Francisco de Miranda und die Entdeckung Europas: Eine Biographie (review)

Francisco de Miranda und die Entdeckung Europas: Eine Biographie. By Michael Zeuske. Münster: Lit Verlag, 1995. Notes. Bibliography. 298 pp. Paper.

This book deals with the extraordinary and adventurous life of Spanish America's forerunner of Independence. In writing this biography the author intended to acquaint the German-speaking public with one of the most fascinating figures of Latin American history about whom little is known. The author has indeed accomplished this goal very well.

The book consists of a preface, some 15 chapters with a bibliography at the end of each chapter, an epilogue, a selection of the most important Miranda documents, and a chronology. In the preface the author mentions that he developed an interest in the topic after he read an article written by Anna Seghers, after she returned from her Mexican exile. Segher's work set the basis for the author's study undertaken in the years 1986-87 which later appeared in a modified version as the fifth volume of the Hamburg Ibero American Studies series.

In his first three chapters Zeuske delves into Miranda's youth, his studies in Caracas and his experience in Spain (1750-75). In the fourth and fifth chapters the author deals with Miranda's involvement in the American Revolution where, also, his goal of establishing a free "Colombia" was conceived. Chapters 6 through 13 cover Miranda's discovery of Europe, his 20 years in the Old Continent, rise in revolutionary France, and his difficult negotiations with Britain regarding an independent Spanish America. The last two chapters focus on his return to the New World, role in Venezuelan independence, and his defeat and capture by the Royalists.

The epilogue deals with the German and Austrian sources on Miranda, such as the reports of Austrian diplomatic representatives, and the many reports of other foreign officials. Zeuske's book represents a valuable contribution to the study of Miranda's life. It is solidly grounded in documentary sources and his methodology is sound. Moreover, his writing is clear, attractive and stimulating. In sum, this is a book that would not only appeal to the Latin American specialist and to the historian, but also the general public.

It is a pity that the author paid scant attention to the philosophical background of the subject. Although there is mention of the Enlightenment (pp. 8, 35-36), Zeuske did not distinguish between the general tenets of the Enlightenment and those of the Spanish variety. The latter was a Christian Enlightenment in which religious faith and rational enthusiasm found an extraordinary harmony and balance. Moreover, Scholasticism, the leading philosophical movement, even if in decline, was only briefly mentioned (p. 15).

Zeuske does not stress enough that his hero, in reality, very much followed Hispanic traditions. He does mention the historic pact between the Spanish monarchs and the Spanish American people of the sixteenth century, and points out that at the time (1785) Miranda still thought along traditional lines (p. 85), but the reader gets the impression that he was solely a product of the Enlightenment. While it is true that Miranda was influenced by the Enlightenment, this represents only one aspect of his philosophy. After all, when Miranda calls for a federation of free cabildos (p. 234) he simply followed into the footsteps of an old tradition already publicly stated in New Granada by Bernardo de Vargas Machuca (1555-1622).

This leads to the final conclusion which the author does not draw: the Enlightenment did not produce Independence; on the contrary, independence produced the Enlightenment. Napolean's usurpation of the Spanish throne resulted in the application of the Scholastic pactum translationis with the establishment of juntas in defense of the legitimate ruler, which was not a subterfuge.

O. CARLOS STOETZER, Fordham University

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