REVOLUTIONARIES & ROYALISTS
SIMÓN BOLÍVAR
1783-1830 “THE GEORGE WASHINGTON OF SOUTH AMERICA”
Born in Caracas, Bolívar was technically one of the elites of colonial Venezuela and his family were wealthy aristocrats of full Spanish descent. As befitting his social rank, Bolívar was educated in Europe where he became steeped in Enlightenment ideals. Ironically, this led him to become a fervent revolutionary and he openly praised the American and French revolutions.
After witnessing the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte, Bolívar recognised the importance of one man who could change history and vowed to free Venezuela from Spanish rule. Although he was personally courageous, Bolívar’s fortunes varied wildly from battlefield victories to defeats and two exiles. Nevertheless, his determination always meant that he bounced back.
From 1816 Bolívar’s
