The period between 1810 and 1816 in the Viceroyalty of New Granada (which includes present-day Colombia) is marked by such intense conflicts over the nature of the new government or governments that it becomes known as la Patria Boba (the Foolish Fatherland).
Constant fighting between federalists and centralists gives rise to a prolonged period of instability.
Similar developments can be seen at the same time in the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata.
Each province, and even some cities, sets up its own autonomous junta, which declare themselves sovereign from each other.
