Regional Power and Nation and State formation in Venezuela Maracaibo's political elite (1858-1870)

Abstract

All the research into the process formation and consolidation of the nation and state in Venezuela is biased towards historiographic centralism. Historians working on local and regional themes have put forward a new proposal based on the anaIysis category of historicaI region –concept that makes it possible to incorporate diverse regional and local forces into the study and teaching of the country's history.

In 1830, when the Republic of Venezuela was first established, the Maracaiban political elite had to adapt themselves to new forms of power organization; they had to strengthen by allying themselves with foreigners and create elements of cohesion to be able to face and conciliate frictions with Andes and Caraca's elites. Personal relations tightened by strategic bonds of kinship and defense of the province political autonomy made it posible for one and the same group to continue in power. During the federal decade with new local military leaderships, a new political generation that would govern Maracaibo's· destiny until the early 19th century was allowed through. 

Key words: elite, political power, locality, historical region, autonomy, political parties, caudillo, federalism, municipal power, centralism, regional historiography, Maracaibo, Zulia.