Simon Bolivar played a key role in the liberation of many South American countries. He banded together an army of men, usually less than 10,000, who were loyal to him. He traveled all over the world watching other nations become liberated. He wanted to do the same for his home countries in South America.
In 1810, Bolivar, along with Francisco de Miranda, led a revolt into Caracas where as a team they took on the Spanish. Bolivar returned to Europe as he was in need of financial assistance. He returned and again had to fight the Spanish. He was not as successful however this did not slow him down. In 1813, Bolivar again led an attack into Venezuela. This time he was successful and became the leader of the country.
Bolivar was not content with sitting still. He and General Antonio Jose de Sucre went to Ecuador and defeated the Spanish. After this they went to Lima and conquered once again. After intense battling, Bolivar was able to liberate much of South America whereby Peru was formed as well as Bolivia.
Bolivar was not able to lead the countries as well as he was able to liberate them. He had an autocratic style which eventually led to his failure. The territories in which he was responsible for liberating eventually separated and became their own countries.
Although he was not able to maintain control, what Bolivar did and with the limited resources in which he did so, was truly remarkable. In a sense, Bolivar was responsible for the liberation of a territory equal to ½ the size of the United States.
http://www.carpenoctem.tv/military/bolivar.html
http://www.auburn.edu/~jfdrake/teachers/gould/bolivar.html
http://www.bolivarmo.com/history.htm