A review by inquiry_from_an_anti_library
Bolivar: American Liberator by Marie Arana

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Is This An Overview?

Even before Simón Bolívar was born, Spain was increasing how much control Spain had over the colonies.  Spain restricted political offices, increased taxes, monopolized production of various products, and monopolized trade with foreign states.  Spain restricted the flow of information to the colonies to keep them ignorant, to prevent the colonies from considering alternatives to Spain.  The colonies were prohibited from communicating with each other, which disabled collaborative efforts.  The income Spain derived from the colonies was not used to improve the conditions in the colonies, nor was the income spent on the public of Spain.

 

As the repression of Latin American people grew, so did the people’s willingness for independence.  Attempts at independence were made before Bolívar, without success.  Bolívar’s first attempt at a republic in Latin America came when France conquered Spain.  Although the first, and second of Bolívar’s attempt at removing the oppressive Spanish regime failed, the third was successful.  With each attempt, Bolívar gained experience and learned from failures.  Bolívar’s actions gained the people’s approval, becoming the Liberator.  Throughout the conflicts, Bolívar’s forces were generally underequipped, lacked supplies, and were inexperienced.  For all the deficiencies of the armed forces, Bolívar was still able to overcome the Spanish.

 

Bolívar wanted a united Latin America, but that was not to be.  Various people had betrayed Bolívar.  Regional politicians had their own personal ambitions, and began to denounce Bolívar.  Bolívar’s desire for a unified Latin American people required an authoritarian regime, for Latin Americans lacked the experience to govern themselves.  Bolívar became seen less as Liberator, and more as a king.  Even though Bolívar did not want the power.  Political competition and corruption prevented the unification of the people.

 

What Was The Latin American Experience With Slavery And Race?

Although the Spanish monarchy did not appreciate the atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus and other conquistadors, they accepted slavery as a method to make the people work.  To the monarchy, slavery was needed to keep the economy functioning.  Spanish people killed many Latin Americans, to the point of needing to import African slaves to compensate for the damage. 

 

Although Spanish and natives were mixing, there was a psychology of superiority.  Strict race dominance was developed.  It was better to be Spanish than indigenous Indian, and a culture of defining the different race mixes.  The penalty for being Indian, was to be forced to purchase food from the government, food that was often in poor condition.  Indians were forced to buy products they did not need for the government to acquire gold and silver.  Indians were forced to provide labor or taxes as tribute.  With persecution based on race, came various violent race related events.

 

What Was Bolívar’s Love Life?

Bolívar fell in love with María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro in Spain.  Their marriage was short, as María died shortly after arriving in Venezuela.  After María’s death, Bolívar traveled abroad.  Traveled to Paris were the idea of a person changing the course of a state’s identity took place.  Also traveled to the United States and witnessed how a former colony could quickly become a commercialized state. 

 

Bolívar was a measured hedonist.  Revolution was often mixed with pleasure, especially with Manuela Sáenz, who Bolívar fell in love with.  Bolívar hedonistic aspects at times created conflict with the armed forces.  Manuela later on joined the armed forces to be near Bolívar, to make sure Bolívar did not cause harm to their relationship.  On some of the assassination attempts on Bolívar, Manuela saved Bolívar’s life. 

 

What Was Bolívar First Attempt At A Republic?

France’s conquest of Spain gave the Spanish colonies the chance to gain their independence, and shape their own political and economic policies.  There were a variety of views as how to express their sovereignty, such as those who wanted sovereignty while expressing public loyalty to Spain.  Many people in the colonies had personal ties to Spain.  Bolívar was someone who wanted sovereignty without any limitations.  Various states did declared independence, declared their sovereignty, in the name of the king of Spain.  The colonies removed the Spanish officials.

 

Bolívar stayed away from the initial 1809 conflicts of independence, thinking that the revolution would be a failure due to the restraint.  As the independence movement seemed successful, Bolívar became a diplomate, for a mission to London.  The junta were cautious of Bolívar, but they lacked funds and Bolívar was willing to finance them. 

 

In London, Bolívar tried to convince Miranda to lead the revolution.  Miranda was someone who tried to gain independence for Spanish colonies before.  Bolívar and Miranda had disagreements, but appeared everywhere together.  Miranda did join Bolívar, and Bolívar enabled Miranda to occupy a government position.  Bolívar assisted Miranda in a variety of ways.  Although Bolívar supported Miranda, as Miranda became a commander, Miranda wanted Bolívar removed from a commanding officer post.

 

The problem with Venezuela’s new republic, was the distribution of power.  The officials claimed to be a full democracy, but the only people eligible to vote were property owners.  Enabling the perpetuation of the class structure, as power was handed to the rich. 

