This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“Despite all this, he was a highly
imperfect man. He could be impulsive,
headstrong, filled with contradictions.
He spoke eloquently about justice, but wasn’t always able to mete it out
in the chaos of revolution. His romantic
life had a way of spilling into the public realm. He had trouble accepting criticism and had no
patience for disagreements. He was
singularly incapable of losing gracefully at cards. It is hardly surprising that, over the years,
Latin Americans have learned to accept human imperfections in their
leaders. Bolívar taught them how.” –
Marie Arana, Chapter 1: The Road to Bogotá, Page 4
“For many in Bolívar’s circle, this was the moment they had
prayed for – a chance to seize the reigns and shape their economic
destinies. They gathered eagerly to form
a local junta and, at least outwardly, profess loyalty to Ferdinand. But Bolívar demurred. His convictions about independence were
absolute; he had little patience for those who would take up the banner of
liberty while pledging allegiance to a king.” – Marie Arana, Chapter 4:
Building a Revolution, Page 80
“Indeed, Bolívar needed all the help he could get. He had barely been able to equip his soldiers. No arms were manufactured in Venezuela and, although Bolívar was seizing lead, sulfur, and coal in order to forge bullets and make gunpowder, all guns and munitions had to be purchased from elsewhere. This was no easy venture in a world reeling from Napoleon’s wars. Britian had outlawed the arms trade, and the United States – aspiring to purchase Florida from Spain – categorically refused to sell arms to Spanish American rebels. Bolívar was forced to buy illegally from merchant ships, and he welcomed Caribbean captains and businessmen to help him do it. This shortage of guns would have dire effects on the war for independence; some historians claim it was a decisive factor in the second republic’s demise.”
Is This An Overview?
Even before Simón Bolívar was born, Spain was increasing how
much control Spain had over the colonies.
Spain restricted political offices, increased taxes, monopolized
production of various products, and monopolized trade with foreign states. Spain restricted the flow of information to
the colonies to keep them ignorant, to prevent the colonies from considering
alternatives to Spain. The colonies were
prohibited from communicating with each other, which disabled collaborative
efforts. The income Spain derived from
the colonies was not used to improve the conditions in the colonies, nor was
the income spent on the public of Spain.
As the repression of Latin American people grew, so did the
people’s willingness for independence.
Attempts at independence were made before Bolívar, without success. Bolívar’s first attempt at a republic in
Latin America came when France conquered Spain.
Although the first, and second of Bolívar’s attempt at removing the
oppressive Spanish regime failed, the third was successful. With each attempt, Bolívar gained experience
and learned from failures. Bolívar’s
actions gained the people’s approval, becoming the Liberator. Throughout the conflicts, Bolívar’s forces
were generally underequipped, lacked supplies, and were inexperienced. For all the deficiencies of the armed forces,
Bolívar was still able to overcome the Spanish.
Bolívar wanted a united Latin America, but that was not to
be. Various people had betrayed
Bolívar. Regional politicians had their
own personal ambitions, and began to denounce Bolívar. Bolívar’s desire for a unified Latin American
people required an authoritarian regime, for Latin Americans lacked the
experience to govern themselves. Bolívar
became seen less as Liberator, and more as a king. Even though Bolívar did not want the
power. Political competition and
corruption prevented the unification of the people.
What Was The Latin American Experience With Slavery And
Race?
Although the Spanish monarchy did not appreciate the
atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus and other conquistadors, they
accepted slavery as a method to make the people work. To the monarchy, slavery was needed to keep
the economy functioning. Spanish people
killed many Latin Americans, to the point of needing to import African slaves
to compensate for the damage.
Although Spanish and natives were mixing, there was a
psychology of superiority. Strict race
dominance was developed. It was better
to be Spanish than indigenous Indian, and a culture of defining the different
race mixes. The penalty for being
Indian, was to be forced to purchase food from the government, food that was
often in poor condition. Indians were forced
to buy products they did not need for the government to acquire gold and
silver. Indians were forced to provide
labor or taxes as tribute. With
persecution based on race, came various violent race related events.
What Was Bolívar’s Love Life?
Bolívar fell in love with María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro in
Spain. Their marriage was short, as María
died shortly after arriving in Venezuela.
After María’s death, Bolívar traveled abroad. Traveled to Paris were the idea of a person
changing the course of a state’s identity took place. Also traveled to the United States and
witnessed how a former colony could quickly become a commercialized state.
Bolívar was a measured hedonist. Revolution was often mixed with pleasure,
especially with Manuela Sáenz, who Bolívar fell in love with. Bolívar hedonistic aspects at times created
conflict with the armed forces. Manuela later
on joined the armed forces to be near Bolívar, to make sure Bolívar did not cause
harm to their relationship. On some of
the assassination attempts on Bolívar, Manuela saved Bolívar’s life.
What Was Bolívar First Attempt At A Republic?
France’s conquest of Spain gave the Spanish colonies the
chance to gain their independence, and shape their own political and economic
policies. There were a variety of views
as how to express their sovereignty, such as those who wanted sovereignty while
expressing public loyalty to Spain. Many
people in the colonies had personal ties to Spain. Bolívar was someone who wanted sovereignty
without any limitations. Various states did
declared independence, declared their sovereignty, in the name of the king of
Spain. The colonies removed the Spanish
officials.
