formally sever all ties with Spain. Spanish and royalist forces attac…
The Admirable Campaign
- By October of 1812, Bolívar was ready to rejoin the fight. He went to Colombia, where he was given a commission as an officer and a small force. He was told to harass the Spanish along the Magdalena River. Before long, Bolívar had driven the Spanish out of the region and amassed a large army, Impressed, the civilian leaders in Cartagena gave him permission to liberate western …
The Second Venezuelan Republic
- Bolivar quickly established an independent government known as the Second Venezuelan Republic. He had outsmarted the Spanish during the Admirable Campaign, but he had not defeated them, and there were still large Spanish and royalist armies in Venezuela. Bolivar and other generals such as Santiago Mariño and Manuel Piarfought them bravely, but in the end, the …
The Years of War, 1814-1819
- During the period from 1814 to 1819, Venezuela was devastated by roving royalist and patriot armies that fought one another and occasionally amongst themselves. Patriot leaders such as Manuel Piar, José Antonio Páez, and Simón Bolivar did not necessarily acknowledge one another's authority, leading to a lack of a coherent battle plan to free Venezuela. In 1817, Bolívar had Piar …
Bolívar Crosses The Andes and The Battle of Boyaca
- In early 1819, Bolívar was cornered in western Venezuela with his army. He was not powerful enough to knock out the Spanish armies, but they were not strong enough to defeat him, either. He made a daring move: he crossed the frosty Andeswith his army, losing half of it in the process, and arrived in New Granada (Colombia) in July of 1819. New Granada had been relatively untouc…
The Battle of Carabobo
- Alarmed Spanish officers in Venezuela called for a cease-fire, which was agreed to and lasted until April of 1821. Patriot warlords back in Venezuela, such as Mariño and Páez, finally smelled victory and began to close in on Caracas. Spanish General Miguel de la Torre combined his armies and met the combined forces of Bolívar and Páez at the Battle of Carabobo on June 24, …
After The Battle of Carabobo
- With the Spanish finally driven off, Venezuela began putting itself back together. Bolívar had formed the Republic of Gran Colombia, which included present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. The republic lasted until about 1830 when it fell apart into Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador (Panama was part of Colombia at the time). General Páez was the main leader behind …
Napoleon Invades Spain
Venezuela: Ready For Independence
- Venezuela was ripe for Independence long before other South American regions. Venezuelan Patriot Francisco de Miranda, a former general in the French Revolution, led a failed attempt to start a revolution in Venezuela in 1806, but many approved of his actions. Young firebrand leaders like Simón Bolívar and José Félix Ribas were actively speaking of...
Napoleonic Spain and The Colonies
- In January of 1809, a representative of the Joseph Bonaparte government arrived in Caracas and demanded that taxes continue to be paid and that the colony recognize Joseph as their monarch. Caracas, predictably, exploded: people took to the streets declaring loyalty to Ferdinand. A ruling junta was proclaimed and Juan de Las Casas, the Captain-General of Venezuela, was deposed. …
April 19, 1810
- On April 17, 1810, however, news reached Caracas that the government loyal to Ferdinand had been crushed by Napoleon. The city erupted into chaos once more. Patriots who favored full independence and royalists loyal to Ferdinand could agree on one thing: they would not tolerate French rule. On April 19, Creole patriots confronted the new Captain-General Vicente Emparán a…
Provisional Independence
- The elite of Caracas agreed on a provisional independence from Spain: they were rebelling against Joseph Bonaparte, not the Spanish crown, and would mind their own affairs until Ferdinand VII was restored. Still, they made some quick decisions: they outlawed enslavement, exempted Indigenous People from paying tribute, reduced or removed trade barriers, and decided to send …
Legacy of The April 19 Movement
- The result of the Act of Independence was immediate. All over Venezuela, cities and towns decided either to follow Caracas' lead or not: many cities chose to remain under Spanish rule. This led to fighting and a de facto Civil War in Venezuela. A Congress was called in early 1811 to solve the bitter fighting among Venezuelans. Although it was nominally loyal to Ferdinand - the officia…
Sources
- Harvey, Robert. Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for IndependenceWoodstock: The Overlook Press, 2000.
- Lynch, John. The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1986.
- Lynch, John. Simon Bolivar: A Life. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2006.