First presidency of José Antonio Páez

The first presidency of José Antonio Páez (1831–1835) marked Venezuela's inaugural administration as an independent nation following its separation from Gran Colombia through the separatist movement known as La Cosiata, which occurred in the aftermath of the War of Independence.

The Páez administration established the judicial and legislative framework of the newly created republic[1] and enacted the 1830 Constitution. In foreign policy, Páez negotiated the Michelena-Pombo Treaty with New Granada (modern-day Colombia).

After losing the subsequent election to José María Vargas, following the failed candidacy of his preferred successor, Carlos Soublette, Páez peacefully transferred power,[2] though he would remain a dominant political figure for over two decades.[3]

Background

Main articles: Dissolution of Gran Colombia and La Cosiata

José Antonio Páez, a political opponent of Simón Bolívar and advocate for ending Gran Colombia, rose to power with the backing of the Conservative Oligarchy.[4] In September 1830, the Congress of Valencia formally declared Venezuela's separation from Colombia.[5] Páez won the 1831 presidential election with 136 votes (86.07% of the total).[6]

Inauguration

On 11 April 1831, José Antonio Páez was sworn in as constitutional President of Venezuela. In his inaugural address, he declared:[7]

"The truth is that one of the finest periods in our history is now beginning, particularly in terms of the political and moral organization of the Republic. Prudence, firmness, integrity, a shrewd understanding of the impossibility of immediately breaking away from military leadership, yet coupled with a resolute determination to restrain it; a diligent and consistent enthusiasm for establishing an effective public administration and balancing liberty with order, these were the virtues of that generation, which succeeded in transforming the dissolution of Colombia, begun under such grim circumstances, into a patriotic and legalist movement..."

Domestic policy

Legislative policy

Main article: Constitution of Venezuela (1830)

The 1830 Constitution was ratified, establishing the legal foundation of the republic.[2]

Defense

Despite budget and personnel cuts to the military, efforts were made to professionalize the armed forces and standardize recruitment procedures.[8][9] The 1830 Constitution granted the legislative branch authority to determine enlistment methods and the size of both the standing army and militia.[9]

The Constituent Congress of Valencia (1830) organized the armed forces into three branches: Permanent Army, National Militia and Navy. The National Militia Law mandated compulsory service for all Venezuelan men aged 18 to 40, with exemptions only for public officials and clergy.[9][10] Provincial governors were responsible for maintaining militia rosters.[9]

Economy

Páez promoted agriculture and industry.[3] Key measures included: Abolition of the alcabala tax (8 June 1831), which had hindered urban trade, Anti-monopoly decree (22 March 1833) ending state control over tobacco production (in place since 1779) and Law of Freedom of Contracts (10 April 1834), instituting laissez-faire principles by allowing unrestricted interest rates on loans.[3]

Cultural policy

In 1834, the National Library of Venezuela was established.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ruiz Chataing, David (2012). "Venezuela: La construcción de la República, 1830-1850". Tiempo y Espacio (in Spanish). 22 (58): 136–138. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  2. ^ a b Rodríguez, Adolfo. "Páez, José Antonio, gobiernos de". Fundación Empresas Polar (in Spanish). Diccionario de Historia de Venezuela.
  3. ^ a b c Banko, Catalina. "Pugnas económicas y tensiones político-sociales en Venezuela (1830-1870)". Procesos Históricos (in Spanish) (30): 2–21.
  4. ^ "José Antonio Páez". Real Academia de la Historia (in Spanish).
  5. ^ Vera Espinoza, Gricel Abigail (2019-07-01). "Paez, el hacedor de la Venezuela independiente". Revista digital la Pasión del Saber (in Spanish). 9 (16): 32–39. ISSN 2244-7857.
  6. ^ "1831 - Cronología de historia de Venezuela". Fundación Empresas Polar (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  7. ^ Moya, Pedro O. (1999). De Cristóbal a Hugo: gobernantes de Venezuela (in Spanish). Ediciones CO-BO. ISBN 978-980-262-618-2. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  8. ^ Castillo Herrera, Luis Fernando (July–December 2014). "Reseña "La recluta forzosa y su transición al servicio militar obligatorio 1908-1933" de Germán José Guía Caripe" (PDF). Procesos Históricos. Universidad de los Andes (in Spanish) (26). ISSN 1690-4818.
  9. ^ a b c d Guía, Germán (2009). "Capítulo I Antecedentes del servicio militar: La recluta al servicio del rey y el caudillo 1768-1910. Una visión general.". La recluta forzosa y su transición al servicio militar obligatorio (1908-1933) (in Spanish). República Bolivariana de Venezuela, Centro Nacional de Historia. pp. 11–36. ISBN 978-980-7248-15-0. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  10. ^ Uzcátegui, Rafael (2019). "Historia de la objeción de conciencia en Venezuela: El largo camino para el reconocimiento de un derecho". Objeción de conciencia, militarismo y derecho a la paz (in Spanish). Caracas: Programa Venezolano de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos (Provea). pp. 18–27.
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