Venezuelan Liberal and Conservative Parties History

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Factors in the Emergence of the Liberal Party

1) The following economic, social, and political factors determined the appearance of the Liberal Party:

• Coffee prices fell significantly.
• Imports decreased as the agricultural sector also declined.
• The exclusiveness of the ruling group had taken over the political government.
• Struggles against predatory lenders intensified.
• The desire to delete or reform commercial courts.

The Law of April 10, 1834 and Conservative Discontent

2) Why was the application of the Law of April 10, 1834, a source of discontent against the Conservatives?

• Conservatives believed they should not invest in the affairs of others and felt they did not have to intervene.
• They argued that usurers should be stopped; it was said then that in the economic range, the "liberals" were actually the Conservatives due to their laissez-faire approach.

Social Sectors Affected by the 1834 Law

3) To what social sectors did this Act cause harm? Why?

It harmed the landlords (latifundistas) because they requested loans and incurred debts that they subsequently could not pay.

Comparing Liberal and Conservative Ideologies

4) Compare the positions of Conservatives and Liberals regarding the following problems:

Slavery and Labor in 19th Century Venezuela

a) They viewed slaves as an asset during that epoch. Because Venezuelan labor was scarce and the process of formation was slow, the Conservatives believed it was not good for business to abolish slavery.

The Death Penalty and Social Control

b) The Liberals were in favor of abolishing the death penalty. In contrast, the Conservatives wanted to maintain the death penalty to maintain control over society through fear.

Universal Suffrage and Voting Rights

c) Regarding Universal Suffrage, the goal was for all Venezuelans over 21 (or 18 if married) to be able to vote. The Liberals wanted to implement the direct vote; however, the Conservatives did not agree and wanted to keep the indirect vote.

Centralism versus Federalism

d) Centralism and Federalism: The Liberals wanted Federalism and went in search of local caudillos, whereas the Conservatives were Centralists.

Economic Policy and State Intervention

e) The Liberals wanted to eliminate the commercial bank and were in favor of state intervention in the economy. In contrast, the Conservatives did not want state intervention.

Social and Political Characteristics of the Parties

6) Write the social and political characteristics of the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party.

The Liberal Party Profile

This party dealt with lower prices and lower imports, which led to a decrease in companies and the decline of agriculture and crops. They advocated for lower taxes for small farmers, as the human population was greatly exhausted.

The Conservative Party Profile

They were usurers, moneylenders, and monopolists of foreign trade. The bureaucracy was composed of public employees. Their social base was constituted by great caudillos and latifundistas linked to the government.

Key Figures in the Conservative Oligarchy

The Role of José Antonio Páez

7) What role did José Antonio Páez play in the conservative oligarchy?

He took the direction of the Republic and served as its leader.

Antonio Leocadio Guzmán and the Liberal Movement

8) What role did Antonio Leocadio Guzmán play in the formation and struggles of the Liberal Party?

He was a leader who had the possibility of winning the presidency of the Republic in 1846 through the effective use of advertising and the press.