Venezuela’s Post-Independence Political and Socioeconomic Landscape
1. Political Superstructure
A. Challenges After Independence
After independence, Venezuela faced two primary challenges. First, it had to replace the Spanish empire’s political apparatus with a system for direct control of the population. Second, the independence movement’s national project, Gran Colombia, lacked resonance with most Venezuelans. Creating a political structure to address these challenges, while considering the country’s socioeconomic organization, proved difficult.
2. Internal Crisis of Gran Colombia
A. Regional Rivalries and Political Issues
Gran Colombia’s ten-year existence was marked by regional rivalries and political conflicts. Reactions to the Cúcuta Constitution and the central government’s authority led to its eventual dissolution.
3. Causes of Gran Colombia’s Separation
A. Key Factors
- The adoption of centralism as a political regime.
- The establishment of the national government headquarters in Bogotá, neglecting the needs of Venezuelan territories.
4. The Cosiata
A. A Movement for Change
The Cosiata (unimportant thing), or Tortoise Revolution, began in Valencia on April 30, 1826, led by José Antonio Páez. Initially aiming to amend the Cúcuta Constitution, the movement sought a break from Bogotá’s authority while remaining under Simón Bolívar’s protection. It did not initially intend to separate Venezuela from Gran Colombia.
5. Bolívar’s Actions to Preserve Gran Colombia
A. Diplomatic and Conciliatory Measures
- Bolívar adopted a diplomatic and conciliatory approach, enacting supreme leadership in Venezuela and guaranteeing rights, property, and jobs.
- These measures confirmed agreements made by separatists.
- Bolívar assumed dictatorship as a last resort to maintain unity.
6. The Congress of 1830
A. Separation and New Constitution
In 1830, the Valencia Congress declared Venezuela’s separation from Gran Colombia and drafted a new constitution. It established a federal system, granted citizenship rights, and adopted the division of powers (executive, legislative, and judicial). The republic’s territory was defined as the Captaincy General of Venezuela before 1810. José Antonio Páez became Venezuela’s president.
7. Aspects of the 1830 Constitution
A. Political Rights
Political rights were granted to male landowners. To elect and be elected, individuals had to be free, own property, have a minimum annual income of 50 pesos, or pay a minimum of 100 pesos annually. Women were excluded.
8. Economic and Social Organization
A. Production System
Any social organization needs a production system to meet its members’ basic needs. This involves organizing labor, utilizing resources, and producing goods and services.
9. Ownership of Production Factors
A. Land, Labor, and Means of Production
- Land: Primarily relevant in agricultural economics, land was essential for other factors to function. Workers (slaves or peasants) cultivated land for production.
- Labor: Venezuela’s population primarily relied on agriculture and livestock. Work was performed by slave labor (until 1854) and by peasants who cultivated land beyond their own needs, paying landowners in kind or cash.
- Means of Production: Workers owned only their basic tools (machetes, hoes, etc.).
10. Social Structure
A. Class Society
Venezuela’s agricultural economy led to a class-based society, including:
- Landowners
- Peasants
- Artisans
- Mercantile bourgeoisie
11. Concept of Social Class
A. Shared Economic Interests
A social class is a group of people with shared economic interests based on their relationship to the means of production. In capitalist society, the two most important classes are the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.