Venezuelan Governments and Reforms: 1941–1958 Political History

Venezuelan Political Context Leading to 1941

The period leading up to 1941 saw significant institutional development, including:

• The creation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farming.
• Implementation of new policies regarding fiscal matters, trade, migration, and colonization.

Isaías Medina Angarita Government (1941–1945)

Isaías Medina Angarita, formerly Minister of War and Navy, was sworn in on April 19, 1941. His administration was characterized by very broad freedoms for the people and represented the most intense legislative period in Venezuela at the time. The government set out an economic development plan to be executed over four years, focusing on stimulating and supporting agriculture and animal husbandry.

Key Features of the Medina Angarita Administration

• On March 13, the new Oil Law was presented to Congress.
• Unification of all oil standards imposed by previous governments.
• Increased taxes and royalties on oil production.
• On July 23, 1941, the decree establishing ID card services for Venezuelan citizens was issued.
• Income tax was declared on July 10, 1942.

Constitutional Government of Rómulo Gallegos (1948)

Rómulo Gallegos was the first president democratically elected in Venezuela. He took office on February 15, 1948, but exercised the presidency for only nine months.

Key Features of the Gallegos Administration

• Achieved the duplication of revenues entering the national treasury.
• Planned to encourage European immigration into the country.
• Expanded the national network of communication channels.

Government of Marcos Pérez Jiménez (1953–1958)

Marcos Pérez Jiménez assumed the presidency on April 19, initiating his term with the slogan, the "New National Ideal," which promoted right-wing nationalism. His government faced intense criticism, notably exacerbated by a letter published by the Archbishop of Caracas, Rafael A. White, addressing the rights of the people and the need for change in government practices. Pressured by political forces and the armed forces, Pérez Jiménez resigned on January 23, 1958.

Key Features of the Pérez Jiménez Dictatorship

• Suppression of democratic rights and freedoms.
• Economically, the new policy of government grants and concessions was prominent.
• Strong military influence in governance.
• Prevalence of cronyism and nepotism.

The Educational Situation in Venezuela (1830)

Education was severely underdeveloped. Initially, there were only the University of Caracas and the University of Mérida, alongside Colombian National Schools. Significant decrees were issued to improve the system:

• Establishment of a primary education entity.
• Mandate for free and compulsory primary instruction.
• Regulation of printing textbooks for primary schools.
• Division of schools into federal and sectional categories.

The National Library was also created during this period.

Reforms by Antonio Guzmán Blanco

Antonio Guzmán Blanco reorganized the Central University and encouraged the study of science. His initiatives included the creation of:

• The School of Fine Arts.
• The Museum of Natural History.
• The Venezuelan Academy of Literature.
• Normal schools (teacher training).

He also sponsored sending young people abroad for further preparation. However, the political instability of the nineteenth century hindered overall progress.

In the twentieth century, education suffered setbacks, including the closure of various institutions. Nevertheless, several new institutes were established in the later years of the century.

Constitutional Changes in Venezuela (1936–1947)

Key constitutional reforms enacted during this period included:

• Election system became universal, direct, and secret.
• Right to vote extended to all citizens over 18 years old.
• Establishment of democracy as the unique system of government.
• Enshrinement of the rights of all Venezuelans.
• Establishment of the female vote.
• Change of the presidential term length to five years.