Simon Bolivar founded the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1819, uniting Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador after gaining their independence from Spain. This union was approved by Congress. However, the extensive territory and lack of communication made administration difficult. Cultural and geographic differences between the countries also hindered a shared national identity. As Bolivar fought to liberate other countries, Venezuela revolted. After his return, political conflicts increased and Venezuela and Ecuador separated from Gran Colombia in 1829 and 1830. Bolivar's goal of a united South America went unfulfilled as the nation dissolved after his death.

1. GREAT COLOMBIA
1819 - 1830

2. 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.
This union of countries was approved in a Congress held in the Venezuelan city of
Angostura.

3. 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.

4. 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 fight.
For this, Bolívar undertook the military campaign, the independence of Venezuela was
achieved in 1821 in the battle of Carabobo and Ecuador in 1822 with the battle of Pichincha.

5. In 1821, a congress was held in Cúcuta city, to prepare the Constitution of La Gran
Colombia. This Congress is known as the Cúcuta Congress, was named Bolívar as
president and Santander as vice president. While Bolivar was gone, Venezuela started to
revolt against Gran Colombia. In 1827 Bolivar returned from Peru.

6. 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.

7. 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 (This means that it was granted the right to vote for men
over 21 years of age.)

8. 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.

9. 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 (gave freedom to newborn children of slaves,
when they turned 18 years of age.), freedom of the press (express), freedom of religion,
protection policies for industry and agriculture, and the abolition of the mita system of
labor.

10. 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.

11. • Education was proposed that in each province, would be an elementary school in
every town or village.
• Between 1821 and 1827, 16 schools were built, until then, just there were five
educational institutions.
• The Government tried to create, although with little success, new universities that
weren´t under the power by religious communities.

12. The extensive territory and the lack of communication channels made
administration difficult in remote regions of Bogotá, facilitated the appearance
of regional leaders who promoted separatist movements.
The cultural and geographical differences between the countries that were part
of La Gran Colombia made it impossible for the inhabitants of each region to
feel members of the same nation. This was made worse with the confrontation
between centralists and Federalists.

13. FEDERALISM
-Establishment of provincial governments.
- Formation of provincial laws and
congresses that dictate exclusively for
their territories.
- Separation of all provinces of the
country, which can establish their own
constitutions.
- Creation of armies in each province.
CENTRALISM
-Establishment of a central government.
- Formation of a Congress that dictates
the laws for the entire territory.
- Unification of all provinces around
a single constitution.
- Creation of a single national army.

14. Although Bolívar tried to keep Great Colombia, could not prevent Venezuela, under the
command of José Antonio Páez, separated in1829, and that Ecuadorians, with Juan José
Flores, follow his example in 1830.
Bolívar died, at the age of 47 in the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, near Santa Marta,
on December 17, 1830.