El Libertador: Writings of Simón Bolívar

simón bolívar fred fornoff david bushnell

General Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), called El Liberator, and sometimes the "George Washington" of Latin America, was the leading hero of the Latin American independence movement. His victories over Spain won independence for Bolivia, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Bolívar became Columbia's first president in 1819. In 1822, he became dictator of Peru. Upper Peru became a separate state, which was named Bolivia in Bolívar's honor, in 1825. The constitution, which he drew up for Bolivia, is one of his most important political pronouncements. Today he is remembered throughout South America, and in Venezuela and Bolivia his birthday is a national holiday.

Although Bolívar never prepared a systematic treatise, his essays, proclamations, and letters constitute some of the most eloquent writing not of the independence period alone, but of any period in Latin American history. His analysis of the region's fundamental problems, ideas on political organization and proposals for Latin American integration are relevant and widely read today, even among Latin Americans of all countries and of all political persuasions. The "Cartagena Letter," the "Jamaica Letter," and the "Angostura Address," are widely cited and reprinted.

Genres historypolitics19th century

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2003

This edition

Format: 288 pages, Paperback
Published: May 15, 2003 by Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780195144819
ASIN: 0195144813
Language: English

About the author

simón bolívar

South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar, known as "the Liberator," defeated the Spanish in 1819; made president of greater Colombia, including now Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador, he helped from 1823 to Peru and Bolivia.

Antonio José de Sucre fought with Simón Bolívar to liberate Ecuador and Peru.

From the empire, Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios of common military and politics, together with José de San Martín, played a key role in successful Latin struggle for independence.

Following the triumph over the monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of the first named union of independent Latin nations.

People regard Simón Bolívar as a Latin hero and visionary. During his short life, he brought independence and lay the foundations for much Hispanic democratic ideology. For this reason, people often refer or compare him with George Washington.