Simón Bolívar Statue

Simón Bolívar became one of South America's leading revolutionary generals, with victories that led to the independence of Panama, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia (which was named after Bolívar). Many Americans supported the efforts of Latin American revolutionary Bolívar during the 19th century. Although he helped to liberate Latin America from Spain, Bolívar’s legacy is troubled by the region’s instability after his death in 1830.

The statue itself, located in Bolivar Park, was accepted by the United States Congress through a resolution in the Senate in 1955 as a gift from Venezuela and symbol of friendship. It was placed in its current location in 1957 by the Fine Arts Comission. The bronze statue, designed by Felix W. de Weldon, is 24 feet tall on a pedestal 12 feet tall and weighs 8 tons. It was dedicated by President Dwight Eisenhower on February 29, 1959. The pedestal reads "Simon Bolivar -- The Liberator."

Anti-colonial rebellions erupted throughout Latin America in the early 19th century. For example, Chile fought and secured independence in a bloody series of wars between 1810 and 1826. Mexico also secured its independence between 1810 and 1821, followed by Venezuela between 1811 and 1823, and Argentina between 1810 and 1818. With the leadership of revolutionary general Simón Bolívar, the people of present-day Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama fought and defeated Spanish forces between 1819 and 1826. 

In the wake of the Haitian Revolution, Southern leaders feared that Latin American independence might become a threat to the institution of slavery. If the United States failed to expand its influence over the region, Southerners protested, the rebellions against Spain might become the opening phase of a continental revolution against slavery. At the same time, the Monroe administration welcomed the rebellion against Spain for strategic reasons, seeing an independent Latin America as a boon for US commerce. Monroe’s successor, John Quincy Adams, was particularly supportive of the new republics and accepted Simón Bolívar’s invitation to send delegates to a trans-continental congress in Panama despite Southern protest. Although the United States continued to isolate the Black republic of Haiti, the government extended full diplomatic recognition to each of the new republics by 1826. 

Bolívar and his fellow rebels found inspiration in America’s fight against Britain and rebel leaders hoped to replace the colonial rule of Spain with democratic republics. United only in their desire for independence, each of these nations experienced years of political turmoil following the defeat of Spain. Bolívar became so alarmed by these events that he proclaimed himself the leader of a provisional government he hoped would provide temporary stability for northern South America. The republican-turned-dictator was soon forced to abdicate and may have fled to Europe had he not died of tuberculosis in 1830.

Simon Bolivar, DC Memorialist. Accessed August 19th, 2024. https://dcmemorialist.com/simon-bolivar/.