A congress convoked by the junta on…

1811 CE

A congress convoked by the junta on July 5, 1811, declares Venezuelan independence from Spain.

Miranda assumes command of the army and leadership of the junta.

A constitution, dated December 21, 1811, marks the official beginning of Venezuela's First Republic.

Known commonly by Venezuelan historians as La Patria Boba, the Silly Republic, Venezuela's first experiment at independence suffers from myriad difficulties from the outset.

The cabildos of three major cities—Coro, Maracaibo, and Guayana—preferring to be governed by Joseph Bonaparte rather than by the Caracas cabildo, never accept independence from Spain.

The First Republic's leadership, furthermore, distrusts Miranda and deprives him of the powers necessary to govern effectively until it is too late.

Most damaging, however, is the initial failure of the Caracas criollo elite insurgents to recognize the need for popular support for the cause of independence.

Venezuela's popular masses, particularly the pardos, do not relish being governed by the white elite of Caracas and therefore remain loyal to the crown.

Thus, a racially defined civil war underlies the early years of the long independence struggle in Venezuela.

Locations
Caracas Distrito Federal Venezuela View →

People
Ferdinand VII of Spain View → Francisco de Miranda View → Joseph Bonaparte View → Juan Domingo de Monteverde View → Napoleon View → Simón Bolívar View →

Groups
Basque people View → Christians, Roman Catholic View → Franciscans, or Order of St. Francis View → Spaniards (Latins) View → Spain, Habsburg Kingdom of View → Capuchin, Order of Friars Minor View → Canary Islanders View → Britain, Kingdom of Great View → Guipuzcoan Company of Caracas View → New Granada, Viceroyalty of View → Venezuela, Captaincy General of View →

Topics
Colonization of the Americas, Spanish View → Spanish American wars of independence View → Venezuelan War of Independence View →

Commodities
Hides and feathers View → Domestic animals View → Grains and produce View → Slaves View → Fuels, lubricants and sealants View → Stimulants View → Tobacco View →

Subjects
Commerce View → Labor and Service View → Conflict View → Exploration View → Faith View → Government View →

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