El Libertador: Writings of Simon Bolivar

by Simón Bolívar

General Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), called El Liberator, and sometimes the "George Washington" of Latin America, was the leading hero of the Latin American independence movement. His victories over Spain won independence for Bolivia, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Bolívar
became Columbia's first president in 1819. In 1822, he became dictator of Peru. Upper Peru became a separate state, which was named Bolivia in Bolívar's honor, in 1825. The constitution, which he drew up for Bolivia, is one of his most important political pronouncements. Today he is remembered
throughout South America, and in Venezuela and Bolivia his birthday is a national holiday.

Although Bolívar never prepared a systematic treatise, his essays, proclamations, and letters constitute some of the most eloquent writing not of the independence period alone, but of any period in Latin American history. His analysis of the region's fundamental problems, ideas on political
organization and proposals for Latin American integration are relevant and widely read today, even among Latin Americans of all countries and of all political persuasions. The "Cartagena Letter," the "Jamaica Letter," and the "Angostura Address," are widely cited and reprinted.

Genres: History, Politics, 19th Century

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar, known as "the Liberator," defeated the Spanish in 1819; made president of greater Colombia, including now Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador, he helped from 1823 to Peru and Bolivia.

Antonio José de Sucre fought with Simón Bolívar to liberate Ecuador and Peru.


From the empire, Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios of common military and politics, together with José de San Martín, played a key role in successful Latin struggle for independence.

Following the triumph over the monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of the first named union of independent Latin nations.

People regard Simón Bolívar as a Latin hero and visionary. During his short life, he brought independence and lay the foundations for much Hispanic democratic ideology. For this reason, people often refer or compare him with George Washington.

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there are things that could have been done better with this edition. Brief contexts before individual sections or writings would often be helpful, and Bushnell's introduction seems a bit unrealistic in some of its appraisals.

However, it is very valuable to be able to see thoughts on democracy and government from South America, and a reminder that it is not only the traditional "Western Civilization" sources that can teach us.

Also, it is something to read documents from the early 19th century condemning the destruction wrought by Columbus and colonialism. It's not new; people just haven't been paying attention and incorporating other points of view.

[Henry Hildebrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t give a collection of writings a 5 star review but I thoroughly enjoyed this

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an essential book to understand Simon Bolivar as a politician, a revolutionary, and a statesmen. The esteem that Latin Americans have for Bolivar's legacy has made political movements identify themselves as "heirs to the Bolivarian Revolution". Although Bolivar was not a man of letters as other famous liberals in his era such as Thomas Paine, or Thomas Jefferson, this book collects all of his major writings. In Bolivar's own words, we see the vision that he had for an independent Spanish America, and the problems that would arise.

Bolivar was very much influenced by the American Revolution, yet we see how he reconciled the realities that the Spanish Colonial experience placed on emulating their northern neighbor's success. To paraphrase Bolivar, "it is far easier to enslave a society, than to bring it back into liberty." This contradiction of wanting for a liberal society of self-governance, and the authoritarian and centralized measures taken will ultimately lead to the failure of Gran Colombia as a state.

[Abe]

A collection of Simón Bolívar's writings.