The presidency of Simón Bolívar in the Third Republic of Venezuela (1816–1819) was constituted during the War of Independence against the Spanish Empire following the successful Guayana campaign.
The provisional capital of the country was Angostura. Defense policy included the reception of the British Legions for the war. At the legislative level, the Second Congress of Venezuela (Congress of Angostura) was held in 1819. Economic policy included the confiscation of property of royalists and their collaborators. The government's communication policy was featured in the newspaper Correo del Orinoco.
After the unification of Venezuela and New Granada, Bolívar continued his mandate, now as president of Gran Colombia.
Background The Guyana Campaign of 1816–1817 was the second campaign carried out by the Venezuelan patriots in the Venezuelan War of Independence in the Guayana region after the 1811–1812 campaign that had ended in disaster. The campaign was a great success for the republicans, who managed, after several battles, to expel all royalists from the region, thereby taking control of an area rich in natural resources and communication facilities that served as a base for launching campaigns to other regions of the country.
Domestic policy On May 6, 1816, Bolívar was proclaimed Supreme Chief of the Republic and its armies in Margarita by the assembly held there with Santiago Mariño, Juan Bautista Arismendi, Manuel Piar, Gregor McGregor, and Carlos Soublette.
Legislative policy
Congress of Angostura
Appointments The republic's leadership contained a Council of State. Bolívar appointed Francisco Antonio Zea councillor of state and finance, Luis Brión councillor of the navy and military, and Juan Martínez Alemán councillor of interior and justice.
Defense Simón Bolívar created by decree on September 24, 1817, the Divisional and Army General Staffs. On October 10 of that year, Bolívar decreed in Angostura the award of lands to military chiefs and soldiers of the war of independence. On October 13, it was guaranteed to the indigenous people that they would not be asked to perform compulsory service in exchange for being submissive and obedient.
Social policy Bolívar decreed the freedom of slaves on June 2, 1816.
Economics Simón Bolívar decreed on September 3, 1817, the confiscation of property of royalists and their collaborators; the estates and properties of the Capuchins and other missionaries, and the property seized from patriots by the Spanish government until the former owners appeared and it was determined whether their conduct had been patriotic. The Capuchins, fundamentally the Catalans, who were in Guayana, were accused of being royalists. In 1817, Bolívar decreed free trade in cattle and mules.
Media policy On June 27, 1818, the officialist weekly Correo del Orinoco was created.
Immigration On February 7, 1818, Simón Bolívar exempted foreigners from being enlisted in the national militia without their consent.
Foreign policy
British Empire
Spanish Empire
Campaign of the Center The Campaign of the Center was a military campaign undertaken by Simón Bolívar with the aim of conquering the city of Caracas.
Apure Campaign The Apure Campaign was a military campaign of the Venezuelan War of Independence fought in 1819.
New Granada Campaign
See also
Third Republic of Venezuela
References