Libertadores
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Libertadores (Spanish and Portuguese for "Liberators") refers to the principle leaders of the Latin American wars of independence from Spain and Portugal.
They were largely bourgeois, Criollos (local-born people of European, mostly of Spanish or Portuguese, ancestry) influenced by liberalism and in most cases with military training in the metropole (mother country).
The most prominent Libertadores were Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, who had a famous meeting in Guayaquil in 1822, where they discussed their efforts of the past few years and the future of South America. They played a crucial part in the liberation and independence of most South American countries. Bolivar acted in the north liberating Venezuela, New Granada and Quito, and San Martín secured the independence of Argentina by liberating Chile and Peru.
Other prominent Libertadores include José Gervasio Artigas (Uruguay), Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile), José Miguel Carrera (Chile), Manuel Belgrano (Argentina) and Antonio José de Sucre (Venezuela), Joaquin Olmedo (Ecuador), who played an important role in a more local fashion.
Others also referenced to as libertadores in different contexts include Francisco de Miranda (usually called a precursor of independence), Manuel Rodríguez (Chile), and independence supporters and idealists such as José Bonifácio (Brazil), Eugenio Espejo, (Ecuador), Juan Pablo Duarte (Dominican Republic), and José Martí (Cuba).
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[edit] Legacy
The flags of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador follow Francisco de Miranda's design of 1806. Also, Bolivia was named after Bolivar, who in turn was president of Colombia, Bolivia and twice of Venezuela. San Martín served as "President Protector" of Peru.
Liberators' names were used all over South America to name anything from towns and places to institutions and sports clubs. Also, the most prestigious international club football competition in South America is named the Copa Libertadores in their honour.
[edit] List of Libertadores
- Simón Bolívar (Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia)
- José de San Martín (Argentina, Chile and Peru)
- Pedro I (Brazil)
- Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile, Peru)
- José Miguel Carrera (Chile)
- José Gervasio Artigas (Uruguay)
- Antonio José de Sucre (Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia)
- Ramon Castilla (Peru)
[edit] External links
- (Spanish) "Sucre, Bolívar y San Martín" Argentine Ministry of Economy
[edit] Bibliography
- Robert Harvey. Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for Independence. Woodstock, The Overlook Press, 2000. ISBN 1-58567-072-3
- Marion Lansing. Liberators and Heroes of South America. Boston, L. C. Page & Co., 1940.
- Irene Nicholson. The Liberators: A Study of Independence Movements in Spanish America. New York, Frederick A. Praeger, 1968.
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