Manuel carlos piar biography examples

A military officer in Venezuelan war for independence against Spanish rule, General Manuel Carlos Piar exemplifies both the struggle for independence against Spain and the parallel but less successful campaign against racial caste in colonial South America.

Of mulatto background, Piar was born in Curaçao, Dutch West Indies.

He received rare educational opportunities during his youth and subsequently became involved in a variety of business ventures in the Dutch West Indies.

Manuel carlos piar biography examples

By the early years of the 19th Century he became increasingly interested in Latin American independence struggles which promised both freedom from Spain and racial equality. In 1810 he moved to Venezuela and was immediately offered the post of second lieutenant in the revolutionary army.

Four years after arriving in Venezuela, Piar was again promoted, this time to aide of revolutionary general Santiago Mariño.

Displays of his military prowess in battle soon caught the attention of the rebel leader Símon Bolívar