1819: Simon Bolivar Crosses the Andes: In 1819, the War of Independence in Northern South America was locked in a stalemate. Venezuela was exhausted from a decade of war, and patriot and royalist warlords had fought each other to a standstill. Simón Bolívar, nicknamed “the Liberator", came up with a brilliant yet seemingly suicidal plan: he would take his | 2,000-man army, cross the mighty Andes, and attack the Spanish where they were least expecting it: in neighboring New Granada (Colombia), where a small Spanish army held the region unopposed. His epic crossing of the frozen Andes would prove to be the most genius of his many daring actions during the war. |Crossing the Andes: Bolívar's intentions became clear: the army, drenched, battered and hungry, would have to cross the frigid Andes Mountains. Some of his supporters deserted (left) him: Josć Antonio Pácz, one of Bolívar's top commanders, tried to mutiny and eventually left with most of the cavalry. Bolívar's leadership held, however, because many of his captains swore they would follow him anywhere. Untold Suffering; The crossing was brutal. Some of Bolívar's soldiers were barely-dressed Indians who quickly succumbed to exposure. They were fed raw meat. Before long, all of the horses and pack animals had been slaughtered for food. The wind whipped them, and hail and snow were frequent. By the time they crossed the pass and |descended into New Granada, some 2,000 men and women had perished. What happened? The battle lasted only two hours: at least two hundred royalists were killed and another 1,600 were captured, including Barreiro and his senior officers. On the patriot side, there were only 13 killed and 53 wounded. It was a tremendous, one-sided victory for Bolívar who marched unopposed into Bogota. New Granada was free, and with money, weapons, and recruits, Venczuela soon followed, allowing Bolívar to eventually move south and attack Spanish forces in Ecuador and Peru.

1819: Simon Bolivar Crosses the Andes: In 1819, the War of Independence in Northern South America was locked in a stalemate. Venezuela was exhausted from a decade of war, and patriot and royalist warlords had fought each other to a standstill. Simón Bolívar, nicknamed “the Liberator", came up with a brilliant yet seemingly suicidal plan: he would take his | 2,000-man army, cross the mighty Andes, and attack the Spanish where they were least expecting it: in neighboring New Granada (Colombia), where a small Spanish army held the region unopposed. His epic crossing of the frozen Andes would prove to be the most genius of his many daring actions during the war. |Crossing the Andes: Bolívar's intentions became clear: the army, drenched, battered and hungry, would have to cross the frigid Andes Mountains. Some of his supporters deserted (left) him: Josć Antonio Pácz, one of Bolívar's top commanders, tried to mutiny and eventually left with most of the cavalry. Bolívar's leadership held, however, because many of his captains swore they would follow him anywhere. Untold Suffering; The crossing was brutal. Some of Bolívar's soldiers were barely-dressed Indians who quickly succumbed to exposure. They were fed raw meat. Before long, all of the horses and pack animals had been slaughtered for food. The wind whipped them, and hail and snow were frequent. By the time they crossed the pass and |descended into New Granada, some 2,000 men and women had perished. What happened? The battle lasted only two hours: at least two hundred royalists were killed and another 1,600 were captured, including Barreiro and his senior officers. On the patriot side, there were only 13 killed and 53 wounded. It was a tremendous, one-sided victory for Bolívar who marched unopposed into Bogota. New Granada was free, and with money, weapons, and recruits, Venczuela soon followed, allowing Bolívar to eventually move south and attack Spanish forces in Ecuador and Peru.

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Using the document, Should Bolivar be considered a hero or a villain?

1819: Simon Bolivar Crosses the Andes:
In 1819, the War of Independence in Northern South America was locked in a stalemate. Venezuela was
exhausted from a decade of war, and patriot and royalist warlords had fought each other to a standstill. Simón
Bolívar, nicknamed “the Liberator", came up with a brilliant yet seemingly suicidal plan: he would take his
| 2,000-man army, cross the mighty Andes, and attack the Spanish where they were least expecting it: in
neighboring New Granada (Colombia), where a small Spanish army held the region unopposed. His epic
crossing of the frozen Andes would prove to be the most genius of his many daring actions during the war.
Crossing the Andes:
Bolívar's intentions became clear: the army, drenched, battered and hungry, would have to cross the frigid
Andes Mountains. Some of his supporters deserted (left) him: José Antonio Páez, one of Bolívar's top
commanders, tried to mutiny and eventually left with most of the cavalry. Bolívar's leadership held, however,
because many of his captains swore they would follow him anywhere.
Untold Suffering:
The crossing was brutal. Some of Bolívar's soldiers were barely-dressed Indians who quickly succumbed to
exposure. They were fed raw meat. Before long, all of the horses and pack animals had been slaughtered for
food. The wind whipped them, and hail and snow were frequent. By the time they crossed the pass and
descended into New Granada, some 2,000 men and women had perished.
What happened?
The battle lasted only two hours: at least two hundred royalists were killed and another 1,600 were captured,
including Barreiro and his senior officers. On the patriot side, there were only 13 killed and 53 wounded. It was
a tremendous, one-sided victory for Bolívar who marched unopposed into Bogota. New Granada was free, and
with money, weapons, and recruits, Venezuela soon followed, allowing Bolívar to eventually move south and
attack Spanish forces in Ecuador and Peru.

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