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1. THE GREAT COLOMBIA
The Republica de Gran Colombia was founded in 1819 when Simon Bolivar fought for the
independence of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador from the Spanish. He joined all three countries
to make Gran Columbia. It had always been his goal to unite all of South America. If he had done
so, today it might be one of the strongest nations in the world. Bolivar could have united Peru and
other countries, but instead he hoped that they would unite on their own and make a stronger
republic. On December 17, 1819, Simon Bolivar, "El Libertador", was named president of the
republic and Santander as the vice president.
In August of 1819 Bolivar left to liberate Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia from the Spanish. He left
Santander in charge of the new nation. The battles were intense, but he was able to liberate Ecuador
in 1822. While Bolivar was gone, Venezuela started to revolt against Gran Colombia. In 1827 Bolivar
returned from Peru. When he got back, there were many conflicts between him and Santander. In
August of 1828 Bolivar tried to make a new constitution for Peru and Bolivia. People did not like the
idea. Later that year Venezuela separated from Gran Colombia and the following year Ecuador did
the same thing. In January of 1830, Bolivar resigned and appointed Jose Domingo Caicedo as
president. Later that year Bolivar died with his goal in life, to unite all of South America, not coming
true.
Government and Constitution
The government of Gran Colombia was divided into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
The legislature had four senators chosen by electors. The executive power was the president. The
president could only be president for four years. After the four years were up he could be re-elected.
The provision consisted of a vice-president, who was also elected by the electors, a council, one
justice of the supreme court, and the secretaries of state. The president got to choose the
secretaries of state and supreme court justices. The president and vice-president were indirectly
elected.
In 1822 a new constitution was written in Cucuta because Ecuador had just joined the republic. The
constitution was based on popular representation. The constitution guaranteed freedom for children
of slaves, freedom of the press, protection policies for industry and agriculture, and the abolition of
the mita system of labor. The constitution was mainly based on the United States constitution. It
also was adopted by Latin American constitutional assemblies. There was no mention of the Roman
Catholic Church in the constitution. The constitution was weakened by political jealousy. Venezuela
didn't like being ruled by Santander while Bolivar was away trying to liberate other countries.