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Country Venezuela History
Venezuela
Culture
Economics
General Information
History
Politics
Population
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HISTORY
The first permanent Spanish settlement in South America--Nuevo Toledo-- was established in Venezuela in 1522. Spanish explorers noted that natives used a black, oily liquid--petroleum--in their daily chores and took some of it to Spain as a curiosity. But the Spanish were interested in gold and looked for it elsewhere in their colonial empire. Nor did they appreciate Venezuela's agricultural potential.
Other Europeans, especially English adventurers and Dutch and French traders, began developing important commercial connections in the Venezuela region. Spain's eventual efforts to limit their inroads and develop the colony proved counterproductive, and Venezuelans began to grow restive under colonial control. Armed uprisings broke out in 1795, 1797, and 1799. In 1806, Francisco de Miranda--a Venezuelan aristocrat- -launched an unsuccessful rebellion.
Independence was achieved in 1821 under the leadership of Simon Bolivar. Venezuela, along with what are now Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador, was part of the Republic of Gran Colombia until 1830, when it separated and became a sovereign country.
Much of Venezuela's 19th-century history was characterized by periods of political instability, dictatorial rule, and revolutionary turbulence. The first half of the 20th century was marked by periods of authoritarianism--including dictatorships from 1908-35 and from 1950-58. Following the overthrow of Gen. Marcos Perez Jimenez in 1958, democratic elections were held every five years. Perez Jimenez' ouster also marked the start of the military's withdrawal from direct involvement in national politics. The presidency has passed back and forth between the country's two main political parties: Democratic Action (AD) won in 1958, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1988, and the Social Christian (COPEI) Party won in 1968 and 1978.
After a constitutionally mandated 10-year hiatus from power, Carlos Andres Perez took office again as President on February 2, 1989, for a second five-year term. He abandoned economic nationalism, import substitution, and state intervention, the trademarks of his first term (1974-79). The decline of oil prices in the mid-1980s and changes in policy forced austerity on consumers accustomed to subsidies. Economic hardship and the austerity program sparked violence in February 1989.
When police no longer could maintain order, the government temporarily suspended some constitutional rights and used military force to restore order. This turmoil set the stage for two military coup attempts against the Perez government, in February and November 1992. In May 1993, Perez was removed from office pending resolution by the Supreme Court of charges against him for malfeasance.
Perez was replaced by Ramon J. Velasquez, who presided over the December 1993 elections that brought Rafael Caldera to office. Caldera, a founder of COPEI and a former president (1969-1974), ran on a coalition "Convergence" ticket promising a reduction in corruption; he won the presidency with just over 30% of the valid vote--a seven-percentage- point margin over his closest rival. However, new elections and a new leader did not bring to an end the country's economic and political problems.
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Full article: http://www.traveldocs.com/ve/history.htm
Date submitted: 17.6.2006
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