Simon Bolivar:The George Washington of South America

Early Life

• Simón Bolívar was a South American soldier who was instrumental in the revolutions against the Spanish empire.

• Simón José Antonio de la Santísma Trinidad Bolívar y

Palacios was born on July 24, 1783 in Caracas, New

Granada (now Venezuela). Bolívar was born into a

prosperous family, who took their money from rich

gold and copper mines they owned in Venezuela.

Simon Bolivar

Painting circa

1800

‘El Libertador’

• The resistance group based in Caracas gained independence in 1810, and Bolívar traveled to Britain on a diplomatic mission. The fight for control of Caracas, Venezuela and most of South American continued on back home.

• Finally, Bolívar returned to Venezuela and began a campaign to wrest control of that country from the Spanish. He and his followers invaded Venezuela on May 14, 1813; this marked the beginning of his "CompanaAdmirable," (Admirable Campaign) which resulted in the formation of the Venezuelan Second Republic later that year. Bolívar was hailed as El Libertador (The Liberator).

Successful Rebellion from Spain• Following the triumph over the

Spanish monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of the first union of independent nations in Hispanic-America, a republic, now known as Gran Colombia, of which he was president from 1819 to 1830. During his lifetime, he led Venezuela, Colombia (including Panama at the time), Ecuador, Peru (together with Don José de San Martín), and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire. Admirers claim that he helped lay the foundations for democracy in much of Latin America.

Monuments in Many NationsCaracas,

Venezuela

Paris, France

Santa Marta, Colombia

Sofia,

Bulgaria

The nations of Bolivia and the

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

(Venezuela) are named after

Bolívar.

Most cities and towns in Venezuela

and Colombia have a bust or

statue of Bolívar. The capital cities

in Ecuador, Peru, Panama and

Bolivia also have busts and/or

statues of Bolívar.

A short video of his life.

• http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=23434

• Take 8 video questions at the end of your notes on the video I show you about Simon Bolivar. The video is on Safari Montage.