Question

document a
source: simón bolívar, address at the congress of angostura, february 15, 1819.
note: simón bolívar was one of the most influential revolutionary leaders. he was a creole born in 1783 in what is now caracas, venezuela. the congress of angostura took place during the wars of independence of colombia and venezuela. this short excerpt was taken from bolívar’s opening speech.
we are not europeans; we are not indians; we are but a mixed species of aborigines native - born and spaniards. americans by birth and europeans by law, we find ourselves engaged in a dual two - sided conflict: we are disputing with the natives for titles of ownership, and at the same time we are struggling to maintain ourselves in the country that gave us birth against the opposition of the invaders.
thus our position is most extraordinary and complicated.
using the background essay as a reminder, which social class or classes would be “americans by birth and europeans by law” in latin america in 1819?
what is the “dual conflict” bolívar describes?
focusing on the word “we,” which social class do you think bolívar means when he says, “we are disputing with the natives for titles of ownership”?
to whom is bolívar referring when he speaks of “invaders”?

Explanation:

1. "Americans by birth and Europeans by law" refers to Creoles—people born in Latin America to Spanish parents, so they were legally tied to Spain (European law) but geographically native to the Americas.
2. The "dual conflict" is twofold: conflicting with Indigenous peoples over land ownership and fighting Spanish colonial forces to maintain control of their birth country.
3. When Bolívar says "we are disputing with the natives for titles of ownership," "we" refers to Creoles, as they were the class seeking formal land rights against Indigenous communities.
4. "Invaders" refers to Spanish colonial authorities and forces, since the context is the Latin American Wars of Independence against Spanish rule.

Answer:

1. Creoles
2. Conflicting with Indigenous peoples over land ownership and fighting Spanish colonial forces
3. Creoles
4. Spanish colonial authorities/forces