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This map shows the routes followed by South America’s best known freedom fighters, Simon Bolívar and José de San Martín. While Bolívar led troops southward from Venezuela to Peru, San Martín organized a fighting force in western Argentina, joined others in Chile, and moved northward toward Peru. He took control of Lima and declared Peru’s independence in 1821, but was challenged for leadership by supporters of Bolívar. Bolivar liberated New Granada in 1819 and established Gran Colombia, which included Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. By 1824 Bolivar and others had defeated the Spanish in South America. Bolivar’s hopes for a united Gran Colombia died in 1830, however, when Ecuador and Venezuela withdrew. |
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