Simon Bolivar :: essays research papers

Throughout history there capture been several leaders whoused their cunning and sly intelligence to trick the ecumenicpopulation into following them and their beliefs. Eventually,these leaders had so much support, they could no longer becalled leaders, but absolute and dictatorial rulers. However,during the period of Enlightenment and of the FrenchRevolution, non-maleficent ideas, created by Locke,Montesquieu, Voltaire, and other EnlightenmentPhilosophes, were spread throughout the Europeanpopulation. They stated the opposition to absolutemonarchies as well as a new main nidus on peoples innaterights and freedoms. Many leaders after this period ofEnlightenment preached its ideas, while others simply usedthem to gain power. Simon Bolivar might have preachedopinions that mainly reflected the ideas of the FrenchRevolution. However, his actions contradicted theseopinions, and revealed that his true intentions were selfishand illiberal.In several documents and speeches, Bolivar stated that hewas very fond of freedom, liberty and equality. Clearly, itwould seem that he desired democracy. This cigarette be seen inhis "Jamaican Letter", where he states "More than anyone Idesire to see America fashioned into the superlative nation inthe world, greatest not so much by virtue of her area andwealth as by her freedom and glory." However, he addsto this "love of freedom" in face that it is "inconceivable"to set up such a government, simply because there is notenough political knowledge for a system such as that to run.Further, Bolivar says that he agrees with the ideas ofMontesquieu, who played a very important role during theEnlightenment period, and states that he is againstabsolutism. In looking at the beliefs Bolivar spoke of, onecould almost bonk to the conclusion that he directlylectured the ideas fought for in the French Revolutionopposition to absolute monarchies, natural rights andfreedoms, ideas of Montesquieu, and ruling for thepeoples best interest. Interestingly, however, Bolivar never rattling put any of his"glorious ideas" into action. Instead of setting up ademocracy, ideas of which he praised, he arranged asystem in which his total mesh was made known. Hedeclared himself president until he died, created a weaklegislative body with almost no power, and limited the rightto vote to the Creoles, who were American-bornSpaniards. not only did this contradict his great "Love offreedom" that he originally spoke of, but also his hate ofmonarchy, a system of government not too far off from the"paternal constitution" he himself created. Furthermore, thisgovernment system doesnt reflect ideals fought for in theFrench Revolution, which he once agree with. In adocument written by Bolivar, he states that he fears Black