Bolívar's Leadership and the Struggle for American Independence

Bolívar emerged as a leader during the campaign for emancipation in 1813. With 70 men, he built an army of experienced officers. They followed him with confidence, each knowing what was expected in skill and courage. The civilian population also began to contribute to the common defense. These masses, who once formed the First Republic, became soldiers who fought in the plains, at sea level, and in the mountains, learning to fight on the battlefield itself.

From that moment, despite defeats, betrayals, and disappointments, there were significant victories, adhesions, and unwavering faith in the triumph of an ideal: the absolute independence of America.

However, at this stage, the lack of national consciousness and the remoteness of the ideology of independence resulted in regionalism. This regionalism was an expression of the phenomenon of the caudillo, another typical expression of the War of Independence and the disintegration of social, political, and cultural structures established during the colony.

The victories of Bolívar and Marino in the Admirable Campaign and the campaign to liberate the East led to the integration of patriots from the east and center. However, this lack of unity would contribute to the failure of the Second Republic.

This lack of unity among the patriots, which led to anarchy and prevented them from uniting behind a leader, was a problem Bolívar faced throughout his existence.

The main leaders despised each other, each believing that their version of the patriot cause deserved the support of everyone else.

What distinguished Bolívar from other patriotic leaders was his continental vision of America. This vision transcended local interests, and he was willing to sacrifice the interests of anyone, including himself, to make this vision a reality.

Regionalism, as an expression of the phenomenon of the caudillo, was another typical expression of the Revolutionary War and the disintegration of social, political, and cultural structures established during the colony.

The victories of Bolívar and Marino in the Admirable Campaign and the campaign to liberate the East led to the integration of patriots from the east and center. However, this lack of unity would contribute to the failure of the Second Republic.

This lack of unity among the patriots, which led to anarchy and prevented them from uniting behind a leader, was a problem Bolívar faced throughout his existence.

The main leaders despised each other, each believing that their version of the patriot cause deserved the support of everyone else.

What distinguished Bolívar from other patriotic leaders was his continental vision of America. This vision transcended local interests, and he was willing to sacrifice the interests of anyone, including himself, to make this vision a reality.