Venezuela’s 1858-1870 Period: Politics, War, and Social Change
Venezuela: 1858-1870
A Period of Upheaval
This period, spanning from 1858 to 1870, was marked by significant wars and uprisings, such as the March Revolution. Liberals and Conservatives, initially supporting Julio Castro, later clashed, leading to prolonged conflict.
Key Figures
- Ezequiel Zamora
- Juan Crisóstomo Falcón
Significant Events and Leaders
- Julio Castro (1858)
- Pedro Gual and Manuel Felipe Tobar (leadership roles)
- Manuel Felipe Tobar (1860)
- General Páez’s Dictatorship (1863)
- Juan Crisóstomo Falcón (1863)
- Juan Tadeo Monagas (1868)
- José Ruperto (1869)
- General Antonio Guzmán Blanco
The Federal War (1858-1863)
The Federal War, beginning with the March 1858 revolution, saw President Julián Castro expel several liberal leaders from the country. The war officially began in Venezuela on October 18, 1858.
Zamora’s Federal Program and War Consequences
General Program
- Abolition of the death penalty
- Absolute freedom of the press
- Absolute freedom of worship
- Inviolability of property
Consequences of the War
- Over 200,000 deaths
- Decline in agricultural activity due to land abandonment
- State debt incurred to fund the war
- Emergence of new leaders and a weakened state
General Falcón’s Government
General Falcón’s government was characterized by a lack of strong attachment to power and difficulties in exercising command, leading to multiple resignations.
Government Actions
- Modification of the national flag and coat of arms
- Attempts to end guerrilla warfare
The 1864 Constitution
The constitution of 1864 was enacted during Falcón’s government.
Separatist Movements
- Zulia separatist movement (June 26, 1869), led by General Bulga
The Blue Revolution (1870)
The Blue Revolution, led by General Guzmán Blanco in 1870.
General Guzmán Blanco
- Nickname: The Illustrious American
- Conflicts with the Church
- Elected President in 1870
- Instituted civil marriage, closed Catholic cemeteries and temples, and expropriated seminaries.
- Educational decree: Public and compulsory primary education
- Promulgated civil, military, criminal, trade, and finance codes
Guzmán Blanco’s Educational Work
The primary instruction decree laid the foundation for compulsory secular education.
Opposition to Guzmán Blanco’s Government
His governance style and constitutional changes led to several uprisings.
The Last Liberal Governments (1870-1899)
The last liberal governments, from 1870 to 1899, were not associated with a specific political party but based their programs on the old Liberal Party.
Last Liberal Presidencies
- Joaquín Crespo (1898-1899): Legalized four-year terms and direct, secret presidential elections.
- Ignacio Andrade (1898-1899)
- Paul John Paul Rose (1888-1890): Inaugurated a submarine cable linking La Guaira to the Caribbean and Europe, founded the National Academy of History, and constructed religious buildings and hospitals.
- Raimundo Andueza Palace (1890-1892): His government defined the borders between Colombia and Venezuela.
National Pantheon
- Building location: Site of the Convent of the Sisters of Conception
- Last remodeling: 1930 (addition of a 48-meter tower)
- Notable burial: Remains of Simón Bolívar (October 28, 1876)
Guzmán Blanco’s Measures Against the Catholic Church
He separated the powers of the state and the church.
The Castro Regime
The Castro regime refers to the period of Cipriano Castro’s rule.
The Restorative Liberal Revolution (1899)
The Andean region entered the national political scene in May 1899 when a group of 60 men, commanded by Cipriano Castro, invaded Venezuela from Cúcuta under the banner of the Restorative Liberal Revolution.
Three Relevant Features of Castrismo
- Castro organized his own Restorative Liberal Party, ruling despotically and repressing opposition.
- Castro, Gómez, and other leaders accumulated significant property, creating competition among major landowners and signs of governmental chaos.
- Castro’s confrontations with foreign bankers and businesses elevated his personal prestige and national spirit.
Castro’s Government Achievements
- Creation of the Military Academy (July 4, 1903), procuring modern equipment and constructing military buildings.
- Enactment of the Civil Divorce Law (1904) and the Mining Code (1904).
Causes of the Liberating Revolution
The government’s difficult financial situation and refusal of Caracas bankers to provide credit led Castro to imprison leading bankers, creating irreconcilable enemies.
Conflict with Colombia (1901)
Colombia provided troops and ammunition to General Carlos Rangel Garbín, who invaded Venezuela aiming to separate the Andean region.
Blockade of the Venezuelan Coast
The text mentions a blockade but provides no further details.