María Antonia Bolívar and the War for Independence in Venezuela
Just as had occurred during the American Revolution, the revolutions in South America split loyalists who continued to support the Spanish monarchy and those who wanted independence. To stem the intense infighting and conflict that frequently resulted, Bolívar became a temporary dictator in Venezuela, Peru, and president of the newly-formed Gran Colombia. Read this article, which describes the power dynamic between revolutionaries and royalists. How did this type of conflict impact the revolutionary movements?
A Divisive Issue
The declaration of independence proclaimed by the Congress in Caracas,
Venezuela, on July 5, 1811, and the war of independence that followed
created a rift in mantuano families between those who
supported the continuation of Spanish rule and those who desired a free
and independent republic for political, social, and economic reasons.
Old and distinguished families like the Rodríguez de Toros, the
Galindos, the Palacios, and the Jérez de Aristeguietas were divided
between those who remained loyal to the crown and those who supported
the patriots.1
However, no family was more torn asunder by events than the Bolívars.
Simón Bolívar, leader of the independence army and liberator of
northern South America, early on supported ending ties with Spain. His
brother, Juan Vicente, sailed to the United States in 1810 with orders
from the junta that supported King Ferdinand VII to meet with Spanish
Ambassador Luis de Onís to propose provincial autonomy, to procure
weapons, and to obtain machinery to establish textile factories in
Caracas. Unfortunately, he died in a shipwreck off Bermuda on the way
home in July 1810.2 His sister, Juana Bolívar Palacios,3
favored an independent republic, as did her husband, Dionisio Palacios
Blanco y Sojo, who died at the Battle of Maturin in 1814, and her son,
Guillermo, who died at the Battle of Hogaza in 1817.4 Throughout hostilities, María Antonia, Bolívar's favorite sister and a staunch royalist, remained loyal to the king.