The Colombian War of Independence in 1810: The Momentous Revolt of the Junta de Santa Fe

The year is 1810, and for nearly 300 years, the Viceroyalty of New Granada has stood as one of Spain’s most significant colonies, governed under an oppressive class hierarchy that divides people based on whether they were born in Spain or Latin America. Throughout its colonial history, Colombia has been extorted and exploited for its people, resources, and land, with many of its largest cities emerging from colonial settlements. For the majority of the population–comprised of Creoles and indigenous peoples–opportunities, careers, and even basic rights are virtually nonexistent. Now, with a political crisis paralyzing the Spanish government and no legitimate king on the throne, revolutionary sentiment has begun to sweep across New Granada. The rise of local juntas and emerging military leaders has made the prospect of freedom more tangible than ever before.

As delegates in this committee, the fate of Gran Colombia, and the entirety of the Western world lay in your hands as you find yourself amidst the complexities of the evolving revolution. As delegates tackle the implications of the decades long conflict, they will undoubtedly encounter a number of internal and external influences to the war including the centuries long struggle against class inequality, oligarchic control, rural displacement, and foreign intervention. With this in mind, delegates are expected to grapple with this issues while being aware of the historical complexities and context Colombia, and the region as a whole, have seen as they change the world forever.

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