Simon Bolivar's military and political leadership in Latin American independence

Simon Bolivar

In order to understand the value and significance of the life of Simon Bolivar, it's important to understand both his early and adult life. His Jamaican Letter, why he was called The Great Liberator, and his historic significance -- that has been compared with the significance of George Washington -- all matter. Bolivar was a military leader, but also a political leader. The combination opened up many different options for him, allowing him to focus on several different aspects of serving his country and advancing the values he felt were important. During Latin America's struggle to become independent from the Spanish Empire, Bolivar played a crucial role (Arana, 2013; Bushnell, 1970). That struggle was ultimately successful, further endearing Bolivar to the people of his country and to history in general. Because of his work to make life better for his country from both military and political standpoints, he is considered today to be one of the most influential politicians in all the history of the Americas (Harvey, 2000). His triumph of the Spanish Monarchy was not the only reason he was considered so valuable, however.

Bolivar also helped found a union of independent nations, which was the first of its kind in Hispanic-America (Marx, 1858). It is now know as Gran Columbia (Arana, 2013). He served as its president for more than 10 years, and has been lauded as a visionary, revolutionary, liberator, and hero (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003). All of those words appear to fit Bolivar well, because he provided so much to a vast number of people during his lifetime. Despite being only 47 years old when he died, Bolivar's life and legacy have made a lasting impression on Hispanic-America and the rest of the world (Bushnell & Macaulay, 1994; Harvey, 2000). He led a number of countries during his life, leaving his mark on each one. These included Venezuela, Ecuador, Columbia, Bolivia, and Peru (Lynch, 1983). All were freed from Spanish rule during his time leading them, and it is believed he was instrumental in laying the foundations of democracy for a number of countries in what is now Latin America (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003; Bushnell & Macaulay, 1994).

Early Life

Simon Bolivar, officially named Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, was born in July of 1783 (O'Leary, 1970). There is an argument as to where his birth took place, however, because there are two different, alleged locations where Bolivar was born. Some believe he was born at a residence in San Mateo, but it is officially stated that he was born in a house in Caracas (Lynch, 1986). He had a brother and two older sisters, as well as another sister who died at birth (Lynch, 1986). Because of difficult circumstances, Bolivar's parents were forced to give him up and entrust his care to Dona Ines Manceba de Miyares and a family slave (Mijares, 1983; O'Leary, 1970). He returned to live with his parents after two years, but the separation and circumstances surrounding it would have a strong effect on Bolivar throughout his entire life. His father also died before Bolivar turned three, so he was without a strong male role model and had to grieve that particular loss, as well (Arana, 2013). Those early experiences shaped much of what he fought for and believed in as he got older and came into power.

Because Bolivar's father passed away in his sleep, there was no warning and no opportunity to say goodbye. Before Bolivar turned nine years old, his mother also died (Arana, 2013). He was placed in the custody of Miguel Jose Sanz, but there was too much conflict and difficulty with that relationship (Arana, 2013). It failed to work out, and Bolivar was sent back home. Many renowned professors worked with Bolivar to help him get a good education. They came to his home and provided private lessons. One of those men, Don Simon Rodriguez, later became a good friend to Bolivar and taught him more than just what could be learned from books (Lynch, 1983). Through his friendship with Rodriguez, Bolivar learned about freedom, liberty, and enlightenment (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003). These would all serve him well as an adult. During the rest of his youth, most of his care has provided by the family nurse, a slave woman.

Adult Life

Bolivar's adult life actually began rather early. When he was 14 he entered a military academy (Arana, 2013). During an age when most people would be still thought of as children, Bolivar was learning to be a man. Years earlier, his father had directed that academy as a colonel (Lynch, 1986). Bolivar learned about military strategy, and also discovered he had a particular passion for and interest in armaments (Lynch, 1986). The strategy he learned during his time in the academy would be very useful to him later, as he focused on freeing the people of various countries from Spanish rule. Another defining moment in Bolivar's young adult life was the witnessing of the coronation of Napoleon in Paris (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003). He wanted to have that same kind of glory by helping the people of his native land and doing something profound and important for them. This desire to be more than just another person, and to make something of himself that went beyond what most would ever do, helped to fuel Bolivar's continuing focus on military and political values and ideals that would shape a number of nations.

Bolivar's private life was mostly uneventful. He married once, but she died a few months later of yellow fever (Bushnell & Macaulay, 1994). They had no children. Bolivar traveled a lot to a number of different countries, exploring the world and learning all he could about how it worked. His brother and sisters had children, and that provided Bolivar with some extended family to talk to and spend time with, but much of his time was spent alone (Harvey, 2000; Mijares, 1983). In later years he had a lover who helped him with many of the liberations of various nations and also saved him from an attempted assassination (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003). As risky and dangerous as his career sometimes was, he died not from battle or a military uprising, but from tuberculosis at the age of 47 (Arana, 2013). While his life was relatively short by today's standards, he offered a great deal of value to the countries he helped free from Spanish rule and was remembered fondly by most of those who knew him. His name has gone down in history for his desire to provide a better life for such a large number of people who wanted to escape oppressive Spanish rule.

The Jamaican Letter

Another notable part of Bolivar's life is the letter he wrote from Jamaica. This was a letter in response to another letter he had received from Henry Cullen (Arana, 2013). The letter addressed the Second Republic of Jamaica and why it fell, based on the context of that nation's independence (Arana, 2013). In order have a full understanding of that letter, it is very important to know the historical context behind it. Bolivar arrived in Kingston, Jamaica when he was 32 years of age (Lynch, 1983). He was still relatively new to the fight for independence at that time, having only been leading that fight for three years (Lynch, 1986). During those short years, though, the fight had become very intense in its level of military activity. His desire to take back Venezuela from the Spanish Monarchy at that time was very strong, but his military opponents were stronger. Bolivar's plan failed, and he was not able to liberate Venezuela at that time. He decided to try again, but the people who had previously been dedicated followers would no longer agree to back him (Arana, 2013). Bolivar felt confused and misunderstood, so he exiled himself in Jamaica (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003).

