Republic of New Granada

The Republic of New Granada was the centralist state that carried Colombia and Panama through the middle nineteenth century, from Gran Colombia's breakup in 1831 to the federal constitution of 1858. Born when Ecuador and Venezuela walked away, it kept the Gran Colombian colors, raised Bogota as its capital, and spent twenty-seven years arguing about priests and provinces. The Church against the Liberals, Bogota against the regions: the War of the Supremes began over closed monasteries in 1839, Panama twice tried to leave, Lopez freed the slaves and expelled the Jesuits in 1851 and was answered with revolt, Obando fell to Melo's coup in 1854, Melo crowned himself dictator and was ousted within months, Panama's bids of 1840 and 1850 failed, seven states were carved out in 1855 to 1857, and Mosquera's 1860 rising finished the central republic. In 1858 the country accepted federalism and renamed itself the Granadine Confederation, trading unity for survival.