What if the very republics you fought to create turned into your biggest enemies? That's exactly what happened to Simón Bolívar, the man who liberated half a continent only to watch his dream of a united South America crumble in his own lifetime. In this episode, Michael Stevens breaks down how the great liberator became a dictator in the eyes of his own people, and why his final years read like a political thriller gone wrong. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • How Gran Colombia completely collapsed by 1830, splitting into three separate nations despite Bolívar's vision • The shocking 1828 assassination attempt that forced Bolívar to become the very thing he once fought against: a dictator • Why Bolívar died penniless and in exile at just 47, fleeing the countries he had saved from Spanish rule 👤 Perfect for: history lovers who want to understand how even the greatest heroes can become villains in their own stories. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Michael Stevens introduces the final fall of Bolívar's dream [01:45] Gran Colombia starts tearing itself apart from within [04:30] The 1828 assassination plot that changed everything [07:15] Bolívar declares himself dictator to save his republic [09:30] The bitter end: exile, poverty, and death at 47 [11:00] What Bolívar's tragedy teaches us about political idealism 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow When Rome Burns on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Simón Bolívar, Gran Colombia, South American independence, political collapse, historical biography

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--------- Keywords: founding fathers, d-day, ancient rome, cultural disasters, empire decline, gold standard, historical catastrophes

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