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Men from around Italy came together and decided to call all of themselves Italians

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Ruled by Spanish for centuries, revolution with countless deaths/battles spanning over 15 years

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History of the Holidays: Aug 6th, Bolivian Independence Day

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With the aid of the British the Haiten rebels forced colonial authorities to surrender

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The Haitian Revolution and Its Causes | World History Project

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Simon Bolivar was a man who started South American revolution and wanted independence from Spain. He refused to join sides with rebel armies, because he declared his own self to be the sole defender of the throne, in the region.

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Bolivian Independence, achieved after centuries of Spanish colonial rule, was a process that spanned more than 15 years, from 1809 to 1825, and involved numerous battles and countless deaths. The struggle for independence started locally and later Simon Bolivar and Antonio Jose de Sucre gave cohesiveness to a fragmented and unorganized cause.

Ultimately, this new and independent country, Bolivia, would get its name from the Simon Bolivar, the military and political leader that changed the course of Colonial South America. Bolivia during the 18th century was known as Upper Peru and as was an autonomous region dependant on the Viceroyalty of Peru. Local government was the responsibility of the Royal Audience directed by a President.

This Audience was known as the Audiencia de Charcas. As was the case in other places, the Spanish overseers were widely ignorant of the situation of the people and considered themselves superior to the indigenous people. It was not uncommon for these Oidores to make the people bow to them. In 1776 a reorganization of territories was ordered by Spain and Upper Peru joined the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata against the wishes of the Viceroyalty of Peru-which would stand to lose valuable natural resources and the money that would come with them.

This would bitterly divide the relationship between these two regions. Further dividing the bases of power was the implementation of the intendancy system that subdivided the power of Viceroy and created internal power struggles between Intendants and Viceroys. At the start of the 19th century, a perfect storm of circumstances came together to fan the flames of independence in South America.

In 1807, Napoleon invaded Spain in a quest to increase his empire. This created an enormous vacuum of power and oversight in South America permitting the independence movements to begin their fight in earnest while the Spanish Monarchy was distracted with its own problems back home.The first wave of nationalist uprisings in Bolivia occurred in 1809 when the government juntas of Charcas and La Paz were formed as a reaction to the events in Spain-the chaotic, almost anarchic, situation in Spain was duplicating itself in Bolivia.

The junta in Charcas was created by the removal of the President, Ramon Garcia Leon de Pizarro, by the Audience because the Spanish Oidores suspected him of wanting to join with Portugal. The representatives of the Monarchy decided to convert Upper Peru into a junta that would remain loyal to Spain in spirit while isolating itself politically from the other surrounding regions including the Viceroyalty of Peru. In La Paz, the junta there was an effort to break free from Spanish rule altogether and wanting complete independence from any European power. These juntas ended up being short-lived, however, and soon fell back under Spanish control thanks to the intervention of the Viceroy of Peru and the better equipped Royalists easily defeated the nationalists, who were lacking in money, resources and military experience.The defeat of the juntas did not mark the end of the independence movement; they constituted an important part of the history of Bolivia. The juntas were able to promote and encourage the independence movement which was kept alive by a six guerrilla armies that formed away from the cities and took control of various regions of Bolivia.

In 1810, these six breakaway regions would come to be known as republiquetas (little republics) and each were headed by a caudillo (military leader or dictator). These regions had little or no influence in the surrounding areas but were strong enough to withstand any interference by the royalist forces for more than 15 years.With the American war of independence still fresh in the mind of the world; especially in South America which was subject to Colonial Spanish rule, people began to question the legitimacy of colonial occupation. In 1807, a South American aristocrat and liberal thinker had just returned from his travels in Europe.

In Venezuela, this man, Simon Bolivar was beginning a revolution of South American independence from Spain. His struggle would take him all over South America and his cause gained followers every day that passed. After having liberated Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, Bolivar was now close to liberating Peru in 1821. In Upper Peru, following 1817, there was relative calm with the power of the caudillos and the Viceroy of Peru reaching a point of equilibrium. In 1820 this equilibrium was broken with the conservative general, Pedro Antonio de Olañeta, refusing to recognize the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and breaking away from the Viceroyalty of Peru. He also refused to join the rebel armies of Bolivar that were beginning to approach Upper Peru as he considered himself "the only defender of the throne and altar" in the region. With the fall of Peru to Bolivar, the next he set his sights on was Upper Peru.

In the latter half of 1823 the forces of Bolivar crossed Bolivia and on December 9, 1824, the rebel forces under the command of Antonio Jose de Sucre defeated the royalist army in the Battle of Ayacucho.The remaining royalist forces were easily defeated at El Callao but there remained one last military obstacle: General Olañeta. As the last holdout, he attempted to surrender Upper Peru to Brazil in the last ditch effort to maintain Spanish control in the area but to no avail. In one final battle on April 9, 1825, Olañeta and Sucre met on the battlefield. Olañeta's troops now knowing that defeat would be their destiny murdered Olañeta on the battlefield and surrendered to the rebel army.

