Colombian Independence: How It Was Influenced by Previous Revolutions and the Impressive Leadership of Simon BolivarAlexander LelentalStory 1400Dr. Judkin Browning4 December 2013Through the analysis of important turning points in history, great historians can draw comparisons from one event to another and how they shaped the world we live in today. When you study the different revolutions that occurred between the late 18th century and the early 19th century, you can observe the similarities between them and trace the roots back to the Revolution of the Enlightenment. I will discuss how Colombia was able to achieve its independence from the decline of the Spanish Empire by using ideas and tactics from previous revolutions. The Spanish Empire was the leading empire in conquering new territories in the new world because the Spanish explorers, also known as conquistadors, were masters of the art of colonizing new lands. They were motivated by their obsession to get rich in the new world. They would listen to the success stories of other conquistadors, such as Francisco Pizarro, and try to do the same. Word spread among the conquistadors of the mythical city known as El Dorado, the city made of gold. Spanish explorers believed that the native tribe of northern Colombia, called Taironas, kept this city hidden from them. The Tairona, known for their enormous cities made of stone and enormous quantities of gold at their disposal, resisted the Spanish for over 100 years. They had seen the devastating effects of what happened to neighboring tribes when they interacted with the Spanish. This led the Conquistadores to believe that they had to protect something very precious to them, so the Spanish were now... in the center of the paper... EMPEROR NAPOLEON." The American Register; Or, General Repository of History, Politics and Science (1806-1810), 2 January 2. http://0-search.proquest.com.wncln.wncln.org/docview/89381671?accountid=8337 Doc #10Encyclopædia Britannica Online, sv "Comunero Rebellion", http: //www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130783/Comunero- Rebellion. “HOW SPAIN LOST THE WESTERN WORLD 1898. Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1922), 20 March.” -search.proquest.com.wncln.wncln.org/docview/172875030?accountid=833 7. Doc n. 6"VENEZUELA'S HISTORY 1896.The Atlanta Constitution (1881-1945), Feb 17, 6. http://0search .proquest.com.wncln.wncln.org/docview/495318556?ac countid=83 37 Doc n. 14"Simon Bolivar 1942. The Washington Post (1923-1954), December 18, 12. http://0-search.proquest.com.wncln.wncln.org/docview/151515520?acco untid=8337 #11