IMPORTANCE OF THE CREATION OF GREATER COLOMBIA: 4 REASONS - HISTORY - 2025

The creation of Gran Colombia in 1819 was of great importance for the destinies of the territories that made it up and in general of the entire Latin American region. Greater Colombia was made up of the countries that are known today as Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. In addition, it included some territories in northern Peru, northwestern Brazil, and Guyana.

Gran Colombia was dissolved in 1831, after the internal political struggles that generated the resignation of Simón Bolívar as president. The abolition of Gran Colombia led to the birth of Venezuela, Ecuador and New Granada as independent nations.

Reasons why the creation of Gran Colombia was important

1- Materialization of independence efforts

The creation of Gran Colombia was a fundamental step in the independence process that had been taking place in their territories since 1810.

The independent cause was strengthened with the strategic and political objectives posed by the creation of Greater Colombia.

The unifying vision of Bolívar and other important figures of the time such as Francisco de Miranda ended with the dissolution of Gran Colombia, however the independence vision triumphed thanks to its creation.

2- Importance in the independence and territorial struggles

From 1810 until its dissolution in 1831, the territory that made up Greater Colombia faced various conflicts.

Some fights were to maintain the independence of their territories, like the battles against the Spanish and the British mercenaries. Other battles, such as those that occurred in the war against Peru, were territorial.

The union of Gran Colombia allowed the territories that made it up to better withstand the battles.

Furthermore, the treaties signed during the duration of Greater Colombia as a consequence of said conflicts had an important international impact and continue to do so today.

3- Advances in the liberation of slaves

The formation of Gran Colombia allowed Simón Bolívar to take actions to fulfill his intentions to achieve the emancipation of slaves. Even Bolívar managed to propose a system of liberation of slaves in the law of 1821.

This initiative, although it had several promoters, also encountered many obstacles to its acceptance.

These obstacles were related to the approach to paying taxes to slave owners that were contemplated in the law and to the various pro-slavery movements that existed then.

Although Bolívar's claims could not be fully carried out, the slave liberation method proposed in Gran Colombia proved to be effective in the independent republics of Venezuela, Nueva Granada, and Ecuador after the separation of Gran Colombia.

4- Development of the press

After the war of independence and the founding of Gran Colombia, the enlightenment began to permeate an increasingly broad section of the educated population.

This effect was reflected in the progress and active interest of governments and society in the press.

This growing interest during Gran Colombia allowed the foundation of various periodical press media.

Beyond reporting political and military events, patriot journalism left an important testimony of the interests and beliefs of the time.

References

1. Bierck HA The Struggle for Abolition in Gran Colombia. The Hispanic American Historical Review. 1953; 33 (3): 365-386.
2. Brown M. (2004). Impious Adventurers? Mercenaries, Honor and Patriotism in the Wars of Independence in Gran Colombia. Doctoral Thesis. University of London.
3. Bushnell D. Reviewed Work: La Gran Colombia. by José M. de Mier. The Hispanic American Historical Review. 1986; 66 (3): 615-616.
4. Bushnell D. The Development of the Press in Great Colombia. The Hispanic American Historical Review. 1950; 30 (4): 432-452.
5. Lasso M. Race War and Nation in Caribbean Gran Colombia, Cartagena, 1810–1832. The American Historical Review. 2006; 111 (2): 336-361.
6. Seckinger R. South American Power Politics during the 1820s. The Hispanic American Historical Review. 1976; 56 (2): 241-267.