Spain's last outpost in South America was now lost forever. A constitutional congress was summoned and on August 6, 1825, to create a new Magna Carta as well as a name to this newly independent country Bolivia in honor of the aristocrat turned liberator, Simon Bolivar. From August 12 to December 29, 1825, Bolivar led Bolivia on the path to democracy and independence and after he stepped down fellow war hero, Antonio Jose de Sucre would continue in the presidency.

Today, Bolivia's Independence Day is now celebrated every year on 6th August. Celebrations are held throughout the country and it is a common sight to see schoolchildren parading through the streets in their school uniforms while proudly carrying the Bolivian flag.

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Bolivian Independence - History of Bolivia - don Quijote

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Bolivian Independence. From August 12 to December 29, 1825, Simon Bolivar led Bolivia on the path to democracy and independence.

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Boukman was an early leader who was brought from Africa to Haiti as a slave. He was a voodoo priest. He had secret meetings with other slaves planning a rebellion. He was killed by the French.

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He led successful military campaigns and supported Italian unification his whole life. Was supported by the pope to unite Italy. Was appointed general. Was a republican but he was willing to sacrifice those ideas if it meant Italian unification brought his ideas to the king who helped him unite.

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Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882). Garibaldi was a central figure in the Nineteenth Century movement for Italian unification. Garibaldi became an international figure synonymous with promoting national independence and republican ideals. He led successful military campaigns in both Latin America and Europe and became known as the 'hero of two worlds'. His efforts in Italy played a very significant role in leading to Italian unification.
Early life Garibaldi

Garibaldi was born 4 July 1807 in Nice, France. His family were fishermen and coastal traders, and for 10 years he served as a sailor himself. In 1833, he served in the Navy of Piedmont-Sardinia. During a voyage to Russia, Garibaldi became acquainted with the Republican ideas of Giuseppe Mazzini. Garibaldi enthusiastically supported the aims of Mazzini's Young Italy and became a life-long supporter of Italian unification under a democratic Republican government. In 1834, Garibaldi participated in a failed insurrection in Piedmont, and like Mazzini was exiled to France.

Garibaldi in Latin America

From Marseille, Garibaldi sailed to Brazil, where he became involved in the cause of Farrapos (Ragamuffin) rebels who were trying to proclaim another republic within Santa Catarina, Brazil. Garibaldi also became involved in the Uruguayan civil war, raising a small Italian force. Here in Uruguay, Garibaldi's forces became well known for wearing their distinctive red shirts, and they were often referred to as the 'red shirts.'

The fight for Italian independence

In 1846, news from Italy encouraged Garibaldi to return home. In 1846, the new Pope, Pius IX instituted liberal reforms which encouraged Garibaldi to be hopeful of progressive change. In the revolutionary year of 1848, Garibaldi found himself back in Italy and he offered his services to the Sardinian Monarch - Charles Albert. Although Garibaldi was a Republican, he was willing to sacrifice his republican ideals in the hope of supporting Italian unification first. However, despite minor success at Luino and Morazzone, the First Italian War of Independence was unsuccessful.

In 1849, Garibaldi was in Rome, which had just been declared a Republic, however, it was under attack from French forces loyal to the Pope. At the request of Mazzini, Garibaldi led the military defence of Rome and scarcely escaped with his life. Faced with the overwhelming numerical superiority of the French, Garibaldi had to withdraw his forces to the Apennine mountains.

Depleted in resources and lacking the support of the government, Garibaldi was forced to emigrate again. This time he moved to New York, US where he joined a community of Italian expats. But, Garibaldi was soon on the move again, sailing a trading ship 'The Carmen' around the world. In 1854, Garibaldi sailed in another ship for Tyneside, England. As in many other parts of the world, Garibaldi was warmly welcomed by the working men of Tyneside, who saw Garibaldi as a defender of democratic ideals and opposing injustice.

Garibaldi returned to Italia in 1854, when he used an inheritance to buy a farm on a northern island of Sardinia. For a few years, he was able to devote himself to agriculture. However, in 1859, the Second Italian War of Independence broke out and Garibaldi was appointed a major general with a guerilla force based in the Alps.

Garibaldi felt supporting the Piedmontese monarchy was the best chance of achieving Italian unification and so he again sidelined his republican ideals to work towards the ideal of Italian unification.

Campaign of 1860

In 1860, he successfully led a relatively small force to military victory in Sicily. By defeating the Neapolitan troops with a diverse band of volunteers and local peasant support, Garibaldi gained worldwide renown and became a hero for the Italian cause.

After conquering Sicily, he sailed to mainland Italy (with the help of the British Royal Navy) and led his growing volunteer army to Naples. The advancing army was welcomed by the Italian population. But, it was with the help of the Piedmontese Army that Garibaldi was able to defeat the large organised Neapolitan army.

