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Abstract:
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The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence was the product of both local politics and international revolutionary forces. Though patriotic forces in Venezuela had opposed Spanish rule for decades, it was not until revolutions erupted in North America and Europe that the political environment in Venezuela enabled its Declaration of Independence. When France overran Spain in 1810, those who supported Venezuelan independence created a provisional government since there no longer existed any Spanish authority requiring their loyalty. Hoping to protect itself from possible Spanish retaliation, this Junta sent Colonel Simón Bolívar and Luis López Méndez to London to request English protection. While England's alliance with Spain in opposition to France would not allow it to support the Junta, this mission did allow Bolívar to meet the exile Francisco de Miranda, who had led earlier (unsuccessful) independence movements in Venezuela. Bolívar convinced him to return to Venezuela and together they rallied great support for independence among the people of Venezuela. In March of 1811 the Junta dissolved and the first Venezuelan Congress, which was intended to be a more representative governing body, convened. One of the first issues it considered was the independence movement, which soon triumphed. Falling a day short of their goal to coincide with U.S. independence, on July 5th, 1811 Venezuela declared its independence from Spain. |