Venezuela Prologue

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History

The Venezuelan revolution is usually referred to as the Bolivarian Revolution becasue of it's leader Simon Bolivar.  He was a latin American revolutionary leader in the early 19th century.  The main goal in this revolution were to have popular democracy, economic independence, and to endcorruption in Venezueal.  Venezuela was claimed by Spanish explorers who were searching for slaves to serve the Spanish settlers in Hispanola and Cuba. The first actual exploration of Venezuela started in 1528 when Venezuela's administration was given over to the Wesler banking house by Charles I as a repayment for the banking house's support during the religious wars in the 1700s.  Venezuela had not always been paid attention to by the Spanish monarchy as other locations had been. But in the late 1700’s Spain wanted to reverse its decline in America and Europe. So they forced extensive political and administrative reforms which set up independence movements that would soon come full circle. Venezuela had had many unsuccessful uprising attempts, however, under Francisco de Miranda, Venezuela declared independence on July 5, 1811.

The Venezuelan Flag and Crest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela

By 1823, he had conquered the entire royalist army or had forced them to surrender. In 1822, Gran Colombia consisting of Venezuela, New Granada, and Quito was declared. Although, when Bolivar’s power started to decrease, Gran Colombia started to split. In 1830, Venezuela was then proclaimed an independent republic. But from 1830 to 1935 Venezuela suffered under caudillismo. These rulers were mostly corrupt and incompetent of ruling. Because of them, Venezuela was put into more wars, like the series of battles that took place in the Federal Wars from 1859-1863. Although, Guzman Blanco attempted to restore the country, after he was gone, more caudillos followed him, ruling just as bad as the ones before.

Similarities to Cane Brinton's "Anatomy of a Revolution"

Timeline

1783 Jul 24, Simon Bolivar was born in Caracas, Venezuela.

1806 Inauspicious beginning of Independence movements in the northern regions of Spanish South America "Timeline Venezuela." Timelines of History, Today in History, World History. Web. 03 Dec. 2009.

1810 [April 19] Spanish Governor Vincente Emparan overthrown

1811 Start of Bolivar War, commonly know as, the Venezuelan War of Independence --> war fought for liberation of what is today Venezuela .

1819 May 23, Bolivar’s revolutionary commanders met in the deserted village of Setenta, Venezuela, and planned a march across the Andes to attack Spanish forces in New Granada, Colombia. 1821 Jun 24, Battle of Carabobo: Bolivar defeated the royalists outside of Caracas.

1822 May 24, At Battle of Pichincha, Ecuador. General Antonio Sucre wins against Spanish forces. Shortly after the battle, Sucre and Bolivar entered the newly-liberated Quito and Sucre was named President of the Province of Quito, which formed Gran Colombia with Venezuela and Colombia

1823 Final victory- royal troops surrendered at Puerto Cabello. This marks the end of the  Venezuelan War of Independence .

1828 The Republic of Gran Colombia fell apart due to political rivalries between its constituent provinces. Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela became independent countries.

1830 Consencus that made republic disintigrated due to political tensions among ruling elite

1830 Páez becomes first president of Venezuela

1830 Venezula seceeds from Gran Columbia

1830 Dec. 17, Simon Bolivar dies of Tuberculosis

1834 Santiago Marino is beacon of hope for lower class by being a candidate in election

1835 Revolution breaks out in Maracaibo and Carcay in June/July

1835 Vargas elected president of Venezuela.

1839 Páez president again in 1839 and dictator in 1846