Early Colonization

Spain used Venezuela as a barging chip to sell land and resources, such as the people as slaves.  Due to this degrading use for a nation and people, the Venezuelans created a large resentment for the conquering Spanish.  This encouraged Simón Bolívar, a native Venezuelan but of Spanish decent to unite the areas of Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia together to form his republic of Gran Colombia.  In 1813 Simón attempted this but with little success since it only lasted four years. (1)  After his failure in 1817 Simón retreated into Eruope.  However, this was not the last South America would see of Simón Bolívar.  Just two years after in 1819 Simón returned and tried again.(1)  This war with the Spanish lasted three years; it was not until 1821 when Gran Colombia was established.(1)