Simón Bolívar Years: 1783 – 1830 Country: Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia Colonial Power Fought: Spain Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military leader who was instrumental in the revolutions against the Spanish Empire. Born into wealth, Bolívar was sent to Spain for his education and quickly got involved in political life in Europe. After France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, invaded Spain in 1808, he became involved in the resistance movement and played a key role in the Spanish American fight for independence. When Napoleon named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies, which included Venezuela, Bolívar joined the resistance movement. The resistance group based in Caracas gained independence in 1810, and Bolívar traveled to Britain on a diplomatic mission. Finally, Bolívar returned to Venezuela and began a campaign to take control of that country from the Spanish. He and his followers invaded Venezuela on May 14, 1813. Bolívar was hailed as El Libertador (The Liberator), though civil war soon erupted in the republic, forcing him to flee to Jamaica and seek foreign aid. There he wrote his famous "Letter From Jamaica," detailing his vision of a South American republic with a parliamentary setup modeled after England and a life-long president. In 1825, the "Republic of Bolivia" was created in honor of the inspirational leader, hailed by many as El Libertador. 6. What impact did the French Revolution and Napoleon have on Simon Bolivar and Venezuela's independence movement? 7. What impact did Bolívar have on South American independence movements?

Simón Bolívar Years: 1783 – 1830 Country: Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia Colonial Power Fought: Spain Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military leader who was instrumental in the revolutions against the Spanish Empire. Born into wealth, Bolívar was sent to Spain for his education and quickly got involved in political life in Europe. After France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, invaded Spain in 1808, he became involved in the resistance movement and played a key role in the Spanish American fight for independence. When Napoleon named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies, which included Venezuela, Bolívar joined the resistance movement. The resistance group based in Caracas gained independence in 1810, and Bolívar traveled to Britain on a diplomatic mission. Finally, Bolívar returned to Venezuela and began a campaign to take control of that country from the Spanish. He and his followers invaded Venezuela on May 14, 1813. Bolívar was hailed as El Libertador (The Liberator), though civil war soon erupted in the republic, forcing him to flee to Jamaica and seek foreign aid. There he wrote his famous "Letter From Jamaica," detailing his vision of a South American republic with a parliamentary setup modeled after England and a life-long president. In 1825, the "Republic of Bolivia" was created in honor of the inspirational leader, hailed by many as El Libertador. 6. What impact did the French Revolution and Napoleon have on Simon Bolivar and Venezuela's independence movement? 7. What impact did Bolívar have on South American independence movements?