International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest

Extract

Simón Bolívar was a central character in the Hispanic American movements for independence against Spanish colonial domination. “The Liberator,” as he was called after his victories over royalist forces in today's Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia, became the first president of the Great Colombian Republic (Gran Colombia) in 1821. While his thinking and struggle for independence, liberty, and unity profoundly influenced the political development of contemporary Latin America, the historical interpretation of his life and ideas is a subject of historical disputes and ideological conflicts even today. Simón Bolívar, ca. 1820, called El Libertador (the Liberator). He is credited with helping South America achieve independence from Spain, specifically the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia, where he is canonized in the culture and political mythology. (Getty Images) Bolívar was born on July 25, 1783 in Caracas to an aristocratic Creole family. After the early death of his parents, Bolívar was educated by liberal teachers Andrés Bello (1781–1865) and Simón Rodríguez (1769–1854). Bolívar's ideals, such as a free and popular education system, were greatly influenced by the revolutionary pedagogue Rodríguez, who was an enthusiastic disciple of Rousseau . Bolívar and Rodríguez met up again in Europe, where the two made the acquaintance ... log in or subscribe to read full text