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Jan 1, 1525
Spain starts to look at Colombia
Spain became interested in Colombia because of its abundance of gold and minerals. The Spanish saw the opportunity to mine and traveled to Colombia and set up a mining colony. Slaves were sent from Africa to work on these plantations. -
Comunero Rebellion
Colombians began to resist Spanish control after the Spanish started taxing Colombians. The majority of the revolters were peasants and artisans. Lasted from 1780-81. -
Colombia declares independence from Spain
The Colombians hope to form their own government and be independent, however the Spanish fail to acknowledge their independence. -
Battle of Boyaca
The Colombians fought the Spanish in hopes of gaining independence. Lead by the president, Bolivar, the Colombians were able to win the battle. -
The Republic of Gran Colombia was formed.
President Bolivar created a republic government that included the current countries of Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The Gran Colombia caused a lot of controversy and lead to a violent split between the countries. -
Gran Colombia splits
The formed republic country split and left new borders, today known as the countries Venezuela, and Ecuador. This left modern day Colombia and Panama to be their own country in an area known as Nueva Granada. Split occurred between 1829-1830. -
The United States intervenes
The U.S. makes an appearance in Colombia and gains some control in territory known as the Panama Canal Zone. U.S. continued to help Colombia out financially for the next couple of decades. -
U.S. works with Panama
The U.S. offers an agreement between Columbia and U.S. but when the Colombians deny, the U.S. decides to work with Panama instead. As Panama decides to leave the Gran Colombia, the U.S. decides they want to work with Panama and gets right to Panama canal. The U.S. helps Panama gain complete independence, and right away recognizes the new country. -
Colombia becomes independent
As U.S. backed away from Colombia and worked with Panama, Colombia had gained their full independence from being colonized from another country. -
Conservative and Liberal parties form
With the fall of the Gran Colombian government, new political ideas formed in Colombia. People begin to become part of the liberal and conservative parties. This causes tension and eventually a civil war. 1948-9 However, in the end the country is free with its own government system.