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''Peru'' ([[Peru]] and [[Bolivia]]).

''Peru'' ([[Peru]] and [[Bolivia]]).

Bolivar is still known today as ''El Libertador'' (The Liberator). He has also been refered to as the "[[George Washington]] of South America.".

Bolivar is still known today as ''El Libertador'' (The Liberator). He has also been referred to as the "[[George Washington]] of South America.".

==Life==  

==Life==  

Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela on 24 July 1783. He was the youngest child of the married couple composed by Juan Vicente de Bolívar and María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco. His parents were members of the highest social class of the ''Capitanía General de Venezuela'', a former Spanish captaincy general integrated by the territory of the current Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Simón Bolívar became orphan of father at the age of three and orphan of mother at the age of nine.   

Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela on 24 July 1783. He was the youngest child of the married couple composed by Juan Vicente de Bolívar and María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco. His parents were members of the highest social class of the ''Capitanía General de Venezuela'', a former Spanish captaincy general integrated by the territory of the current Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Simón Bolívar became orphan of father at the age of three and orphan of mother at the age of nine.   

After the Spanish captain general Vicente Emparan was deposed by the people of Caracas on 19 April 1810, Bolívar became a member of La Junta Patriótica, a committee which encouraged the idea of the independence. On 5 July 1811 the Congress of Venezuela declared the independence of Spain and Bolívar began his military participation as a colonel in the defense of the young republic against the Spanish reaction. When [[Francisco de Miranda]] surrendered before the Spanish general Domingo Monteverde in 1812 Bolívar was arrested, but he could escaped to Colombia.  

After the Spanish captain general Vicente Emparan was deposed by the people of Caracas on 19 April 1810, Bolívar became a member of La Junta Patriótica, a committee which encouraged the idea of the independence. On 5 July 1811 the Congress of Venezuela declared the independence of Spain and Bolívar began his military participation as a colonel in the defense of the young republic against the Spanish reaction. When [[Francisco de Miranda]] surrendered before the Spanish general Domingo Monteverde in 1812 Bolívar was arrested, but he could escaped to Colombia.  

In 1813 Bolívar, as chief of a small army, invaded Venezuela from Colombia. He beat the troops of Domingo Monteverde in few months and obtained the liberation of Venezuela. This short military campaign is known in Venezuela as ''La Campaña Admirable'' (The Admirable Campaign). Unluckily some Spaniards and Venezuelans who were loyal to the King of Spain organised a new resistance. They, under the leadership of the Spanish general José Tomás Boves, could conquer the country again in 1814.

In 1813 Bolívar, as chief of a small army, invaded Venezuela from Colombia. He beat the troops of Domingo Monteverde in few months and obtained the liberation of Venezuela. This short military campaign is known in Venezuela as ''La Campaña Admirable'' (The Admirable Campaign). Unluckily some Spaniards and Venezuelans who were loyal to the King of Spain organized a new resistance. They, under the leadership of the Spanish general José Tomás Boves, could conquer the country again in 1814.

Bolívar lived in the exile, first in [[Jamaica]] and later in [[Haiti]], between 1814 and 1816. In Haiti he gained provision of weapons given by the Haitian president Alexandre Petion. Later Bolívar returned to Venezuela and was recognized again as the main leader of the movement.

Bolívar lived in the exile, first in [[Jamaica]] and later in [[Haiti]], between 1814 and 1816. In Haiti he gained provision of weapons given by the Haitian president Alexandre Petion. Later Bolívar returned to Venezuela and was recognized again as the main leader of the movement.

==Bolívar’s legacy==

==Bolívar’s legacy==

His most lasting legacy is the independence of the countries located in the northern part of South America. On the other hand his project of a Latin American integration failed due to internal dissensions. However that idea of integration is still preserved in the mind of many Latin Americans.

His most lasting legacy is the independence of the countries located in the northern part of South America. On the other hand his project of a Latin American integration failed due to internal dissensions. However that idea of integration is still preserved in the mind of many Latin Americans.

In the history of Hispanic literature Bolívar’s letters are considered as an example of good usage of Spanish  

In the history of Hispanic literature Bolívar’s letters are considered as an example of good usage of Spanish  

language. Perhaps his most outstanding writings are a letter known commonly as ''Carta de Jamaica'' (Letter from Jamaica) and the poem ''Mi Delirio sobre el Chimborazo''.

language. Perhaps his most outstanding writings are a letter known commonly as ''Carta de Jamaica'' (Letter from Jamaica) and the poem ''Mi Delirio sobre el Chimborazo''.

==Honours to Bolívar==

==Honours to Bolívar==

Apart from numerous schools, streets, avenues, municipalities and squares which have the name of the Venezuelan hero the following places were named after him.

Apart from numerous schools, streets, avenues, municipalities and squares which have the name of the Venezuelan hero the following places were named after him.

''Cátedra Bolivariana'' is a school subject taught at secondary level in Venezuela with the goal to give students an approach to Bolívar’s life and thoughts.

''Cátedra Bolivariana'' is a school subject taught at secondary level in Venezuela with the goal to give students an approach to Bolívar’s life and thoughts.

== References ==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

*[http://www.militaryheritage.com/bolivar.htm Biography]

*[http://www.militaryheritage.com/bolivar.htm Biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT: Bolivar, Simon}}

{{DEFAULTSORT: Bolivar, Simon}}

[[Category:Military Commanders]]

[[Category:Military Commanders]]