The first actions by the revolutionary government involved the creation of free trade within Venezuela, which consolidated power among the upper-class aristocrats which led the confederation.[2] Shortly after the establishment of the confederation, royalist sympathizers within the revolutionary territory began to plot the reinstallation of Spanish power in the region.[3] Royalists began promising freedom and rights to black slaves, who held contempt toward the Criollo aristocrats who held power during the confederation.[4] However, attempts to reestablish Spanish rule initially failed.