HIST362: Modern Revolutions

María Antonia repeatedly asked Bolívar to return to Venezuela, as she and her fellow citizens believed that he was the only one able to restore order to the republic. She wrote: "Come although it may be for a short while, but bring along 1000 white soldiers because the troops here are very corrupt".36 In addition, she advised him to consider ". . . political matters that are as vital as war".37 But Bolívar was not able to return to Venezuela until 1827, three years after the victory at Ayacucho that liberated Peru.

During his absence, factions in Colombia and Venezuela sought to diminish his influence and power. Although president of Colombia, Bolívar was unable to contain the separatist movement led by Páez. After Páez took extraordinary measure to recruit troops for the militia, ostensibly to maintain order, the civil governor and Intendant, Escalona, ordered him to Bogotá to answer for his excessive use of force; however, his supporters in Valencia convened an assembly that proposed separation from the union.38 María Antonia informed Bolívar of the growing separatist movement and the threat posed by Páez. She urged him to return to Venezuela. “This country is lost. . . if you do not come soon and take energetic measures that can save it. Our enemies work ceaselessly to destroy us".39 Moreover, the Spaniards were paying revolutionaries to begin a civil war.40 The Liberator was interested in and mindful of her opinions and advice. He returned to Caracas in 1827 and his presence had a calming effect, but only temporarily. By 1830, the separatist forces had gained ground and Venezuela declared its independence from Colombia.

In July 1829, María Antonia again wrote to Bolívar about the anarchic state of affairs in Venezuela and appealed to him to return. The military was deserting, the Congress was divided between monarchists and democrats, Páez was crazy, and civil disorder abounded. The clergy and the people begged for his return. In addition, there were threats against the Bolívar family. “Our family is always awaiting death, because some of the most adamant say the Bolívar family should be destroyed to the fifth generation".41 In fact, the situation was so dire that María Antonia considered emigrating to the United States. Begging for alms in a foreign country or living with the Moors would be superior to remaining in Venezuela, she wrote.42

Although María Antonia's letters kept Bolívar informed of the political situation in Colombia, he advised her not to intervene in political matters as they were not the proper sphere for women. In a letter of 10 August 1826, he sternly warned her of the dangers of partisanship. He urged her to devote her energies to the care of her home and family and to leave politics to men. He wrote:

I warn you not to get involved in political business nor adhere to or oppose any party.  Let opinion and things go along although you believe them contrary to your way of thinking.  A woman ought to be neutral in public business. Her family and her domestic duties are her first obligations. A sister of mine ought to observe a perfect indifference in a country which is in a state of dangerous crisis and in which I am viewed as the point at which opinions meet.43

Hence, the involvement of women in politics was abhorrent to Bolívar and other national leaders who were products of a patriarchal society. Women assumed new responsibilities in extraordinary times, like the war for independence, but once the conflict was over they were to return to their proper spheres of influence as wives and mothers. No other role was suitable or acceptable for them.