While he lived in Jamaica he spent a great deal of time thinking about what to do next. He considered the future of the Americas and what his role in it should be, as well as what might have gone wrong in his previous campaign and what changed in the hearts and minds of his followers that they refused to follow him any longer (Harvey, 2000). With the unique situation of the world's politics as a backdrop, Bolivar considered many of the issues he would have to face if he chose to try liberation again. History tells the reader that Bolivar did try again, and with much more success, but his time in Jamaica was an introspective time where many areas of his life were carefully considered in an effort to decide what the best move would be (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003; Bushnell & Macaulay, 1994). It was during that time and in that frame of mind that he wrote the Jamaican Letter as a response to Cullen and an expression of his own thoughts (Arana, 2013).

The letter specifically analyzed the historical successes that had been seen up until the failure to liberate Venezuela (Mijares, 1983). He wrote about the balance of force seen in various nations, and how that affected whether a country was able to be liberated or not (Arana, 2013). Then Bolivar moved on in his discussion, from the balance of force to the importance of independence. He not only wrote about the value of that independence, but about the reasons for it and the necessity of it (Lynch, 1983). Instead of writing about it as though it was something that was only desired, he wrote about it as though it was a necessity. That changed the focus and tone of the letter completely, from information about an issue to understanding of the deeper issues surrounding the need to have more independence. There was also a call for Europe to step in and help out, as well as speculation on his part as to what would happen to Venezuela, Central America, Mexico, and other areas where liberation was believed to be needed (Arana, 2013; Bushnell, 1970).

The letter was addressed to Cullen, but it was also believed to be written to catch the attention of Britain (Bushnell & Macaulay, 1994). Bolivar wanted Britain as a strong ally in the liberation of the nations he had focused on and the unification of the countries that made up the Americas (Arana, 2013). Britain eventually did respond to Bolivar's call for aid, but not in the time period he had hoped for. By the time the offer for aid came in, Bolivar decided he preferred to get help from Haiti (Lynch, 1983). Why that took place was really not clear, because Britain was a stronger ally. Perhaps Bolivar believed that Haiti would be better suited to assist him based on location, or he may have lost trust in Britain based on the lack of reply on his preferred timeline (Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003). It is not known and will likely never be known why this particular choice was made, but it was something Bolivar felt strongly about. Because of that, Britain did not get involved with Bolivar's clashes with other military leaders and his fight to free specific nations.

Historic Significance

The historic significance of Simon Bolivar is worth noting. Not only did he help people out of oppression, but he kept doing it, relentlessly, until it was not possible to do it any longer. During that time he made many enemies and even more friends and allies. He had a country named after him, was president of a nation, and led a number of countries and their people to freedom and peace (Arana, 2013). Those are things that many aspire to do, but that few are actually able to accomplish. Bolivar's historic significance is seen in two ways. First, through what he did, and second, through why and how he did it. These have to be considered, because it is not just about one thing or the other. It is about the entire event or person. There are many reasons behind why a person takes a particular action, and those reasons often help a person understand why those actions were taken. This is the case with Bolivar, and one of the easiest places to see it in action is through his Jamaican Letter. When he wrote it, he was in exile. He was unsuccessful and his followers would not support him (Bushnell, 1970; Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003).

A lesser man might have just given up and decided that it was not necessary to continue on any further. After all, he had tried. He had done the best he could do at the time, and he had been defeated by a worthy opponent. Many people would consider that a victory of sorts, especially since Bolivar was the only one stepping up trying to do something. The effort was laudable and important, but Bolivar did not see it that way. He had such love for his native land and he had a vision for what he believed to be right (Arana, 2013). He spent his time in Jamaica considering not the fact that he had been defeated, but how and why he was defeated. In order to be victorious the next time, he had to determine why his previous attempt did not work (Harvey, 2000). His letter was to ask for help, but it was also to address how strongly he still felt about the issues he faced and the issues various countries faced. The speculation as to what might happen to these countries in the future was an important part of the letter, too, as it addressed the worries and fears Bolivar had if he was not able to succeed with his plans (Arana, 2013; Bushnell & Fornoff, 2003; O'Leary, 1970).

Both his dedication to his cause and his military and political abilities make his life and accomplishments historically significant. It is not about the country named after him or the numerous statues and monuments. Those are ways to honor him, but what matters is what he did to become and remain honorable. That is why he is historically significant, because it is not possible to tell the true history of a number of nations without including what he did for them and how he helped release them from the oppression of the Spanish Monarchy. Had he not been so dedicated, he may have only been a footnote in a history book somewhere. Because of his passion and dedication to so many people, though, his historical significance is large and will always remain valuable.

Conclusion

Like many people who go on to do great things, Simon Bolivar came from very humble beginnings. The loss of his parents early on affected him in profound ways that shaped his outlook on the world. However, it did not sour him on humanity or on trying to do right for people who did not have anyone to fight for them. Those who were not strong enough to free themselves looked to Bolivar for their freedom -- and he delivered. Without Bolivar and his dedication to his native land, it is difficult to say where the countries he helped to liberate would be. There is only speculation as to whether they would still be controlled by Spain, or if they would have had another hero come to them at a later date. History, however, has been forever shaped by Bolivar and what he offered to the world. He will not be forgotten by the nations he helped and by other nations who see him as a champion of the people even though he did not directly affect them.