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The resolution of April 19, 1810 marked the beginning of the struggle for independence from Spanish rule in Venezuela. Vicente Emparan, the Captain General of Venezuela, was dismissed by the Caracas Council, giving way to the formation of the Supreme Board of Caracas, the first form of autonomous government, and the Act of April 19, 1810 is also signed, acting in the name of Fernando VII, deposed king of Spain, and in disobedience to José I. On March 2, 1811, the First National Congress was installed, putting an end to the Junta and also a triumvirate composed of Cristóbal Mendoza, Juan Escalona and Baltasar Padrón. Then on July 5, 1811, the Declaration of Independence was finally signed, thus forming the First Republic, which later collapsed due to the royalist reaction.
Causes and consequences
On Holy Thursday of April 19, 1810 an extraordinary Cabildo meets as an immediate response to the dissolution of the Supreme Board of Spain and the resignation of King Fernando VII. A movement arose in the city of Caracas on Holy Thursday of April 19, 1810. The movement originated from the rejection of the Caracas people to the new governor Vicente Emparan, who had been appointed by the Supreme Board of Spain, dissolved at that time by court order.
On Holy Thursday of April 19, while Captain General Vicente Emparan was going to mass, a group belonging to the aristocracy and Creole bourgeoisie (children of Spaniards but born in America), members of the Cabildo of Caracas, then did not know the Captain General of Venezuela.
He did not agree with this, and from the window of the town hall he asked the people who had gathered in the main square (today Plaza Bolívar) if they wanted him to continue ruling, the priest José Cortés de Madariaga, signaled to the crowd to answer "NO". Emparan said that then he did not want the command either, he resigned and went to Spain. The Act of April 19, 1810 is also signed, it is alleged that they acted on behalf of Fernando VII, deposed king of Spain, and in disobedience to José I.
A Governing Board is then established that takes the following initiatives: establish similar boards in the provinces of Cumaná, Margarita, Barinas, Barcelona, Trujillo and Mérida; in addition to freeing foreign trade, banning the trade in black slaves, creating the Patriotic Society (to promote agriculture and industry), as well as the Academy of Mathematics. Diplomatic delegations are sent to countries that could support the insurrection: England, the United States and New Granada. Three provinces remain loyal to the government established in Spain: Maracaibo, Coro and Guayana.
This ignorance of the authority of the Captain General of Venezuela is a step to July 5, 1811, with the signing of the Act of the Declaration of Independence of Venezuela in which Venezuela formally declares its independence.