who is simon bolivar??

Question

who is simon bolivar??

My great uncle. ;-) - DJ_Huero, Mar 24, 2011

Answer 1

Despite having had the country named after him, Bolívar had little to do with Bolivia, formerly Upper Perú, and concerned himself more with making a new south American republic centred on modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador. After the defeat of the Spanish, Bolívar could scarcely hold the new state together and died of TB before he could realise his dream of a united states of South America. After the recent exhumation of his body in Venezuela, some people (including Hugo Chavez) have claimed that Bolívar was assassinated, however, the evidence is inconclusive. There are also scholars that claim San Martin was the real hero of the fight for independence in South America and Bolivar would have been a footnote in history without him. Certainly in the southern half of the continent, especially Chile and Argentina, where San Martin is a national hero, this is widely believed. In the north, there is no doubt that Bolivar was far more important. Whether or not Bolívar needed San Martin, his central role in Latin American history is firmly established. However, Bolivia itself owes its existence more to General Sucre, who led Bolivar's armies to victory there and then renamed the republic in honour of his boss. And although Sucre is a more pivotal figure in Bolivian history, he only had a city named after him. Still, better than nothing.

Holy cow! That's one heck of a controversial statement. There are places where saying that openly and publicly could easily get you stoned to death! - Gekkosan, Mar 24, 2011

Bolívar, by the way, as far as all historical records show, died of tuberculosis not of murder. - Gekkosan, Mar 24, 2011

Regarding whether San Martin or Bolivar is the more important figure, I'm not offering an opinion. If I had to, I'd say Bolivar was far more important politically, but San Martin was a better general. But depending on who I talk to, I'm usually corrected. - Encalada, Mar 24, 2011

After the exhumation of Bolivar's body, the news from Venezuela indicated assassination. However, considering Hugo Chavez's involvement and the political implications, it's right to doubt this. I think you're right, that it was TB. I've amended the post. - Encalada, Mar 24, 2011

Sucre, by the way, is a lovey place! The ¨white city¨ because of the lovely, whilte houses. - chris126, Mar 24, 2011

Wasn´t Panama part of Bolivar´s republic? - chris126, Mar 24, 2011

Sucre is beautiful. What I particularly liked when I was there was the lack of traffic, which blights so many other centro historicos. - Encalada, Mar 24, 2011

Sorry, forgot poor old Panama was part of Gran Colombia. Shall amend the post. - Encalada, Mar 24, 2011

Indeed Panamá was part of Grand Colombia, and later of Colombia. It seceded in the early 1900's. - Gekkosan, Mar 24, 2011

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Bolivar

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/72067/Simon-Bolivar

Some information can be found here when a thread about Venezuela is opened

http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/141488/culture-in-pictures-spanish-speaking-countries

Check out above link(s) - Fidalgo, Mar 24, 2011

Answer 3

Everyone knows San Martin was the real hero and Bolívar tricked and manipulated him at Guayaquil into giving up his true place in history as the liberator of South America. What happened on the 27th of July? What did Bolívar do to San Martin to drive him away?

La noche del 27 de julio de 1822, Bolívar agasajó a San Martín con un banquete. A mitad del mismo, y bajo un estricto secreto de todo lo conversado, tal cual lo convenido, San Martín se retiró hacia el muelle, y se embarcó hacia el Perú.

Answer 4

Welcome to the forum!

You really need to google Simon Bolivar. He was a very important figure in the formation of Bolivia and much of South America.

Hope that helps!

Much more than that as well ! - pacofinkler, Mar 24, 2011

He never even visited Bolívia. - pedrofranklin, Mar 25, 2011

Answer 5

Bolivar is considered the liberator of Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. He is one of the most important figures in the history of Hispanic America. Very fascinating to study.

San Martin liberated Peru, not Bolívar. - pedrofranklin, Mar 25, 2011

Answer 6

Answer 7

George Washington of South America.

Answer 8

             The Irish generals in Simon Bolivar's army.

Throughout Venezuela's and South America's liberation history you'll find more records of the Irish than the Brits. One thousand men of the (clearly defined) IRISH LEGION landed on Margarita Island in August 1819. And two thousand one hundred more Irish soldiers reached Venezuela in organized Irish regiments during the next years. Twelve thousand were to follow in their footsteps to secure liberty for South America from brutal Spanish colonialism. link text

If you look at the British army, too, it was full of Irishmen and often commanded by Anglo-Irish. - Encalada, Mar 25, 2011

Answer 9

He's the guy they named Venezuelan money after.