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Gran Colombia Timeline

(1819–1831)

This timeline traces the rise and fall of Gran Colombia, the short-lived republic that united present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama after independence from Spain. Less

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Go to: Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Formation and territory

Fundamental Law proclaims Colombia

1819

The Fundamental Law of the Republic of Colombia was issued during the Congress of Angostura, proclaiming a country named Colombia and giving the term a specific geographic and political reference.

Image source: Congress of Angostura

Fundamental Law proclaims Colombia

Cundinamarca established at Angostura

1819

The former Department of Cundinamarca was established in 1819 at the Congress of Angostura as part of the new Colombian state.

Image source: Gran Colombia

Cundinamarca established at Angostura

Constitution of Cúcuta establishes Bogotá

1821

The Constitution of Cúcuta established Bogotá as the capital of the republic.

Image source: Colombian Constitution of 1821

Constitution of Cúcuta establishes Bogotá

Congress of Cúcuta drafts the constitution

1821

The Congress of Cúcuta drafted the Constitution of Cúcuta in 1821, providing the constitutional framework for Gran Colombia.

Gran Colombia comes into being

1821

Although proclaimed in 1819, Gran Colombia came into being when the Congress of Cúcuta promulgated the Constitution of Cúcuta in 1821.

Panama joins the federation

Nov 1821

Panama joined the federation in November 1821, becoming part of the territory claimed and administered by Gran Colombia.

Image source: History of Panama

Panama joins the federation

Quito joins the republic

1822

The province of Quito joined Gran Colombia in 1822, extending the federation's authority into territory that had still been under Spanish rule in 1821.

Pasto joins the republic

1822

The province of Pasto joined Gran Colombia in 1822 after the republic's military campaigns against Spanish rule.

Guayaquil joins the republic

1822

The province of Guayaquil joined Gran Colombia in 1822.

New territorial division is implemented

1824

A new territorial division was implemented in 1824 to curb regionalist tendencies and establish more efficient central control of local administration.

Political development

Bolívar appointed president

1819

Before a new constitution could be written, the Congress of Angostura appointed Simón Bolívar president of the newly proclaimed republic.

Image source: Simón Bolívar

Bolívar appointed president

Santander appointed vice president

1819

The Congress of Angostura appointed Francisco de Paula Santander vice president, establishing the initial executive leadership of Gran Colombia.

Image source: Francisco de Paula Santander

Santander appointed vice president

Bolívar receives extraordinary powers

1820 - 1825

From 1820 to 1825, Gran Colombia was ruled directly by Bolívar under extraordinary powers granted to him.

Textile industry faces import competition

1820 - 1825

From 1820 to 1825, the area's textile industry suffered because cheaper textiles were imported.

Regional political differences become public

1825

By 1825, differences between leaders and regions that had fought together against Spanish rule became public and contributed to political instability.

Venezuela approaches secession

1826

In 1826, Venezuela came close to seceding from Gran Colombia, reflecting the federation's growing regional and political tensions.

Image source: La Cosiata

Venezuela approaches secession

Bolívar and Santander are reappointed

1826

Bolívar and Santander were reappointed by the national congress in 1826, even as political differences within the federation became increasingly public.

Convention of Ocaña begins

1828

The new constituent assembly, known as the Convention of Ocaña, began its sessions in 1828 to address the republic's constitutional and political crisis.

Wars and independence

Venezuela is liberated at Carabobo

1821

At the Battle of Carabobo, all of Venezuela except Puerto Cabello was liberated from Spanish rule, strengthening Gran Colombia's position.

Image source: Battle of Carabobo

Venezuela is liberated at Carabobo

Peru's independence is consolidated

1824

Gran Colombia's army helped consolidate the independence of Peru in 1824.

Image source: Peruvian War of Independence

Peru's independence is consolidated

Gran Colombia claims Jaén and Maynas

1828

The dispute with Peru centered on Gran Colombian claims over the territories of Jaén and Maynas.

Image source: Gran Colombia–Peru War

Gran Colombia claims Jaén and Maynas

Bolívar declares war on Peru

Jun 3, 1828

On 3 June 1828, Bolívar declared war on Peru over Gran Colombian claims to the Peruvian territories of Jaén and Maynas.

War with Peru ends at Guayaquil

Sep 22, 1829

The war between Gran Colombia and Peru ended with the Treaty of Guayaquil, signed on 22 September 1829.

Image source: Treaty of Guayaquil

War with Peru ends at Guayaquil

Treaty of Guayaquil takes effect

Oct 27, 1829

The Treaty of Guayaquil went into effect on 27 October 1829, formalizing the settlement that ended the war with Peru.

Dissolution and legacy

Bolívar resigns the presidency

1830

As the collapse of the country became evident in 1830, Bolívar resigned from the presidency.

Gran Colombia's treaty legacy persists

1830

The status of treaties and accords dating from the revolutionary period and the Gran Colombia period continued to have a profound effect on international relations.

Federation dissolves

1830

The federation dissolved during the closing months of 1830 as political differences between federalists and centralists and regional tensions became irreconcilable.

Image source: Dissolution of Gran Colombia

Federation dissolves

Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela succeed

1831

The former federation broke into the successor states of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

New Granada emerges from Cundinamarca

1831

The former Department of Cundinamarca became a new country, the Republic of New Granada, after the dissolution of Gran Colombia.

Image source: Republic of New Granada

New Granada emerges from Cundinamarca

Gran Colombia is formally abolished

1831

Gran Colombia was formally abolished in 1831 after its federation had dissolved.

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Key Facts

  1. Gran Colombia was created during the South American independence movement led by Simón Bolívar.
  2. The Congress of Angostura established the republic in 1819, and the Constitution of Cúcuta formally organized it in 1821.
  3. Its territory included most of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, along with parts of modern Peru, Brazil, and Guyana at various times.
  4. Simón Bolívar served as its first president, while Francisco de Paula Santander was a major political and administrative leader.
  5. Regional tensions, disagreements over centralism and federalism, and conflicts among political leaders led to its dissolution by 1831.

Source

This Gran Colombia timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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