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Gran Colombia

You're all such creative types here on this forum so come with me a moment as we step into the world of science fiction.

Imagine if El Libertador had been successful in his dream of a unified nation comprising what we today call Colombian, Venezuala, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama. Imagine that rather than imploding into civil war and ego struggles, it had survived as a unified whole after driving back the Spanish Empire.

What would the world be like today if Gran Colombia existed as such? Would it have been Colombian troops alongside the British who stormed the French beaches on D-Day. Would we be talking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council? Would an even deadlier cold war have sprung up between two giants, the USA and Gran Colombia, both with weapons of mass destruction and both within spitting distance of each other.

What would that world be like?

By Cockney Colombian on May 11, 2005, 06:30 in Friendly Talkzone.

viewpoint says on May 11, 2005, 07:09:

Gran Colombia and More Free Trade Area of the Americas brings more regional countries together than Gran Colombia did.

http://www.ftaa-alca.org/alca_e.asp

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ColombianoX says on May 11, 2005, 08:39:

Cockney, That is a very Cockney,

That is a very interesting scenario you pose. You should watch the colombian movie 'Bolivar Soy Yo' which deals with this topic. I do think we would definitely be much better off than we are now as Gran Colombia. It's a shame that Bolivar's dream didn't materialize.

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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lpdiver says on May 11, 2005, 08:44:

Isn't this somewhat How Colombia was historically before the US and other entities carved it up into the present day boundaries? It didn't work before, what makes you belive it will today? Just curious?

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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Rubiazo says on May 11, 2005, 22:08:

Argentina's peak Was at the same time as that of the USA, right after WWII, when everybody in the Western Hemisphere looked great by default. At that time Argentina was 5th richest nation in the world. But it has been sliding (or careening downwards) ever since then.

Interestingly enough, Argentina and Brazil as well as the Dominican Republic all had their best years economically under the most brutal dictatorships, (Peron, the first 6 years of the military junta in Brazil , and Trujillo in DR). That would fit right in with Bolivar's philosophy; he wasnt too hot on democracy either! He didn't think the South Americans could handle it!

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Happy_Rotter says on May 11, 2005, 23:01:

This may sound a little pessimistic, but I seriously doubt I could ever probably work.

I really don't know how people were in Bolivar's era, but if you get the chance to travel through all 6 bolivarian countries you will see dozens of different cultures and ways of thinking, in many cases opposite one to another. Actually, it happens nowadays inside of any of these countries; rolos disliking paisas, paisas disliking caleños, ecuadorian costeños vs serranos, etc. I see it very difficult to have all these people sharing the same constitution, political structure, president/dictator, Seleccion GranColombiana de futbol, tv channels, señorita Gran Colombia, and financial resources.

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Cockney Colombian says on May 14, 2005, 09:22:

lpdiver, I don't neccessarily think Gran Colombia would have lasted, but I was fascinated by the possabilities if it had.

CX, I'll defintly try to get a hold of that film.

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