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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Simon Bolivar Biography BOLÍVAR, SIMÓN or BOLÍVAR Y PONTE, (1783-1830). A South American patriot, called the "Liberator." He was born in Caracas, July 2, 1783, of a noble and wealthy family. After studying law in Madrid, he traveled extensively on the Continent, married, and returned to his native country, where his wife died. He then revisited Europe and in 1809 returned by way of the United States, where he became an enthusiastic admirer of republican institutions and resolved to free his own country from foreign despotism. Arriving at Venezuela, he at once associated himself with a secret organization of the patriots there; and after the insurrection of Carácas, April 19, 1810, he was sent to London to gain the interest of the British Cabinet. The British government, however, declared its neutrality, and Bolívar speedily returned. He fought under General Miranda in several successful engagements. In 1812 the Spaniards recovered possession of Venezuela, and Bolívar fled to Curaçao. He did not, however, remain long inactive, but won the sympathy of the republican President of New Granada, raised a force of volunteers, defeated the Spaniards several times, his army increasing with each victory; and on Aug. 4, 1813, entered Carácas as a conqueror. He was hailed as the liberator of Venezuela and made absolute dictator in civil and military affairs. After defeating the Spaniards in several engagements, he was himself beaten in the battles of La Puerta and Aragua. He now went to Cartagena and afterward to Kingston, in Jamaica. In Haiti he assembled the insurgent refugees, landed (December, 1816) on the island of Margarita, where he convoked a congress, instituted a government, and proclaimed the abolition of slavery. The following two years were marked by successes over the Spanish general, Morillo. In February, 1819, a congress was opened at Angostura and Bolívar, chosen President, was armed with the power of dictator. He conducted his forces over the almost impassable Cordilleras to New Granada, and achieved the victories of Tunja and Sojaca. Soon afterward (in 1819) New Granada united with Venezuela as the Republic of Colombia, of which he became the first President. By 1822 the new republic was completely cleared of Royalist troops. Bolívar was summoned the same year to help the Peruvians, and in February, 1824, was named Dictator of Peru. By 1825 the Spaniards were driven from Peru also; and Bolivar, calling a congress at Lima, formally resigned the dictatorship. The southern part of the country, which had detached itself from the government of Buenos Aires, was erected into a separate state and named Bolivia (q.v.), of which he was chosen perpetual protector. A form of government suggested by him was adopted by Bolivia in 1826. Widespread dissatisfaction in Colombia, where, in spite of considerable opposition, he was confirmed in the presidency in 1826 and 1828, led to a conspiracy against his life, which was suppressed by the execution of the leaders and banishment of 70 accomplices. In 1829 Venezuela separated itself from the Republic of Colombia, which was generally disturbed by factions. Bolívar's ambition was loudly denounced, and, virtually forced to resign, he retired to Cartagena. He died at San Pedro, Dec. 10, 1830, having shortly before his death written a farewell address to the people of Colombia, in which he vindicated his character, from the aspersions that had been cast on it and complained bitterly of ingratitude. The war of liberation and the peculiar elements with which he had to deal compelled him to assume dictatorial power; but there is no proof that he was ever insincere in his devotion to liberty. He spent 90 per cent of his fine patrimony in the service of his country, and although for a long time he had absolute control of the resources of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, he never made any private use of public moneys. He has been described as the Washington of South America. By a resolution of the Congress of Colombia in 1842, his ashes were removed with great pomp from Santa Marta to Carácas, where a monument was erected to his memory. In 1846 Bogota built a statue in his honor; and the Peruvians followed suit with an equestrian statue erected in Lima in 1858. A statue of Bolívar was erected in Central Park, New York, 1884. Twenty-two volumes of official documents connected with the career of Bolívar were published by the government at Caracas in 1826-33, and his correspondence, in two volumes, at New York in 1865. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. III (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 476-477. |