Who is Bolivar - a fighter for independence or autocratic leader?

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brave hero of many novels and biographies, a fierce fighter for the independence of South America, the first president of Venezuela, the man after whom is named the whole state - that one is Bolivar.

origins of life

It all started in the already distant from us in 1783.Then was born a child with a birth name is Simon.This man was destined to change the course of history forever and become one of the most famous people in the world.So he was born to a wealthy creole - the so-called descendants of immigrants from Europe, mostly Spanish and Portuguese.Since childhood, he was very clever and active child.

But woe sooner touched the boy.First, he lost his father, and later the mother died of a serious illness.At the age of 5 years he was an orphan.Duties of trustee took over his father's brother.He was very fond of the baby restless and tried to give him a proper upbringing and education.He chose for his nephew, the famous intellectual, fan the ideas of the French Enlightenment XVIII century Simone de Rodriguez.However, when he became interested in politics is extremely, the boy's uncle considered dangerous to have such a teacher and interrupted contacts Rodriguez and Bolivar.

views of a political leader in Latin America

Nevertheless, the idea of ​​Montesquieu, Diderot, Rousseau, sank deep into the soul of the future leader of South America.At sixteen, he went to Europe to continue their education and at the same time to see a new world for him.In 1799 he arrived in France, which at that time was coming to an end this dramatic page of history of the country.It ended with the revolution, and in the forefront of the political Olympus of the French Republic went Bonaparte.

The following year he visited London, where he met his future collaborator with Francisco de Miranda.Last had a significant impact on the political views of a young man.It has been further strengthened in need of liberation from the tutelage of the Spanish South American colonies.

year later Simon arrived in Madrid, where he performed the rite of marriage, but his wife died soon after.Until 1805 Bolivar traveled to Europe, where he met with his former mentor.There they jointly decided to launch an open struggle against Spain, but that it was necessary to wait for the right moment.

first unsuccessful attempt

And such a moment comes.In 1808 the army of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain.A period of dual power, which came in very handy for Bolivar.But he realized that it needs allies and associates.Simon goes to the courts of European monarchs enemies of Spain, in order to obtain support for their actions.However, any serious help, he has never achieved.

In 1810, Miranda returned to Venezuela and immediately heads the government and the army is the province.Collected in the same year, the Patriots Council announced the separation from Spain.And soon begin an armed struggle against the mother country.This uprising took direct part and our hero - that one is for the Venezuelan Bolivar.

Spanish crown was not going to put up with the loss of the rich and extensive lands.The troops of the king, stationed in South America, begin a targeted attack on rebel positions.Well-equipped and trained Spanish army has dealt a blow to supporters of independence skorushitelny.Miranda was captured, which soon died, and Simon had taken refuge in the Dutch possessions, and this saved his life.

pressure and determination to solve the case

features Simon Bolivar during this period of his life may be briefly expressed in one sentence: stubborn ideological fighter for the rights of the peoples of Latin America.Indeed, the defeat did not discourage him.Already in 1813 he had a new army of supporters set foot in Venezuela, and his march to Caracas can be compared with the triumphant "hundred days" of Napoleon.But the result was also tragic.Easy victory early in the campaign, then the rebels have suffered a series of heavy defeats.The Spaniards were able to take control of the entire territory of the province.Bolivar had to re-retire from the Spanish possessions.

third attempt took place in 1816.To her, Simon carefully prepared.He developed a political program to win over the entire population of Venezuela, it has been drawn up in detail and the military campaign.These actions do not have to wait.Within three years the army of revolutionaries consistently beat out the Spaniards from all points of support.In 1919, our hero managed to attach to Venezuela, New Granada, proclaimed the creation of the Great Colombia, and became its president - that one is Simon Bolivar.

final victory Bolivar

board of the newly created President methods were far from democratic.Many of his supporters have accused him of excessive authoritarianism and lust for power.Some openly encouraged not to submit to the usurper, but the political disputes broke new attacks Spanish troops.In the battle near the village of Carabobo Spaniards suffered the most severe defeat since the war began.Bolivar decided to build on this success.His closest aide, he appointed General Antonio Sucre.They soon seized the territory of Ecuador and Peru.

Battle of Ayacucho went down in history as the "Battle of the generals."It captured the South American patriots got 16 Spanish commanders.Also in this battle Spain lost its last troops stationed in Latin America, and the forces and means at the new parcel was gone.Liberator and unifier - that one is Bolivar in the minds of ordinary Latin Americans.

Hope and Reality

main political dream of Simon was the creation of the United States of South America.Although at first he was able to subdue the vast territory of modern Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, then his authority there could not help because of the extremely strict control.He died in 1830, when he was retired.

name immortalized in the name of Bolivar State of Bolivia.Also, the monetary unit of the country is called the "Bs" and in Venezuela it is called "Bolivar".The wide popularity got the personality and the name of Bolivar in the world literature.In one of the works of O. Henry was the name of a stallion.In the plot of his master he was running away from enemies and was forced to give up his friend to save himself.Then a turnover included the phrase "Bolivar can not carry double."They emphasized the salvation of one man, sacrificing the other.So the writer made a subtle hint of a moot point capture and death of Miranda and rescue our hero.Now you know who Bolivar in the political and cultural tradition.