Essays on Simon Bolivar

Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan soldier and statesman who played a central role in the South American independence movement. He served as president of Gran Colombia and as dictator of Peru. The "Republic of Bolivia" was created in his honor.

Bolívar was born in Caracas (Venezuela) into a wealthy family. At the age of 16, he was sent to Spain for his education, after the deaths of his parents. Soon he decided to overthrow the reigning Spanish in colonial South America.

Bolívar returned to Venezuela in 1807. In 1812 Simon Bolivar became a commandant of Puerto Cabello. On May 14, 1813, he and his followers invaded Venezuela; this marked the beginning of "Campaña Admirable", which resulted in the formation of the Venezuelan Second Republic. Bolívar was hailed as El Libertador. In 1821, under Bolívar's leadership the Gran Colombia was formed. Simon Bolivar became a dictator of Peru in 1824. The "Republic of Bolivia" was created on 6 August 1825.

On 17 December 1830, at the age of 47, Simón Bolívar died of tuberculosis in Santa Marta, Gran Colombia. Bolívar is regarded as the greatest genius the Latin American world has produced. Several cities and towns throughout the United States are named in his honor.