In 1783 Simon Bolivar was born into a wealthy family, shaded from daily struggles that most people faced
growing up at the time in South America. Though he did not oppose it at the time, Bolivar, despite his
apparent good fortune, was still subject to Spanish rule. Both parents dying between his ages of three and
nine, Bolivar was tutored only a few years later by a man named Simon Rodriguez, a political thinking from
whom Bolivar would grasp his first ideas of Republican ideals.
Having little military training, Bolivar decides to travel to spain to complete his education at the turn of
the century. In 1802 he returns home to Venezuela newly married. Only one year later does his wife pass
away, leading to Bolivar's famous statement that if his wife had not died, he probably would have led a
quiet life. From this death, a new rebublic's life would be indirectly spawned.
Two years later Bolivar and his teacher, Rodriguez, traveled to Italy. Much time was spent discussing
Spanish-American Independece, even so far as to have Bolivar join hands with his two companions at the time
and promise his homeland's independece. The next few years brought about sweeping political change and many
hardfought battles.
Venezuela entered into what can only be described as a Civil War. Bolivar, having become part of the
liberation army seized Caracas, overthrowing the unwanted Spanish. Knowing there was more blood to be
spilled, Bolivar looked to Britain for support but got nothing but a gesture of neutrality. This would
prove troublesome for Bolivar, establishing himself as a leader in the patriot army. Short of supplies and
manpower, Bolvar and his forces were forced into recession. They fled for Columbia, then again into
Jamaica. After that, however, history decided to enjoy Bolivar's company. In a series of victories over
the Spanish, Bolivar marched his army all the way back to Venezuela and sacked the city of Angostura.
There, Bolivar established a government supporting the revolution taking place. He was even elected
president of the new Rebublic of Columbia and became the first president of Bolivia (named after him upon
being granted its independence from Spain).
Simon Bolivar was a true leader in that his motives were received by the people and he managed to overcome
the oppressing power of the Spanish time and again. Even through defeat and shortcommings, Bolivar managed
to rise above and retake his homeland, accomplishing what he vowed to do so many years before. Among the
territories he liberated were Bolivia, Peru, Panama, Ecuador, Columbia, and his homeland Venezuela. Without
his leadership and persistance South America would likely never have fallen out of Spanish rule and the
masses still rid themselves of, for lack of a better word, enslavement.
Part B:
Fictional speech given by Simon Bolivar to his fellow patriot soldiers:
"A new republic is what we need, men. And a new republic is what we will fight for. The Spanish have taken
our homeland from us, and not for the first time. But this time, together, we will fight and gain her back!
Venezuela is to be a free land while I live and breathe, and I ask you to stand by me while we face her
captors. Think of your families, your children, your homes that we have been driven from. They may have
forced us back, but they will not keep us! Everyday we rally more support, and everyday we liberate more
lands. It is time to start our way back toward Venezuela and retake what is rightfully ours!"