Summary
JCB Archive of Early American Images, accession 00123, Simón Bolívar.
In the painting above of Simon Bolivar from 1823, you can infer that Bolivar is a wealthy and high ranking military leader. The three medals strapped to his uniform show that he was an honorable, strong, and savvy leader and strategist in the fight for independence in Venezuela, Peru, and in modern- day Columbia. The red and gold on his military uniform with the white stars represented his rank as a highly respected and awarded Venezuelan military commander. His black undershirt underneath his military uniform provided him with warmth and extra protection for fighting battles outside in various weather conditions and temperatures. In this painting overall, Simon Bolivar is depicted as a confident, smart, wealthy, and strategic military leader in the fight for independence in Venezuela, Peru, and modern-day Columbia in the early 1800’s- mid 1800’s.
We talked in class about Simon Bolivar’s family history and how he grew up being a rebellious and intelligent young man. He went to school to get his education, but he disagreed with his parents' belief in slavery being accepted and allowed. He fought for the abolishment of slavery in Latin America. In particular, Bolivar wanted to “destroy the Spanish to protect the Americans, and to re-establish the republican form of government in Venezuela” (Simon Bolivar, 32). Simon is saying that he wanted to get rid of Spanish rule in South America, have a liberal form of government where there is more universal freedom, and abolish slavery permanently in Latin America.
Former slaves that suffered and were forced under Spanish monarchical rule in Peru, Columbia, and Venezuela were now free under Bolivar’s rule to leave plantations and work elsewhere, fight in militias and receive government protection, and live independent and prosperous lives. In Simon Bolivar’s The Letter from Jamaica, he said “when we are strong and under the guidance of a liberal nation which will lend us her protection, we will achieve accord in cultivating virtues and talents that lead to glory” (20). In my opinion, Bolivar is saying that living under a free and equal nation that has military strength and protection will lead to the Americans living an amazing life where anyone can practice their own beliefs and cultures without the worry of Spanish re-occupation. Americans do get more liberal freedom and independence under Bolivar’s rule, but not all forms of liberal freedom were achievable for Americans at that time.
Work Cited
Simon Bolivar: The Letter to Jamaica, 1810-1830, Vicente Lecuna, Harold Bierck Jr, & Lewis Bertrand (New York: Colonial Press, 1951) pg 18-20.
Simon Bolivar: Selected Writings, 1810-1830, Vicente Lecuna, Harold Bierck Jr, & Lewis Bertrand (New York: Colonial Press, 1951) pg 31-32.
