Simon+Bolivar

Simon Bolivar Aim: Simon Bolivar had two goals during his adult life, one being to liberate the Latin American people from Spanish control, and more than that to unify them. He accomplished his first goal, leading Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. He did succeed in uniting some of these into a single country, then known as Gran Columbia, but it was a fragile, unstable country. He himself can be quoted as saying "I swear before you, I swear on the God of my parents; I swear on them; I swear on my honor and I swear on my country that I shall not give rest to my arm nor respite to my soul until I have broken the chains that oppress us by the will of the Spanish power. (Bolivar1)" He was dedicated to his cause, and would not rest until his goals were complete. He succeeded in the aspect that he became President of Venezuela, Gran Columbia, Bolivia, and Peru, all countries he led to independence from Spain. However, these nations he freed and created were not ready to fulfill his second dream. At times some fought with each other, and this caused some, like Gran Columbia, to disappear altogether. However, until this day, some hold his dream for a united Latin American, and it is possible his dream may become a reality someday.

"Simón Bolívar." Bio. A&E Television Networks. Biography.com, 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

"Talk: Simon Bolivar" Wiki. Wikiquote.com, 2015. Web 22 Feb. 2015.

Audience: During his life, Bolivar had a particular people in mind, the population of South America. He vowed to make them free, making movements towards that. The Simon Bolivar Foundation says of him on their website "Much like Washington, he is honored throughout the Americas with monuments and place names that stand as testaments to his great works. (SBF)" Up to this day, many throughout the Americas revere him, with a foundation in his name "liberating" people of illnesses, poverty, and other issues they may face. After his death, his messages were brought to attention of those throughout the globe, one of freedom, including in the very country he fought against, Spain. He himself drew admiration from George Washington, and while he was an audience for Washington, soon enough took the stage with him and became one to have an audience himself.

"About Simon Bolivar." Simon Bolivar Foundation. Simon Bolivar Foundation.org, 1 Jan. 2005. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.:

"Simón Bolívar." Bio. A&E Television Networks. Biography.com, 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

Historical: Simon Bolivar was born on July 24, 1783, and died on December 17, 1830. During those years, he went from being born in a world power's empire, to dying in a country he helped found. However, his supposedly last words were "The three biggest fools in history have been Jesus Christ, Don Quixote, and me. (Bolivar)" However, this can be disputed by many, as he did what many thought was impossible. He took on a world power, the Empire of Spain, and freed its South American territories and led them to independence and some to success. In his time, he freed Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, all the countries now compromising Gran Columbia, and some other regions in other countries. However, when it seemed his dream of uniting all of South America seemed to be falling apart, he took drastic measures to save it. He declared himself a dictator and ironically became the very thing he fought to destroy. Seeing this, he decided to go on self-imposed exile to Europe, but died of tuberculosis before he could leave his beloved South America.

"Talk: Simon Bolivar" Wiki. Wikiquote.com, 2015. Web 22 Feb. 2015.

"Simón Bolívar." Bio. A&E Television Networks. Biography.com, 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

Cultural: Simon Bolivar, and his legacy, are very influential to this day, not just in South America, but all over the globe. His name covers many streets, schools, and statues through out the Americas, as well as Egypt, Romania, Australia, and many more nations. His name is even in areas in Spain, the very nation he fought. As Scott S Smith, a writer specialized in exotic subjects, says "But to Latin Americans, Bolivar remains immortal, one of the greatest military leaders in the history of the entire world. (Smith)" He is the namesake for many high schools in Venezuela, and many in the United States revere him, even when Bolivar despised the country. Equestrian statues of him can be seen all over the globe, and a school in Romania is named after him. However, one of the biggest remains of his influence can be seen in South America. The nation of Bolivia is named after him, and Columbia, once part of Gran Columbia, kept its name to honor him.

"Simón Bolívar." Bio. A&E Television Networks. Biography.com, 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

"Talk: Simon Bolivar" Wiki. Wikiquote.com, 2015. Web 22 Feb. 2015.

Smith, Scott S. "Biography of Simon Bolivar." Military Heritage.MilitaryHeritage.com n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.