First Republic of Venezuela

Quick Facts: Who was First Republic of Venezuela?

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First Republic of Venezuela

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Venezuela's first independent government, declared in 1811 following Spanish colonial overthrow.

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Origins & Early Life

The First Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: Primera República de Venezuela) was the first independent government of Venezuela, lasting from 5 July 1811, to 25 July 1812. The period of the First Republic began with the overthrow of the Spanish colonial authorities and the establishment of the Junta Suprema de Caracas on 19 April 1810, initiating the Venezuelan War of Independence, and ended with the surrender of the republican forces to the Spanish Captain Domingo de Monteverde. The congress of Venezuela declared the nation's independence on 5 July 1811, and later wrote a constitution for it. In doing so, Venezuela is notable for being the first Spanish American colony to declare its independence. Several European events set the stage for Venezuela's declaration of independence.

Career & Major Achievements

The Napoleonic Wars in Europe not only weakened Spain's imperial power, but also put Britain unofficially on the side of the independence movement. In May 1808, Napoleon asked for and received the abdication of Ferdinand VII and the confirmation of his father Charles IV's abdication a few months earlier. Napoleon then made his brother Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain. That marked the beginning of Spain's own War of Independence from French hegemony and partial occupation, before the Spanish American wars of independence even began. The focal point of the Spanish political resistance was the Supreme Central Junta, which formed itself to govern in the name of Ferdinand, and which managed to get the loyalty of the many provincial and municipal juntas that had formed throughout Spain in the wake of the French invasion.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Likewise, in Venezuela during 1808 and 1810 there were various attempts at establishing a junta, which took the form of both legal, public requests to the Captain General and secret plots to depose the authorities. The first major defeat that Napoleonic France suffered was at the Battle of Bailén, in Andalusia. (At this battle Pablo Morillo, future commander of the army that invaded New Granada and Venezuela; Emeterio Ureña, an anti-independence officer in Venezuela; and José de San Martín, the future Liberator of Argentina and Chile, fought side-by-side against the French General Pierre Dupont.) Despite this victory, the situation soon reversed itself and the French advanced into southern Spain and the Spanish government had to retreat to the island redout of Cádiz. In Cádiz, the Supreme Central Junta dissolved itself and set up a five-person Regency to handle the affairs of state until the Cortes of Cádiz could be convened. On 18 April 1810, agents of the Spanish Regency arrived in the city of Caracas.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1808: 1808 Milestone — In May 1808, Napoleon asked for and received the abdication of Ferdinand VII and the confirmation of his father Charles IV's abdication a few months earlier.
2. 1810: 1810 Milestone — The period of the First Republic began with the overthrow of the Spanish colonial authorities and the establishment of the Junta Suprema de Caracas on 19 April 1810, initiating the Venezuelan War of Independence, and ended with the surrender of the republican forces to the Spanish Captain Domingo de Monteverde.
3. 1811: 1811 Milestone — The First Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: Primera República de Venezuela) was the first independent government of Venezuela, lasting from 5 July 1811, to 25 July 1812.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: First Republic of Venezuela

True or False: “The First Republic of Venezuela was the first colony to declare independence from Spain.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it was a very early declaration, other colonies also declared independence around the same time or shortly before.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alfred Domett — Historical peer (Born in 1811) (1811): Fourth Premier of New Zealand; poet and prominent figure in 19th-century colonial politics.
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• Alexander H. Stephens — Historical peer (Born in 1812) (1812): American politician, Vice President of the Confederacy, and Governor of Georgia.
• Alexander Herzen — Historical peer (Born in 1812) (1812): Pioneering Russian socialist thinker and writer, precursor to agrarian populism.
• Alexis Soyer — Historical peer (Born in 1810) (1810): Pioneering French chef, writer, and inventor celebrated for his work in Victorian England.
• Alfred de Musset — Historical peer (Born in 1810) (1810): French dramatist, poet, and novelist known for 'Confession of a Child of the Century'
• Abdelkader El Djezairi — Historical peer (Born in 1808) (1808): Algerian religious leader who spearheaded the resistance against French colonization (1831–1847).
• Andrew Johnson — Historical peer (Born in 1808) (1808): 17th U.S. President, known for his role in Reconstruction and subsequent impeachment.

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