-
Jan 1, 1498
Discovery
Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda visit Venezuela, which is inhabited by Carib, Arawak and Chibcha peoples -
Jan 1, 1521
Colonisation
Spanish colonisation begins on the north-east coast -
Revolt
First rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. -
Independece
Venezuelan patriots take advantage of Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain to declare independence. -
Independence Day
Independence Act signed. -
Period: to
Secession
Venezuela secedes from Gran Colombia and becomes an independent republic with its capital at Caracas. -
Period: to
Advancement
1870-88 - Venezuela governed by Antonio Guzman Blanco, who attracts foreign investment, modernises infrastructure and develops agriculture and education. -
Debt
Venezuela fails to repay loans and, as a result, its ports are blockaded by British, Italian and German warships. -
Period: to
Oil
Dictator Juan Vicente Gomez governs at a time when Venezuela becomes world's largest exporter of oil. -
Period: to
Democracy
President Romulo Gallegos, Venezuela's first democratically elected leader, overthrown within eight months in military coup led by Marcos Perez Jimenez, who forms government with backing from the armed forces and the US.