Childhood: Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, or also known as Simon Bolivar was born on July 24th, 1783. He was an a descendant of the Basque people, which were largely independent until around the 19th century. He was also born into a wealthy family that owned gold mines and many acres of land. He was the youngest of four siblings. He had two sister and one brother. His father, Juan Vicente Bolivar y Ponte, was a colonel before Simon was born. His mother was Concepcion Palacios Blanco. Simon Bolivar lost his parents at a young age. His father died when he was three and his mother died six years later. This forced him to move in with his uncle and continue his studies in Spain in 1799. Through all of this, he was still very good in the military field. By age 15, he was promoted to a second lieutenant. He combined military studies with his educational studies. In Spain, Simon met a girl named Maria Teresa Rodriguez del Toro y Alaysa and married her three years later. However unfortunately, on returning to Venezuela, she contracted the yellow fever and died in 1803. Military Life: A year after his wife's death, Simon Bolivar returned to Europe to overcome his grief and mourn. In Europe, he had created a small acquaintance with Napoleon Bonaparte. However, he soon started to go against him after Bonaparte had, in Simon's eyes, betrayed his republican ideals. Bonaparte also named his older brother, Joseph Bonaparte, king of Spain and other Spanish colonies. This caused the many Spanish nations to lose their freedom, including Venezuela. Simon Bolivar became aware of this and started to take action. In 1810, Bolivar went to England to try and gain protection in case the French tried to attack their countries. The British did not give them any help in return. They only promised that they would be neutral. Bolivar managed to recruit a man named Francisco de Miranda, who was at the time a great military leader and today recognized as Bolivar's main helper to liberating a large portion of South America. In 1811, Simon Bolivar spoke to the Patriotic Society, or Junta, focusing on the independence of Venezuela. He had previously known the group because he joined and became one of the leaders, which started many revolts. On July 5th, 1811, the Junta declared independence for Venezuela, however leaving the non- whites with very little rights. in 1812, a Spanish force helped to combat against the republican army. The republican army soon surrendered and Simon Bolivar had to leave to avoid being locked up in prison. In 1813, Bolivar returned to Venezuela and declared a "War to Death" against Spain. He wanted the creoles to choose between freedom or slavery for them. He created a second republic and declared himself as military dictator. This however fell in a period of months and he fled to Jamaica in 1815 after a short return to New Granada. A year passed and Bolivar was still determined to free Southern America. On September 6th, 1815, he wrote a letter to Jamaica expressing his opinions on how to free South America. Bolivar then teamed up with Jose de San Martin and came up with the plan of taking territories that are vulnerable to being lost already and gain strength from their territory. So in 1817, Bolivar returned to Venezuela and took over the town Angostura. Bolivar strategically took over this land because it would give him assistance by the sea and also give him a path to the center of the country. Bolivar gained support from the llaneros, who were like spanish cowboys back then. He also gained assistance from many different ethnic groups such as the Indians and Africans. Four years passed and Bolivar starts what could be one of the most important journeys in spanish history. He would cross the Andes mountains and central plains during their spring season and make a surprise attack on Bogota. This trip started on May 26th, 1819. Many men died from diseases, hunger and dehydration just crossing the plains. When they crossed the Andes mountains, more than 1,000 men died and many of their horses had died as well. On August 7th, they were caught up in a battle between Bolivar's army and the army of Boyaca. Although they were outnumbered by a large margin, they miraculously won the battle against Boyaca. This caused the Spanish army in Bogata to flee and Bolivar took over the land. This battle freed New Granada and Gran Columbia, or present day Columbia, Ecuador and Panama. In 1821, Bolivar fought in the battle of Carabobo and defeated them. The city of Caracas fell a couple of days later, which gave Venezuela their freedom from Spanish rulership. He was named Gran Columbia's president shortly after in 1824. Death: Simon Bolivar died December 17th, 1830. He served as president of Venezuela until his death. |
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