Colombia

Abstract

The Republic of Colombia, which in colonial days was called ‘Viceroyalty of New Granada,’ gained its independence of Spain in 1819, and was officially constituted 17 Dec, 1819, together with the present territories of Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador, the state of ‘Greater Colombia,’ which continued for about 12 years. It then split up into Venezuela, Ecuador and the republic of New Granada in 1830. The constitution of 22 May, 1858, changed New Granada into a confederation of 8 states, under the name of Confederation Granadina. 8 May, 1863, saw another constitution, and the adoption of the name of the United States of Colombia. The revolution of 1885 led the National Council of Bogota, composed of 2 delegates from each state, to promulgate the constitution of 5 Aug., 1886, forming the republic of Colombia, which abolished the sovereignty of the states, converting them into departments, with governors appointed by the President of the Republic, though they retained some of their old rights, such as the management of their own finances. A decree of May, 1928, abolished their right to borrow abroad without the sanction of the central Government.