Historical Look: Spanish Wars of Independence

For the past few months I have causally watched a historical drama series on Netflix named Bolivar, about the life of Simon Bolivar. While the show is somewhat lackluster in quality catering more to the soap opera crowd, it still has provided me with new insight on South American history. It's a historical topic I have always wanted to dive deep into, especially having Colombian heritage myself, yet was just waiting for some inspiration. Well thanks to this show I finally have a reason to study this long over due topic regarding South America's historical fight for independence.

Just as the United States of America had their War of Independence against the British in the 1700s, the Latin American colonies had theirs against the Spanish Empire shortly after in the 1800s. It was no doubt a rebellious fervor brewing for many of years throughout Central and South America, before organized action took place. And just as America had it's father of independence, George Washington, the Spanish colonies had their leader in Simon Bolivar, known as "El Libertador" (The Liberator).


The Rise of Simon Bolivar

The turn of the 19th century in my opinion is one of the most fascinating points in history. Following America's War and Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1776, Europe was in a wave of revolutionary ideals that spanned across the globe, and South America was no exception. The ideals of the Enlightenment inspired one young aristocrat in particular from Venezuela named Simon Bolivar.

During the early 1800s Bolivar studied in Madrid in the midst of the French Revolutionary Wars. He even witnessed Napoleon crowned as emperor in Notre Dame 1804. During his time in Europe, Simon Bolivar was no doubt influenced by the enlightenment and revolutionary ideals which he used to begin a liberation campaign in South America.


Bolivar's Military Campaign

Simon Bolivar returned to his home country of Venezuela in 1807 intent on leading a military coup against the Spanish Empire. He sought to take advantage of Spain's military conflict against France during the Peninsula War of 1807-1814. With Spain more concentrated on France, Bolivar was able to successfully overthrow the Spanish government on April 19th, 1810 and established the First Republic of Venezuela. The Republic however only lasted a year as it was torn between Civil War and Spanish Royalist resistance.

By 1812 Bolivar was exiled from Venezuela and in response he organized the "Admirable Campaign" thru the Andes Mountains. He was able to retake Venezuela and establish the Second Republic of Venezuela in 1813. He later marched his army into the northwestern territory of New Granada, which was to be modern day Colombia. He was able to capture the city of Bogota which brought him his infamous title as El Libertador.   

However his conquests continued to dismantle due to infighting and further Spanish royalist engagement. By 1817 he was able to retain control of Venezuela and established the Third Republic of Venezuela. He furthered his reach into Colombia and Ecuador and in 1821 he achieved a monumental victory against the Spanish Monarchy at the Battle of Carabobo. Through this victory Bolivar established Gran Colombia which was a unified state of modern day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.

Bolivar left the governing of the newly established state to political leaders, while he continued his military campaign further west into Ecuador and Peru. In May of 1822 he defeated the Spanish Armies at the Battle of Pichincha and marched into the city of Quito shortly after. On August 6th of 1824 he decisively defeated the Spanish armies at the Battle of Junin thus liberating Peru. This vast mountainous land was broken up into two regions, with the establishment of the Republic of Bolivia, named after the heroic commander. By 1827 Simon Bolivar returned to Caracas to help administer his newly established government.


Gran Colombia

The state of Gran Colombia demonstrated Bolivar's ambitious vision to unite Latin America and compete with the likes of Europe and the newly established United States. However the state was never allowed to fully develop due to constant infighting. Bolivar was accused of being a dictator and various political leaders sought to break away into smaller centralized republics. Each territory in South America sought to govern itself, and Bolivar eventually realized his dream was out of reach. On January 20th of 1830 he stepped down as president of Gran Colombia and the union was dissolved a year later.

Simon Bolivar died later that year in 1830 of tuberculosis at the young age of 47. The union of Gran Colombia was dissolved into three separate republics of Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Granada. The Republic of New Granada would later be known as the Granadine Confederation in 1858, the United States of Colombia in 1863, and finally it's modern day government, the Republic of Colombia was established in 1886. Although he was unable to achieve his ultimate goal of unifying Latin America, Simon Bolivar is without question the most pivotal figure of South American independence.


Central and South American Wars of Independence

My study here on the Spanish Wars of Independence pertains more to Simon Bolivar's military campaign. And while he was one of the key patriotic leaders, there were a number of ongoing conflicts during this time fought against the Spanish Monarchy. Simon Bolivar was no doubt associated with most of the South American campaigns in the northern region, yet he was also aided by the leadership of Jose de San Martin in the Peruvian regions. Simultaneously to these revolutions was the May Revolution in Argentina and the Mexican War of Independence which were all just as historically significant.

• Argentine War of Independence
• Dates: 1810-1818
• Key Leaders: Manuel Belgrano, Juan Jose Castelli, and Jose de San Martin
• Territorial Changes: Fall of the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata, establishment of Republic of Argentina in 1816 
• Bolivian War of Independence
• Dates: 1809-1825
• Key Leaders: Simon Bolivar, Jose Antonio de Sucre
• Territorial Changes: Fall of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the Rio de la Plata, establishment of Republic of Bolivia in 1825
• Chilean War of Independence
• Dates: 1810-1826
• Key Leaders: Jose de San Martin
• Territorial Changes: Fall of the Viceroyalty of Peru, establishment of the Republic of Chile in 1818 
• Mexican War of Independence
• Dates: 1810-1821
• Key Leaders: Miguel Hidalgo, Jose Maria Morelos
• Territorial Change: Fall of New Spain, establishment of Mexico
• Venezuelan War of Independence
• Dates: 1810-1823
• Key Leaders: Simon Bolivar
• Territorial Changes: Fall of Spanish Province, establishment of Gran Colombia in 1819, and later Republic of Venezuela in 1830
• Colombian War of Independence

• Dates: 1819-1820
• Key Leader: Simon Bolivar, Jose Antonio Paez, Francisco de Paula Santander
• Territorial Changes: Fall of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, establishment of Gran Colombia in 1819, Granadine Confederation in 1858, United States of Colombia in 1863, and Republic of Colombia in 1886)
• Ecuadorian War of Independence
• Dates: 1820-1822
• Key Leaders: Simon Bolivar, Antonio Jose de Sucre
• Territorial Changes: Fall of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, establishment of Gran Colombia in 1819, and the Republic of Ecuador in 1830 
• Peruvian War of Independence
• Dates: 1811-1826
• Key Leaders: Jose de San Martin, Simon Bolivar 
• Territorial Changes: Fall of the Viceroyalty of New Peru, establishment of the Republic of Peru in 1826