The republic of Venezuela celebrates its independence from Spain on two different dates: April 19, when an initial declaration of semi-independence from Spain was signed in 1810, and July 5, when a more definitive break was signed in 1811. Guzmns new liberal newspaper, El Venezolano, demanded abolition of slavery, extension of voting rights, and protection for the debtor classes. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Venezuelan_independence&oldid=1138131080. ThoughtCo. Such an offer is not accepted and the emissary receives as an answer: "Tell the Spanish chief that without a country I don't want a wife." Once the first Republic was over, the main political and military leaders of the Independence went into exile. He made a daring move: hecrossed the frosty Andeswith his army, losing half of it in the process, and arrived in New Granada (Colombia) in July of 1819. On September 24, his wife Luisa Cceres de Arismendi, who was pregnant, is taken hostage to subdue her husband and locked up under surveillance in the house of the Arns family, days later she is transferred to a dungeon of the Castillo Santa Rosa in La Asuncin. The royalist troops were numerically superior to the patriot troops. In this research paper, I will attempt to connect the . On January 8, 1813, he occupied the city of Ocaathe second in importance in Norte de Santander, after Ccutaafter having left the free passage in the Magdalena Medio, thus obtaining the navigation between Bogot and Cartagena. On February 16, he set sail for Ccuta as there was danger due to the presence of Ramn Correa and his royalist forces. She gets hope for a triumph of her own, but at dawn, when all is calm, she hears only the wailing of the dying and wounded from the fray. Jos Flix Ribas, a wealthy young patriot, rode through Caracas, exhorting Creole leaders to come to the meeting taking place in the council chambers. On 3 May 1816, they touch Venezuelan soil on the island of Margarita, where on the 6 May, an assembly headed by General Juan Bautista Arismendi ratifies the special powers conferred to Bolvar in Los Cayos. Herring, Hubert. The Spanish had managed to reconquer the provinces of Coro and Maracaibo, which gave them considerable territory in the west of the country. "Our division and not the Spanish arms turned us to slavery," he had written in his famous Cartagena Manifesto, taking stock of those years. In 1830, New Granada, Venezuela and Quito separated. The Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo also referred to as the Naval Battle of the Lake was a naval battle fought on July 24, 1823, in the waters of Lake Maracaibo in the current state of Zulia, Venezuela. "The Complete Story of Venezuela's Revolution for Independence." This led to fighting and a de facto Civil War in Venezuela. Between the royalists and the earthquake, the young Republic was doomed. On April 19, Creole patriots confronted the new Captain-General Vicente Emparn and demanded self-rule. The government then began to reconstruct the war-torn economy by putting finances in order, establishing firm lines of foreign credit, and amortizing the national debt. In this way he became a pioneer of human rights. It usually covers the years 1808-1830, and it is much related to events in Europe and in other regions of South America, especially Peru and the area of the Ro de la Plata. Opinions on the character of the independence process are not unanimous. Armed only with spears they attacked the battalion Numanciaone of the best Spanish battalionsand managed to disorganize their cadres, forcing them to retreat.[13]. [25] However, the figure of slavery was maintained until 1854 when President Jos Gregorio Monagas eliminated it. In September 1815, Arismendi is ordered to be arrested, he escapes and hides with one of his sons in the Montaas de Copey. The independence of Venezuela was the juridical-political process with the purpose of breaking the ties that existed between the Captaincy General of Venezuela and the Spanish Empire. This resulted in outrage among various sectors opposing said administration. The elections were held between October and November 1810. Although their effort failed, it forewarned of the revolutionary movements that were soon to inflame Latin America. The Congress declared Venezuela's independence on 5 July 1811, establishing the Republic of Venezuela. Rafael Mara Baralt describes him as cruel and bloodthirsty for the application of the law of talion with which he responded to Bolvar's actions. He went to Colombia, where he was given a commission as an officer and a small force. In addition, he abolished ecclesiastical privileges, cut off state subsidies to the Roman Catholic church, proclaimed religious liberty, legalized civil marriage, and also confiscated church properties, exiled the archbishop, and closed the convents. On July 14, in a public and solemn act, this flag was hoisted for the first time. The army of the east, led by Jos Francisco Bermdez made a distraction maneuver advancing on Caracas, La Guaira and the Valles de Aragua that forced La Torre to send about 1000 men against him to recover the positions and secure his rear. With this declaration, Venezuela became the first independent republic of Spanish America, and the fire of that declaration, fueled by external conflict, would spread the ideals of independence throughout all of the lands of Latin America. The resulting patriot victory secured Venezuela's independence, as the Spanish decided they could never pacify and re-take the region. Venezuela was a leader in Latin America's Independence movement. With this declaration, Venezuela became the first independent republic of Spanish America, and the fire of that declaration, fueled by external conflict, would spread the ideals of independence throughout all of the lands of Latin America. ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/independence-from-spain-in-venezuela-2136397. The military situation is complicated by the appearance of Jos Toms Boves, Asturian, who organizes an army that fights on the side of the royalists and revolts the black or mestizo population against the Venezuelan whites, that is to say, those who lead the independence process. That day is celebrated in Venezuela as its national day. On July 5, 1811, the independence declaration is signed. April 19 is known as "Firma Acta de la Independencia" or "Signing of the Act of Independence." He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. The most feared royalist force was the "Infernal Legion" of tough-as-nails plainsmen led by cunning Spaniard Tomas "Taita"Boves, who cruelly executed prisoners and pillaged towns that had formerly been held by the patriots. This remarkable military feat is known as the "Admirable Campaign" for Bolvar's great skill in executing it. She is presented before the captain general of Andalusia, who protests against the arbitrary decision of the Spanish authorities in America and gives her the category of confined, after she pays a bond and commits herself to appear monthly before the judge. Two days later, the matter was resolved when Congress voted to officially declare independence 40-4. Minster, Christopher. With the Spanish finally driven off, Venezuela began putting itself back together. When news reached Caracas that a loyalist Spanish government had been set up in Seville in defiance of Napoleon, things cooled down for a while and Las Casas was able to re-establish control. The following year he returned to Europe, leaving General Joaqun Crespo in charge. Morillo administered the region in a heavy-handed fashion, however, and many of the Creole elites who had initially supported him soon conspired for his defeat. Monteverde withdraws to Puerto Cabello and Bolvar returns to Caracas after sending Urdaneta against Coro. The "Republic of Colombia" is created, which would be governed by a President. New Granada had been relatively untouched by the war, so Bolvar was able to quickly recruit a new army from willing volunteers. Ferdinand VII, theheir to the Spanish crown, was a prisoner of Napoleon of France, who became the de facto (if indirect) ruler of Spain. In the Congress of Valencia were chosen the deputies who met in this city from May 6, 1830, to discuss the dissolution of Gran Colombia, with the separation of Venezuela. The Capital of Gran Colombia would be Bogot. On the 28th of the same month took place what today is known as the Battle of Ccuta, which gave independence to this city. The purpose of the Armistice Treaty was to suspend hostilities in order to facilitate talks between the two sides, with a view to conclude a definitive peace. In the early hours of June 24, from the heights of Buenavista hill, Bolivar made a reconnaissance of the royalist position and concluded that it was impregnable from the front and from the south. The "War to the Death" was practiced by both sides. Although it was nominally loyal to Ferdinand - the official name of the ruling junta was "Junta of conservation of the rights of Ferdinand VII" - the government of Caracas was, in fact, quite independent. For four years after the end of his regime, Venezuela floundered in new political chaos as various civilian political groups tried unsuccessfully to establish responsible representative government. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962. Venezuelas Declaration of Independence in 1810, Biography of Francisco de Miranda, Venezuelan Leader, How Latin America Gained Independence from Spain, Biography of Simon Bolivar, 'Liberator of South America', Biography of Jos Francisco de San Martn, Latin American Liberator, Chile's Independence Day: September 18, 1810, Top Ten Villains of Latin American History, Hugo Chavez Was Venezuela's Firebrand Dictator. In January of 1809, a representative of the Joseph Bonaparte government arrived in Caracas and demanded that taxes continue to be paid and that the colony recognize Joseph as their monarch. The pro-independence army advanced from San Carlos to Tinaco covered by the advance of Colonel Jos Laurencio Silva, who took the royalist positions in Tinaquillo. The white inhabitants had abandoned the city: the houses had been looted and in the streets there were only beggars and corpses. [5] On March 5, 1811, the Supreme Junta of Caracas ceased its functions.[4]. The Declaration lasted until November 26, 1820, when the Spanish general Pablo Morillo met with Bolivar to declare the war of independence as a conventional war. Caracas, predictably, exploded: people took to the streets declaring loyalty to Ferdinand. The elite of Caracas agreed on a provisional independence from Spain: they were rebelling against Joseph Bonaparte, not the Spanish crown, and would mind their own affairs until Ferdinand VII was restored. On July 13, 1811, the flag of Venezuela was approved, which was based on the design made by Francisco de Miranda in 1806. Upon arriving at the site of El Areo, Ribas proceeded to the formation of 2 cavalry columns of 180 men, which received the names of Rompelneas, with Monagas and Zaraza as commanders. Once the retreat was over, the six hundred rejoined the eastern patriot forces under the command of Manuel Piar with renewed confidence. Radicals within the government, such as Simn Bolvar, Jos Flix Ribas, and Francisco de Miranda pushed for unconditional independence and on