The Spanish Reconquest

It was the process of restoration of the Spanish government in our territory. It began in
1816 when the Spanish authorities retook control of the Viceroyalty and lasted until
1819. In 1814, King Ferdinand VII returned to the throne and proposed regain control
over its colonies in America. For this, he organized the Pacifying Expedition commanded
by General Pablo Morillo. The Spanish military campaign followed a very detailed plan:
take the city of Cartagena, which resisted for 105 days until December 1815, and then
enter the New Kingdom of Granada by four different routes: Choco; Antioquia and
Cauca; the Magdalena River; and Ocaa.
On May 26, 1816, Morillo, known as the Peacemaker, arrived in Santa Fe and began
the persecution and punishment of the Creoles who participated in independence.
Because of the violent practices imposed by the peacemaker, this period is known as
the Reign of Terror. Many Creoles were shot, including Camilo Torres, Francisco Jose
de Caldas, Policarpa Salavarrieta and Antonia Santos. Those who managed to escape,
they did towards the eastern plains, where the liberating army integrated. Although the
Reign of Terror intimidated neogranadinos, also he increased his desire for
independence.

The wars of independence

Once the reconquest began to achieve its goal, in the viceregal the liberating campaign
led by Francisco de Paula Santander, who joined Simon Bolivar in 1817. The campaign
started in 1819 in the eastern plains and its development began major battles took place
among which we highlight the Pantano de Vargas and Boyac Bridge fought on August
7, 1819, and marked the final defeat of the Spanish army.