 

At this time, ignorance was endemic as Spain discouraged education.  Preventing people from understanding what liberty meant.  The people were divided by loyalty and race.  The military lacked experience, discipline, and arms. 

 

What caused the revolution to fail was an earthquake in Caracas.  An earthquake which the Church claimed was punishment for the insurrection.  Although Miranda accepted a dictatorship to unite the people, Miranda did not encourage military confrontations as Miranda did not think that independence was possible.  As Spain was regaining control, and under threat of potential civil war, Miranda made a pact with Spain.  Miranda surrendered, and tried to fee.  To Bolívar and others, these and other acts made Miranda seem like a traitor. 

 

Many revolutionary leaders were sent to prison.  Bolívar was saved by Iturbe.  After the escape, Bolívar had become an experienced revolutionary, who was humbled by defeat. 

 

What Was Bolívar Second Attempt At A Republic?

A few months after the failed Venezuelan revolution, Bolívar made plans and set out for another revolution.  Using people that society left behind.  Bolívar trained and took care of the people.  Made victories using guerrilla tactics, and continued to proceed on the offensive.  Many towns were freed before Bolívar’s arrival as the Spanish officials feared Bolívar’s troops.  The people being liberated, were interested in liberating their own people and land.  They had little interest in liberating other people and lands.

 

Bolívar signed a decree of war to the death, as a retaliatory measure.  A form of recrimination for the Spanish want to exterminate the republicans.  The decree was meant to support the republican troops, but had the effect of enabling violence.  Even with the decree, Bolívar allowed for a peaceful surrender, to show mercy. 

 

Bolívar’s success at overcoming Spanish forces using less people and supplies, eared Bolívar the title of Dictator and Liberator.  Two reasons for the failed second attempt at a republic, were race and lack of weapons.  Spain used race to divide the people.  Black, Indian, and mixed-blood accepted Spanish claims that it was the Creoles who were responsible for their misery, without understanding that it was the Spanish who made the Creole miserable who then oppressed others.  Race conflicts became civil war. 

 

The new enemy had become the llaneros.  Llaneros had a massive force, were undisciplined, and lawless.  Their apparent goal was plunder.  The people and regions were divided by people who proclaimed themselves supreme commanders.  Bolívar was faced with betrayal, traps, and Spain regaining the empire.  Spain wanted the colonies back and waged a war against democracy.  Bolívar was exiled by supposed allies, and fled to Haiti to avoid a trap in Cartagena. 

 

What Was Bolívar Third Attempt At A Republic?

Bolívar had difficulty uniting the people and leaders for the cause of the revolution.  Warlords had taken charge of Venezuela.  Although Bolívar lacked power and the armies of the warlords, the warlords did not have Bolívar’s reputation with the people.  Bolívar wanted to build alliances with Piar, Monagas, Zaraza, and Cedeño. 

 

This attempt at a unified republic created a need for establishing courts and due process in response to events that caused political turmoil.  While Spain tried to keep Americans ignorant, Bolívar made sure that Americans were informed.  The information gave Bolívar and the revolution recognition by foreign powers.  With foreign recognition, came supplies and foreign troops.  Supplies and troops did not stop many of the people in the army from deserting due to hunger.    

 

As Bolívar was getting older and had health complications, Bolívar wanted someone to become a younger version of Bolívar.  That someone was Sucre.

 

What Happened To Bolívar’s Desire Of A United Latin America?

Bolívar did not want to be a politician.  Bolívar’s goal was to remove the oppressors.  Although many regions favored a federalist system, Bolívar did not approve a federal system as there was too much division between the regions.  Division that needed a unified government to overcome.  Another reason for an authoritarian government was a consequence of colonial rule, Bolívar did not think that Latin Americans could rule themselves due to lack of experience.  Bolívar feared that illiterate masses would destroy order. 

 

Bolívar wanted a republic and authoritarian regime, by having a president appointed for life.  The president would be powerless to appoint legislature government or courts.  The appointment was powerful, and would be in perpetuity given that the president would influence who would be the successor. 

 

The problem was that the Bolívar’s idealism for a united Latin America and want for an authoritarian regime made people think that Bolívar wanted to be a king.  Bolívar gradually was seen less as a Liberator, and more as a king.  Bolívar did not actually want to be king, but these claims were in contrast to what people thought of Bolívar.

 

Political corruption and competition for power caused regional leaders to denounce Bolívar.  Trusted allies turned against Bolívar. 

 

Caveats?

The organization of the book can limit an understanding of the details.  Various details are provided on the events, that can create a confusion for the sequence of events.  As the book focuses on the complexity of Bolívar’s life, the interest in the different aspects depends on the reader.