![]() ![]() These juntas ended up being short-lived, however, and soon fell back under Spanish control thanks to the intervention of the Viceroy of Peru and the better equipped Royalists easily defeated the nationalists, who were lacking in money, resources and military experience.The defeat of the juntas did not mark the end of the independence movement they constituted an important part of the history of Bolivia. ![]() In La Paz, the junta there was an effort to break free from Spanish rule altogether and wanting complete independence from any European power. The representatives of the Monarchy decided to convert Upper Peru into a junta that would remain loyal to Spain in spirit while isolating itself politically from the other surrounding regions including the Viceroyalty of Peru. The junta in Charcas was created by the removal of the President, Ramon Garcia Leon de Pizarro, by the Audience because the Spanish Oidores suspected him of wanting to join with Portugal. This created an enormous vacuum of power and oversight in South America permitting the independence movements to begin their fight in earnest while the Spanish Monarchy was distracted with its own problems back home.The first wave of nationalist uprisings in Bolivia occurred in 1809 when the government juntas of Charcas and La Paz were formed as a reaction to the events in Spain-the chaotic, almost anarchic, situation in Spain was duplicating itself in Bolivia. In 1807, Napoleon invaded Spain in a quest to increase his empire. At the start of the 19th century, a perfect storm of circumstances came together to fan the flames of independence in South America. Further dividing the bases of power was the implementation of the intendancy system that subdivided the power of Viceroy and created internal power struggles between Intendants and Viceroys. This would bitterly divide the relationship between these two regions. In 1776 a reorganization of territories was ordered by Spain and Upper Peru joined the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata against the wishes of the Viceroyalty of Peru-which would stand to lose valuable natural resources and the money that would come with them. It was not uncommon for these Oidores to make the people bow to them. As was the case in other places, the Spanish overseers were widely ignorant of the situation of the people and considered themselves superior to the indigenous people. This Audience was known as the Audiencia de Charcas. Local government was the responsibility of the Royal Audience directed by a President. Bolivia during the 18th century was known as Upper Peru and as was an autonomous region dependant on the Viceroyalty of Peru. Ultimately, this new and independent country, Bolivia, would get its name from the Simon Bolivar, the military and political leader that changed the course of Colonial South America. The struggle for independence started locally and later Simon Bolivar and Antonio Jose de Sucre gave cohesiveness to a fragmented and unorganized cause. Bolivian Independence, achieved after centuries of Spanish colonial rule, was a process that spanned more than 15 years, from 1809 to 1825, and involved numerous battles and countless deaths.
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