What if the man who liberated an entire continent couldn't build a nation that lasted even a decade? Simón Bolívar freed six countries from Spanish rule, but his political dream of Gran Colombia crumbled faster than anyone expected. In this episode, Michael Stevens breaks down how revolutionary heroes often struggle with the hardest part: what comes after victory. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why Bolívar's Gran Colombia fell apart in just 10 years, even after he liberated Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia • The fatal political mistake that turned South America's greatest liberator into a failed president • How Bolívar went from controlling half a continent to dying broke and alone in 1830, giving up his personal fortune for the cause 👤 Perfect for: history lovers who want to understand why building something new is always harder than tearing down what came before. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Michael Stevens introduces Bolívar's impossible challenge [02:00] From military genius to political disaster [04:30] The Gran Colombia experiment begins to crack [07:00] Why liberation skills don't translate to leadership [09:30] Bolívar's final years and the lesson for today's leaders [11:00] Key takeaways about revolutionary movements This isn't just about one man's failure. It's about the pattern that keeps repeating throughout history: the people who break systems often can't build the ones that replace them. Stevens connects Bolívar's story to modern political movements and shows why understanding this gap matters right now. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow When Rome Burns on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite historical insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Simón Bolívar, Gran Colombia, South American independence, political leadership, revolutionary movements

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