Bolívar stayed away from the initial 1809 conflicts of independence,
thinking that the revolution would be a failure due to the restraint. As the independence movement seemed
successful, Bolívar became a diplomate, for a mission to London. The junta were cautious of Bolívar, but they lacked
funds and Bolívar was willing to finance them.
In London, Bolívar tried to convince Miranda to lead the
revolution. Miranda was someone who
tried to gain independence for Spanish colonies before. Bolívar and Miranda had disagreements, but
appeared everywhere together. Miranda
did join Bolívar, and Bolívar enabled Miranda to occupy a government
position. Bolívar assisted Miranda in a
variety of ways. Although Bolívar supported Miranda, as Miranda became a
commander, Miranda wanted Bolívar removed from a commanding officer post.
The problem with Venezuela’s new republic, was the distribution
of power. The officials claimed to be a
full democracy, but the only people eligible to vote were property owners. Enabling the perpetuation of the class
structure, as power was handed to the rich.
At this time, ignorance was endemic as Spain discouraged
education. Preventing people from
understanding what liberty meant. The
people were divided by loyalty and race.
The military lacked experience, discipline, and arms.
What caused the revolution to fail was an earthquake in
Caracas. An earthquake which the Church claimed
was punishment for the insurrection.
Although Miranda accepted a dictatorship to unite the people, Miranda
did not encourage military confrontations as Miranda did not think that
independence was possible. As Spain was
regaining control, and under threat of potential civil war, Miranda made a pact
with Spain. Miranda surrendered, and
tried to fee. To Bolívar and others,
these and other acts made Miranda seem like a traitor.
Many revolutionary leaders were sent to prison. Bolívar was saved by Iturbe. After the escape, Bolívar had become an
experienced revolutionary, who was humbled by defeat.
What Was Bolívar Second Attempt At A Republic?
A few months after the failed Venezuelan revolution, Bolívar
made plans and set out for another revolution.
Using people that society left behind.
Bolívar trained and took care of the people. Made victories using guerrilla tactics, and
continued to proceed on the offensive. Many
towns were freed before Bolívar’s arrival as the Spanish officials feared Bolívar’s
troops. The people being liberated, were
interested in liberating their own people and land. They had little interest in liberating other
people and lands.
Bolívar signed a decree of war to the death, as a
retaliatory measure. A form of
recrimination for the Spanish want to exterminate the republicans. The decree was meant to support the republican
troops, but had the effect of enabling violence. Even with the decree, Bolívar allowed for a
peaceful surrender, to show mercy.
Bolívar’s success at overcoming Spanish forces using less
people and supplies, eared Bolívar the title of Dictator and Liberator. Two reasons for the failed second attempt at
a republic, were race and lack of weapons.
Spain used race to divide the people.
Black, Indian, and mixed-blood accepted Spanish claims that it was the
Creoles who were responsible for their misery, without understanding that it
was the Spanish who made the Creole miserable who then oppressed others. Race conflicts became civil war.
The new enemy had become the llaneros. Llaneros had a massive force, were undisciplined,
and lawless. Their apparent goal was plunder. The people and regions were divided by people
who proclaimed themselves supreme commanders.
Bolívar was faced with betrayal, traps, and Spain regaining the
empire. Spain wanted the colonies back
and waged a war against democracy. Bolívar
was exiled by supposed allies, and fled to Haiti to avoid a trap in
Cartagena.
What Was Bolívar Third Attempt At A Republic?
Bolívar had difficulty uniting the people and leaders for
the cause of the revolution. Warlords
had taken charge of Venezuela. Although
Bolívar lacked power and the armies of the warlords, the warlords did not have
Bolívar’s reputation with the people.
Bolívar wanted to build alliances with Piar, Monagas, Zaraza, and Cedeño.
This attempt at a unified republic created a need for
establishing courts and due process in response to events that caused political
turmoil. While Spain tried to keep
Americans ignorant, Bolívar made sure that Americans were informed. The information gave Bolívar and the
revolution recognition by foreign powers.
With foreign recognition, came supplies and foreign troops. Supplies and troops did not stop many of the
people in the army from deserting due to hunger.
As Bolívar was getting older and had health complications, Bolívar
wanted someone to become a younger version of Bolívar. That someone was Sucre.
What Happened To Bolívar’s Desire Of A United Latin
America?
Bolívar did not want to be a politician. Bolívar’s goal was to remove the
oppressors. Although many regions
favored a federalist system, Bolívar did not approve a federal system as there
was too much division between the regions.
Division that needed a unified government to overcome. Another reason for an authoritarian
government was a consequence of colonial rule, Bolívar did not think that Latin
Americans could rule themselves due to lack of experience. Bolívar feared that illiterate masses would
destroy order.
Bolívar wanted a republic and authoritarian regime, by
having a president appointed for life.
The president would be powerless to appoint legislature government or
courts. The appointment was powerful,
and would be in perpetuity given that the president would influence who would
be the successor.
The problem was that the Bolívar’s idealism for a united
Latin America and want for an authoritarian regime made people think that Bolívar
wanted to be a king. Bolívar gradually
was seen less as a Liberator, and more as a king. Bolívar did not actually want to be king, but
these claims were in contrast to what people thought of Bolívar.
Political corruption and competition for power caused
regional leaders to denounce Bolívar.
Trusted allies turned against Bolívar.
Caveats?
The organization of the book can
limit an understanding of the details.
Various details are provided on the events, that can create a confusion
for the sequence of events. As the book
focuses on the complexity of Bolívar’s life, the interest in the different
aspects depends on the reader.
