Using what you read in the article and in Bolívar's

speech, respond to this question:

To what extent was Bolivar a supporter of Enlightenment

ideas?

edg sample response

Explanation:

Bolívar is a supporter of Enlightenment ideas because he believes in the concept of equal rights. He personally took steps to free the enslaved persons his family owned, and to end slavery in Gran Colombia. In government, he supported the idea of separation of powers as expressed by Montesquieu. However, he also favored a strong executive branch and authoritarian leadership to ensure political stability for the nation. He also opposed the limited government supported by many Enlightenment thinkers. These ideas show that he was skeptical that American-style democracy could work.

Bolivar himself was a big believer in the ideas of Enlightenment. Enlightenment era ideas were based upon equality and Justice and Bolivar himself understood that all humans are created equal and have similar rights in front of the law.

Furthermore, his actions spoke louder than words. He and his family owned several slaves and he freed all of them. Something that was unprecedented for his time.

He was also a firm believe in limited the power of leaders but unlike US-style democracy, he instead developed in a strong Federal Government and Executive branch to run a country.