The historical event that most influenced Bolívar's speech was:
(3) The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a period in European history during the 17th and 18th centuries characterized by a focus on reason, science, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It emphasized concepts such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, which were central themes in Bolívar's ideals for Latin American independence.
During the Enlightenment, thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu advocated for principles of natural rights, social contract theory, and the separation of powers in government. Bolívar was influenced by these Enlightenment ideas when formulating his vision for a liberated Latin America.
In his speeches and writings, Bolívar often referenced Enlightenment principles of freedom, democracy, and self-governance. He sought to apply these ideas to the context of Latin America's struggle against Spanish colonial rule, aiming to create independent nations based on the principles of equality and individual rights.
By drawing on Enlightenment philosophy, Bolívar articulated a vision of a free and united Latin America that resonated with the aspirations of many in the region. The influence of the Enlightenment on Bolívar's thinking is evident in his calls for constitutional governments, representative democracy, and the abolition of slavery – all ideas rooted in the intellectual currents of the Enlightenment.