Garibaldi would have like to continue his march onto Rome and create an Italian republic. But, he knew his army was too small - relying on his much stronger Piedmontese ally. Garibaldi agreed to give his recent gains in Sicily to Victor Emmanuel II - King of Piedmont as a way to effectively promote Italian unity. Garibaldi saw Victor Emmanuel II as the figure who could most effectively bring about the unification of Italy.

"Providence has presented Italy with Victor Emmanuel. Every Italian should rally round him. By the side of Victor Emmanuel every quarrel should be forgotten, all rancor depart. Once more I repeat my battle-cry: "To arms, all-all of you!""

- To Arms, 1860

This meeting on the 26 October 1860 is considered a very significant date in the quest for Italian unity. Garibaldi greeted him as King of Italy, and this helped cement the idea of Italian unity. After this momentous occasion, Garibaldi rode to Naples not wishing to receive any accolades for his services.

Later Campaigns

Although this was a step towards unity, Mazzini and Garibaldi still desired to see a republic and also see the inclusion of Rome and the Papal States.

Assuming he would have the support of the new Italian government, Garibaldi marched to Rome against the forces of Napoleon III. However, fearing the reaction of Catholic forces sympathetic to the Pope, the Italian government refused to back Garibaldi's attempt. They even sent Italian forces to defend Rome against Garibaldi. Garibaldi was injured in the foot, but the fighting ended quickly. Garibaldi did not want his soldiers firing on fellow Italians. Again, Garibaldi was willing to swallow his pride for the long-term goal of Italian unity.

Garibaldi returned to fight for Italy in the Third Italian War of Independence. Garibaldi led his Alpine troops in Trentino and was moderately successful. Due to the strength of Italy's ally - Prussia, Austria ceded Venetia to Italy, but Garibaldi's gains in Trentino were lost.

Garibaldi continued to agitate for the end of the papacy and led another small force against the Rome garrison. But, Garibaldi was unsuccessful and suffered another injury.

Garibaldi the Internationalist

Garibaldi dedicated his life to the cause of Italian unity, but he was also interested in democracy throughout the world. In 1861 at the outbreak of the American civil war, he urged Abraham Lincoln to make the civil war conditional upon ending slavery. Garibaldi was held in such high regard, that Garibaldi was even offered a command in the Union army. Garibaldi rejected the offer because he wanted Lincoln to make firm opposition to slavery. When Lincoln finally agreed to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Garibaldi threw his whole political support behind Lincoln's endeavour.

In 1870, the fall of the Second French Empire led to the creation of a new French republic. Despite fighting French forces for many years, Garibaldi was true to his Republican principles and switched allegiances in 1870 to offer his support to the new French Republic.

"Yesterday I said to you: war to the death to Bonaparte. Today I say to you: rescue the French Republic by every means."

As was typical with Garibaldi, he backed up words with deeds and went to France to assume command of an army of volunteers.

In 1879, Garibaldi founded the "League of Democracy" this advocated universal suffrage, female emancipation, the abolition of ecclesiastical property and a standing army for national unity.

Along with Giuseppe Mazzini, Garibaldi supported the creation of a European federation. He expressed an expectation that it would be a greater Germany that would lead a united Europe.

Garibaldi died on 2 June 1882, at the age of 75. He wished to have a simple cremation, though he was buried by his farm on the island of Caprera.

Personal Beliefs

Garibaldi was strongly anti-clerical and anti-papacy. However, in some writings, he supported Christianity.

"I am a Christian, and I speak to Christians - I am a true Christian, and I speak to true Christians. I love and venerate the religion of Christ, because Christ came into the world to deliver humanity from slavery..."

However, his approach to Christianity was more individualistic with little interest in the church.

He was a leading figure in the Il Risorgimento (Unification of Italy). He was a member of Mazzini's Young Italy and the Carbonari. Towards the end of his life, he became more sympathetic to socialism, but generally, he didn't concentrate on social reform.

He was also a Freemason and saw the organisation as an opportunity to spread progressive ideas within an international movement.

Garibaldi was considered to be an honest man without desire for great name and fame. This personal nobility and his military victories helped to gain the support and love of many ordinary people. His sincerity attracted many to support his cause of Italian unification. Ironically, despite being a great military strategist, Garibaldi became increasingly wary of war and expressed pacifist ideals towards the end of his life.

He was married three times and had four children with his first wife, Anita.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Giuseppe Garibaldi", Oxford, UK. www.biographyonline.net Published 12th Jan. 2013. Updated 20 January 2018.

Garibaldi: Hero of Italian Unification

Garibaldi: Hero of Italian Unification at Amazon
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Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882). Garibaldi was a central figure in the Nineteenth Century movement for Italian unification. Garibaldi became an international figure synonymous with promoting national independence and republican ideals. He led successful military campaigns in both Latin America and Europe and became known as the 'hero of two worlds'.