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The 'First Republic of Venezuela' (''Primera República de Venezuela'' in Spanish) was founded by Simón Bolívar in 1811 during the Venezuelan War of Independence from Spain. The republic was notable for being the first Spanish-American colony to declare its independence.

Contents

History

Civil War

See also

History

On April 19, 1810, Govenor Vicente Emparán of Caracas in the Viceroyalty of New Granada was overthrown. Shortly thereafter, Venezuela declared itself to have a junta governing in the name of the deposed King Ferdinand VII, called The Supreme Council Conservative of the Rights of Fernando VII (''La Suprema Junta Conservadora de los Derechos de Fernando VII'' in Spanish). On July 5, 1811, a congress convened by the junta declared Venezuelan independence from Spain. Francisco de Miranda assumed command of the army and leadership of the junta. On December 21, 1811, a constitution was adopted. Venezuela became independent in 1810.

Civil War

Though the junta declared independence, the provinces of Coro, Maracaibo, and Guayana remained loyal to Joseph Bonaparte, appointed King of Spain by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808. The junta in Caracas was led by ''criollos'', and was not able to appeal to the lower classes. The junta did not have much power in the newly declared republic and plunged into civil war in 1812. Spanish General Juan Domingo Monteverde lead the Spanish forces into the republic to crush the rebellion, and the divided Venezuela fell. On July 25, 1812, General Miranda surrendered to the Spanish.

See also

★ Second Republic of Venezuela

★ Greater Colombia