Venezuelan Oligarchies, Federal War, and Social Classes (1830-1863)
Part I: Venezuelan Oligarchies
a) The Conservative Oligarchy
The term oligarchy refers to a government controlled by a powerful group. In Venezuela, General Páez was the most influential political and military figure. The Conservatives, primarily large landowners and military leaders, ruled Venezuela from 1830 to 1847. They were gradually removed from power after conflicts with President Monagas, culminating in their defeat in January 1848.
b) The Liberal Oligarchy
From March 1847 to March 1858, Venezuela was governed by the Monagas brothers, José Tadeo and José Gregorio. This period was characterized by a liberal ideology promoted by intellectuals who sought to establish a capitalist system based on free markets and a republican government. José Tadeo Monagas won the 1848-1857 presidential term due to Páez’s support and electoral fraud. Despite Páez’s expectations, Monagas strengthened his power by allying with Liberal Party members, sidelining Páez and appointing his own supporters to public office.
c) The Federal War
The Federal War, also known as the Five-Year War, took place in Venezuela between 1859 and 1863. It was primarily a political struggle between federalism and centralism, leading to armed conflict and political instability. This war was a result of the fight for social equality and the elimination of colonial privileges. Despite five years of fighting, only two major battles occurred: Santa Inés (1859) and Coplé (1860). It is considered the most devastating conflict for Venezuela after its independence.
d) The Landowners
Landowners were a social class of white Creoles who held significant power in the republic after 1830. They had more political influence than during the colonial period, controlling land, property, and municipal power.
e) The Commercial Bourgeoisie
The commercial bourgeoisie was a class that controlled the means of production through buying and selling goods and services. During the oligarchic period, they, along with the landowners, were the only ones allowed to vote and enjoyed all the benefits in the country. They maintained a monopoly over natural resources in exchange for marketing European products. This led to the landowners and farmers regaining power in 1899 with a national program to control customs and protect the domestic market.
Part II: Social Dynamics and Legal Framework
a) The Performance of Slaves (1830-1858)
During both the conservative and liberal oligarchies, inequality persisted for slaves. The conservative oligarchy treated slaves as mere labor, while the liberal oligarchy, starting in 1848, offered slaves small pieces of land and eventually abolished slavery. The law stated that any child born to a slave was free and could choose their path. This was done to improve labor conditions and productivity, as slaves were accustomed to their roles and feared a new life.
b) Abolition of Slavery During the Liberal Oligarchy
The abolition of slavery was the annulment of laws that prevented a person from being free. The Monagas government sought to improve the labor of slaves by proposing perpetual freedom and the end of slave deliveries. Despite this, many people remained dependent on those with economic power and could not achieve total freedom.
c) The Constitution of 1830 and Current Legal Authorities
The 1830 constitution established three powers: legislative, executive, and judicial. Currently, there are five legal powers, with the addition of the citizen and electoral powers. These were added to maintain democracy and allow the population to feel more protected from abuses by other legal bodies.
d) & e) Ezequiel Zamora’s Role in the Federal War
Ezequiel Zamora, a founder of the liberal oligarchy, opposed the actions of the conservative landlord José Antonio Páez. His role in the Federal War was based on the pursuit of freedom and equality, which was not present in Venezuelan society at the time. He was against the unequal distribution of land and the misery of freed slaves. The Liberals, known as Federalists, sought autonomy for the provinces.
f) The Basis of the 1830 Constitution
The 1830 constitution aimed to create a free and united Venezuela. It was formed by deputies from various provinces and abandoned the romantic language of previous years. It established that all Venezuelans could elect and be elected to public office if they met certain criteria (literacy, land ownership, income, age, or marriage). The territory was divided into provinces, cantons, and parishes for better management, and the legislative, executive, and judicial powers were modified.