Simón Bolívar’s Formative Years and Ideology
Education
Simón Bolívar participated intensely in the intellectual world of his epoch, thanks to favorable circumstances. Being part of the Creole aristocracy allowed him, from childhood, the opportunity to access classical culture and attend scenarios where important historical facts of Bolívar’s time developed. His school performance was not very bright as a student at the Public School, an institution run by the Caracas City Council that functioned poorly due to a lack of organization and resources. Fearing living with his teacher, Simón escaped from his uncle’s house on July 23, 1795, to take refuge with his sister, María Antonia, who exercised temporary custody until the court case was resolved in the Royal Audiencia of Caracas, which returned custody of Simón to Don Carlos.
Teachers
His teachers included:
- Francisco A. Carrasco
- Fernando Vides
- José Antonio Negrete
- Guillermo Pelgrón
- Father Sojo (music)
- Simón Rodríguez
- Andrés Bello
- Fray Francisco de Andújar
Travels
His first trip was to Mexico, then to Havana and Madrid. After finally marrying, he returned to Venezuela, and then returned to Europe after being widowed to seek new horizons. Thereafter, he was in Cádiz and Madrid, and settled in Paris in the spring of 1804. On the Sacred Mount (Rome), he delivered his famous oath on August 15, 1805. Upon hearing of the death of his uncle, Carlos Palacios y Blanco, in Venezuela, Bolívar decided to return to Paris and Europe. His stay in Europe ended when he embarked from the port of Hamburg for America, but before reaching his homeland, he visited the great cities of the United States. He returned to Venezuela, arriving on June 19, 1807. He traveled as a Republican representative of the London city government in 1819; he remained there for six weeks and was then sent to England.
Importance of Travels
The journey itself, his presence in Europe during times of deep political change, and his direct contact with a changing social and cultural world contributed to his self-preparation and his ideological formation, especially through his encounter with Rodríguez.
His Books
From infancy, Bolívar was accustomed to reading, and his parents worried about his studies at home, where they had a good library. Among the many books in the house’s library were:
- 15 volumes of The Spectacle of Nature by Abbé Pluche
- 13 volumes of Historia de España (History of Spain)
- 7 comedies by Calderón
- 18 volumes by Father Feijoo
- 13 volumes on military orders
The Political Bolívar
Bolívar was a creator and a driver of peoples. He conceived the American Revolution organically, which, as a project, would have to follow several paths:
Political Emancipation
This involved breaking ties with the Spanish Crown, giving birth to a new entity, conquering liberty, and achieving autonomy.
Economic Aims
This aimed to substitute the agrarian structure with wage labor, establish a monetary regime, ensure the fair distribution of goods for economic independence, and promote land endowment for workers, tending toward the nationalization of mineral wealth.
Social Aims
He advocated for the abolition of slavery and privileges. His goal was to vindicate human dignity, eliminate social differences, redeem the Indians, free the blacks, and rise above the mixed-race population.
Juridical Aims
This involved conceiving American law.
Historical Aims
This meant the revolution resulting in America’s entry into the universal order.
Mental Traits
Bolívar’s objectivity was characterized by two aspects: self-awareness and equanimity.
Moral Figure
He appreciated the ethical training staff had on his conduct and its social repercussions. His nobility of spirit and eagerness for justice meant detachment, generosity, gratitude, and friendship.
Physical Characteristics
He had a high forehead, with wrinkles formed early in life; thick and long eyebrows; a perfect nose; prominent cheekbones; sunken cheeks; an ugly mouth with thick lips; beautiful white teeth; large ears; thin, black, curly hair; and somewhat rough whiskers and mustache. His skin was brown, and his height was 5 feet 6 inches (English measure), with a thin body and narrow chest.