Simon Bolivar: El Libertador

Braden Neal

Deborah Gill

Spanish 131Y

19 November 2014 Simon Bolivar: El Libertador He is known as America’s second Washington. El Libertador, Simon Bolivar, is one of the most famous men in Latin American history. Liberator of 6 countries from tyrannical Spain’s rule, he was instrumental in then forming the political sphere of Latin America later in his life. It is surprising then that most people outside of Latin America have never heard of Bolivar. Leading some of the greatest military feats in history, Bolivar deserves to be known. Because of his prestigious upbringing and education in the early years of his life, his valiant efforts in leading the revolutionaries to independence, and his political career of becoming one of the most powerful

By 1810 the Caracas city council deposed the viceroyalty from the city. The council sent Bolivar to Europe to gain support from Great Britain in recognizing them as a free country. It is here where he met former revolutionary upstart Francisco de Miranda, whom he convinced to return to America with him and lead the revolutionaries against the Spanish forces.

In 1811 a national congress met in Caracas. Bolivar was not a delegate, but he did deliver a speech saying, “Let us lay the cornerstone of American freedom without fear. To hesitate is to perish.”(cite) the first republic was declared July 5th, 1811, making Venezuela the first colony to break free from Spanish rule. Bolivar, ecstatic at the revolutionary proclamation, freed his slaves from captivity. This shows his great dedication to the cause and his true political philosophies, living up to them even more than the famous founders of the United States.

This signals the beginning of Bolivar’s military career. Being made lieutenant colonel under Miranda’s command, Bolivar distinguished himself in the war. However, his relationship with Miranda soured. The indecisiveness of Miranda that cost the revolutionaries several victories caused Bolivar to hold feelings of resentment towards his commanding

They revolutionaries finally had the upper hand. The Spanish began to evacuate New Granada and formerly neutral support from the populace turned in favor of the revolutionaries.

Bolivar had done the impossible. He had liberated New Granada from the Spanish. Few men with the little training such as Bolivar could have pulled this off. This shows how natural of a military leader he was. With tactical prowess rivaling great leaders such as the likes of Hannibal during the Roman times, he is a man of might that has too few and far been seen in the worlds history.

With the victory at Boyaca came the union of Venezuela and New Granada, making Bolivar president and military commander. Afterwards and armistice between the revolutionaries and the Spanish was signed, giving the patriots some breathing room. Bolivar used this time to build up his forces and prepare for the liberation of the remaining territories still held by Spain. He would not rest until the Spanish were defeated indefinitely and his fellow countrymen were liberated. After the Armistice had concluded in 1821, the conflict