SIMON BOLIVAR: THE

INDEPENDENCE OF
VENEZUELA
BY: SOPHIA ELIAS
 SIMON BOLIVARS BACKGROUND

Born on July 24, 1783 in Caracas,Venezuela

His parents died at a very young age
His uncle sent him to Spain at the age of 15
where he received an excellent education
In 1799, he stopped in Mexico City and met
with the viceroy of New Spain where he
discussed confidently his argument for
Spanish American Independence Simon Bolivar
 EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INDEPENDENCE

He witnessed the proclamation of Napoleon

Bonaparte as Emperor of France
Bolivar reacts negatively to Napoleons betrayal of
the ideas of the French Revolution and the
republican ideals
On a trip through Europe with his friend and tutor,
Simon Rodriguez, made a vow to never rest until
Napoleon Bonaparte
South America was free from Spanish rule.
 THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE

In the late 18th century, the relationships between the Spanish and
Portuguese monarchies and their corresponding colonies in the
Americas becomes strained

Modernizing reforms, rebellions and wars are beginning in Europe

The invasion of Spain by Napoleon in 1808 triggers the struggle for
Latin Americans independence from Spain

Due to Bonaparte taking over the monarch in Spain, it became

unclear who had reign over the Americas

Spanish and Portuguese America in 1780

 THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE CONTINUES

Frustration of those living in the American colonies

builds as they watch the wealth and prosperity from the
trade monopolies go to the wealthy Spanish landowners
and monarchs
Bolivar returns to Venezuela in 1808 from Spain and
becomes a leader of the Patriotic Society of Caracas
This party becomes responsible for numerous revolts
that results in the Independence of Venezuela
Bolivar participates in conspiratorial meetings which
aided in the Spanish governor being removed from
Conspiratorial meeting
power and ejected from Venezuela in 1810
VENEZUELAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT
CONTINUES
Bolivar goes on a mission to England to make his case for
their support and arms
He persuades Francisco de Miranda to return to Caracas
and take command of the independence movement
He delivers a powerful speech at the national congress
meeting in Caracas and after long deliberation, the
national assembly declared Venezuelas independence on
July 5, 1811

Francisco de Miranda
 BOLIVARS LIBERATION MOVEMENT OUTCOME

Bolivar flees to New Granada to avoid prison

Venezuelas First Republic falls and Bolivar spends the
next few years fighting to gain back its independence

Years later he was successful in liberating New

Granada, Ecuador, Peru and Upper Peru which the
new country chose to be called Bolivia after Bolivar

He was instrumental in abolishing slavery in

Venezuela
Became known as the Liberator

A map of Gran Colombia showing the 12 departments created in 1824

BOLIVARS IDEALS

He constantly pressed congress to decree abolition

One of the first modern leaders of a national liberation movement
His ambition was to unite not divide
Dreamed of the day when America would come together in a league of nations
 CONCLUSION

Bolivar represented equality and liberty

He helped to abolish slavery in Venezuela
He was a well known general in the Spanish American Wars of Independence
He assembled an American army drawn from many parts of the continent to help liberate countries such
as Venezuela, Peru, New Granada, and Ecuador

The fight for

Independence
WORK CITED

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simon-Bolivar
http://www.historytoday.com/john-lynch/simon-bolivar-and-spanish-revolutions
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/liberators/bolivar.htm