July 5, 1811, the congress approved it, making Venezuela the first South American nation to formally sever all ties with Spain. In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and put his brother Joseph on the throne, throwing Spain and its colonies into chaos. Bolivar took advantage of the momentary disorder that occurred among the attackers and launched a counterattack, with which he recaptured the "high house". It had up to 600 members in Caracas alone and branches in Barcelona, Barinas, Valencia and Puerto Cabello. Economic reforms, such as restoration of the nations credit by means of new bond issues and generous concessions to foreign investors, gave further evidence of Guzmn Blancos apparent devotion to Liberal Party principles. Colonel Atanasio Girardot joined Simn Bolvar in the so-called Admirable Campaign of the Libertador and fought gallantly at the head of several battalions that managed to occupy the cities of Trujillo and Mrida. In 1874, Venezuelan PresidentAntonio Guzmn Blancoannounced his plans to turn the Holy Trinity Church of Caracas into a national Pantheon to house the bones of the most illustrious heroes of Venezuela. The Capital of Quito would be Quito. For example, in 1811, Venezuela's representatives declared "that these united Provinces are, and ought to be, from this day, by act and right, Free, Sovereign, and Independent States." The Texas declaration of independence (1836) likewise followed the American in listing grievances and claiming freedom and independence. The republicans were defeated due to the lack of coordination among the army. (Historically, it is customary to call the Colombia of the Congress of Angostura. Minster, Christopher. He departed for Europe in 1877, leaving a puppet successor in charge, but when the opposition rebelled, he returned to crush it and resumed the presidency in 1878. These principles were enshrined as a constitutional principle for the new nation and were radically opposed to the political, cultural, and social practices that had existed during three hundred years of colonization. On his way, he defeated an enemy force that was blocking his way at La Aguada. There would be a vice-president who would replace the President in his absence. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Bolvar ordered the confiscation of all the possessions of those who had emigrated, including their crops. Pablo Morillo tells in his memoirs that when he arrived in Spain, after the embrace with Simn Bolvar and the signing of the Armistice Treaty of Santa Ana, the King of Spain called him to his presence and said: "Explain to me how it is that you, who triumphed against the French, against the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, arrive here defeated by savages. As president in 186468, Falcn appeared content to allow subordinates, many of them irresponsible, to rule at both the state and national levels. He held the town of Coro for about two weeks before Spanish forces drove him out. The conflicts were extremely bloody, and control of the central government changed hands several times. The independence movement A group of Venezuelan Creoles boldly proclaimed their country an independent republic in 1797. In 1827, the Gran Colombian union (to which Quito, today Ecuador, had adhered in 1823) entered into crisis and the efforts of Bolivar and some others to stop the disintegration were of no avail. General Guzmn Blanco rallied the Liberals to his cause, overthrew the Conservatives, and assumed power in 1870. The Republic of Gran Colombia, with its capital at Bogot, was proclaimed on December 17, 1819, with Bolvar as president. By July of 1812, leaders such as Bolvar had gone into exile and Miranda was in the hands of the Spanish. The city erupted into chaos once more. Bolivar quickly established an independent government known as the Second Venezuelan Republic. On August 26, 1813, Bolvar personally took charge of the siege against the Puerto Cabello square. The separatists were in favor of Venezuela's independence, while the fidelists were loyal to King Ferdinand VII. Other revolutionary leaders viewed this action with contempt, and Miranda was subsequently turned over to the Spaniards, who sent him first to Puerto Rico and later to Spain, where he died in prison in 1816. Unable to return to Venezuela, Luisa arrives in Cadiz. Bolvar writes the Cartagena Manifesto where he analyzes the reasons for the failure of the republic and the future of the countries participating in this process, which would later form Gran Colombia. The last of the royalist forces surrendered at Puerto Cabello on October 9, 1823. [7] On July 5, the vote was taken. Chile's struggle for independence is known as the period in which Chile became a separate country from Spain. The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence (Spanish: Acta de la Declaracin de Independencia de Venezuela) is a document drafted and adopted by Venezuelan on July 5, 1811, through which Venezuelans made the decision to separate from the Spanish Crown in order to establish a new nation based on the premises of equality of individuals, abolition of censorship and dedication to freedom of expression. The independence of Venezuela was finally recognized by Spain on March 30, 1845, through a treaty of peace and friendship made between the governments of Queen Isabel II of Spain and Venezuelan President Carlos Soublette. General Pez recognized Bolvar's authority and on February 12, 1818, with the Toma de las Flecheras where the llanero lancers crossed the Apure River and jumped into the river on their horses swimming before the confused sight of the royalists and took the Spanish boats.