HIST362: Modern Revolutions

María Antonia Bolívar was a member of the social elite in colonial Venezuela.67 She was an educated, intelligent, and literate woman, but her role in society as wife and mother was defined by law, tradition, and social mores. Before the war for independence began, she led a sheltered life, fulfilling her destiny as wife and mother, but once hostilities began, her life was radically changed by war, exile and poverty. Maria Antonia held divided loyalties during the conflict. She gave her political support to the Spanish King and the royalist cause by sheltering his supporters and petitioning for a pension and a return to her homeland, but she also communicated with her brother, Simón Bolívar, regarding family rural and urban properties, mines and estates, as well as political issues, and she was sympathetic to his needs. The ties of blood were strong, despite their political differences. She assumed managerial and administrative responsibilities over his affairs when he was absent from Venezuela and vigorously defended their family interests, although she always sought his opinion before making any final decisions. She was an astute observer of political conditions in Venezuela and kept the Liberator informed of events. Bolívar valued her news and advice, but he cautioned her against any involvement in the turbulent and volatile post independence political world. Women were not to make any significant contribution to the building of a nation in the aftermath of independence. Once the war ended they returned to their domestic and nurturing roles. It was only when women became educated and aware of their status, in the late nineteenth century in the countries of the Southern Cone, that the Feminist movement was born and change began.