Simon Bolivar
	Civilization:	Hispanic: Venezuela
	Era:	South America
1783–1830	Field of Renown:	military: General

Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar was the central figure in the liberation of the northern regions of South America. The independent republics of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia all regard him as a founding father. Ironically, his vision for a liberated South America was not independent republics, but rather, a South American federation that he patterned after the United States of America. Because of regional politics, however, this was never a realistic option. Although Bolivar himself was a patriot of noble intentions, many of the other "patriot" leaders of the age were mere warlords who fought primarily for their own aggrandizement.

Bolivar was born to an aristocratic family that had been settled in Venezuela for over 200 years. He went to Spain to complete his education and there married a beautiful bride with whom he was much smitten. She died after only a year, however, and he never remarried. In later life he credited this tragedy for his zeal for revolutionary activities. In the next few years, Bolivar became a follower of Napoleon and the republican principles he embodied. However, when Napoleon appointed his brother as king of Spain, Bolivar became disillusioned and returned to Venezuela to work for South American Independence.

The patriot leader at that time was Miranda, a Venezuelan who had been active in both the American and French Revolutions. He had attempted a revolution in 1806 but it failed, and as a result, he lived in exile. Miranda's revolutionary fervor remained and in 1811 he returned and Venezuela declared its independence. This revolution was also short lived, and Miranda was arrested by the Spanish.

At this point Bolivar rose as the new patriot leader. He had some successes over the next year, but just as many setbacks, and by 1815 took refuge in Haiti. Two years later he returned to South American and resumed his revolutionary activities. The turning point of his career was the winter march over the Andes followed by a great victory at Boyaca. This put him within striking distance of Bogota, the capital of modern day Columbia, and caused a great sensation both within and outside South America. From this point on, Bolivar became a romantic hero of legendary proportions, and his charismatic leadership did much to disguise the underlying political turmoil of the situation.

The main problem Bolivar faced was that few of his generals shared his vision of a continental republic, guided by liberal principles. They desired to expel the Spaniards, but were more interested in carving up the country for their personal benefit, than instituting a limited federal government. Bolivar was, in essense a dictator, but even so, was not powerful enough to impose his republican vision. With Colombia (then called New Granada) as his base, he suceeded in driving the Royalists out of Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru but even with all of this territory nominally under his control, he failed to institute the political reforms he so desired. A constitutional congress called in 1828 failed to produce any results, and shortly after, he suffered an assassination attempt. The more he pressed his generals to surrender powers to civil authority, the more they incited local rebellions until the became de facto rulers of individual states. In 1830, with failing health, he resigned his authority. He intended to go into exile in Europe, but died before leaving Venezuela.

	Image Links
Bolivar's Entrance into Caracas  in South America - A Popular History	Bolivar on Monte Sacro in South America - A Popular History	Bolivar at the earthquake in Caracas in South America - A Popular History
Simon Bolivar  in Don Jose de San Martin	Simon Bolivar in Simon Bolivar: His Life and His Work	Simon Bolivar in Statesmen and Sages
Simon Bolivar in Stories of South America