Venezuelan History: Falcón & Guzmán Blanco Eras

Posted on Mar 11, 2025 in History

Constitutional Government of Juan Crisóstomo Falcón (1864-1868)

Among the most notorious events of his government are:

  • The new loan from Europe to meet urgent demands.
  • The order of payment of salaries to all soldiers of the Federation.
  • Solemn funeral rites decreed to the memory of General Ezequiel Zamora and the execution of the new Constitutional Charter of the country.

Financial Situation

The financial situation reached a climax; there was a time when there was no money to pay official salaries. Even members of Congress were forced not to attend to avoid spending urgently needed money.

Social Situation

The social situation was no better. Federalism became a feud, in which the heads of political vendettas were discarding the most valuable elements of the Republic.

Military-Political Situation

The military-political situation of the country was untenable. To complement the evils, there was great irresponsibility on the part of senior government employees.

This agreement was not accepted by Monagas, accentuating the subversive movement. Various groups of malcontents organized around the old general of Independence and former president of the Republic.

Late 1868

In late 1868, general elections were held, as envisaged by the constitution. General José Tadeo Monagas was elected President, garnering 180,000 votes from eleven states.

Other Drawbacks

Other drawbacks of this same government had endured in the East, where José Loreto Arismendi and Domingo and José Monagas, relatives of the chief magistrate, rose up.

Antonio Guzmán Blanco’s Government

The most important events in this period of government were:

  • a. Total control of the situation after seizing Puerto Cabello on May 12, 1870, reducing the recently fallen government.
  • b. Meeting in Valencia of the Congress of Plenipotentiaries on July 11, 1870, in which Antonio Guzmán Blanco was proclaimed president of the Republic, along with generals Matías and Ignacio Salazar Pulido.

Other Important Findings

  • The organization of the Federal High Court of Cassation.
  • The responsibility to pay state debts to workers who had rallied to the revolution.
  • The reorganization of the university.
  • The establishment of redemption census.
  • The creation of the Conservatory of Fine Arts.

Key Events of Guzmancismo (The Septenio)

There are four events of great importance occurring in the Septenio of Guzmancismo; they are (characteristics):

  • The issuance of the decree on Public Education, free and compulsory, on June 27, 1870.
  • The creation of the National Bureau of Statistics on January 9, 1871.
  • The publication of the first Journal of the Republic.
  • The promulgation of the Constitution of 1874.

Guzmán Blanco, in his annual government, was an autocrat. He severely punished political enemies, as was seen in the slaying of his former ally.

The Revolution

The Revolution had a fleeting moment of demands with great success; it soon was dominant over Caracas. The government army was entrenched in Victoria but was overrun by the rebels, who entered Caracas on February 13, 1878.

Most Important Aspects of the Five Years

  • The establishment of favorable economic measures, such as removing the trade intermediary sustained with Cuba.
  • The replacement of that trade by 30% West Indian.
  • The proposition of free trade and the establishment of economic protectionism.
  • The establishment of the Bolívar as the country’s monetary unit.
  • The expansion of communication routes in our rivers.
  • The initiation of work on the Caracas-La Guaira railroad.
  • The completion of the railway between Valencia and Puerto Cabello.

Most Important Event of the Five Years

The most important event in this Guzmancista administration was undoubtedly the centenary of the birth of the Liberator, which was celebrated with great festivities.

Most Important Aspects (Swiss)

  • The creation of a Federal Council composed of one senator and one congressman from each state.
  • The first judge lasted two years in office, and other officials, four years.
  • The establishment of the Court of Cassation.
  • The reorganization of the Republic into nine States, preserving, of course, their sovereignty and independence.