This paper discusses, from a historical perspective, the forms of representation of the independence process present in textbooks that circulated in schools in the Colombian Caribbean region during the twentieth century. Some of the most representative texts of history for schools in the region were selected as the source and object of study; through them, are analyzed and identified aspects closely related to independence, such as national identity, the citizenship formation processes, the construction of the nation state and the role of the Caribbean region as founder of the new republican regime in those times. The paper places special emphasis on the analysis of historiographical and pedagogical trends pertaining to the textbooks analyzed and which eventually undoubtedly influenced the type of representation and collective imaginary about the process of independence embodied in these artifacts of ideological and cultural character. keywords : Independence, textbooks, Colombian Caribbean, schools, state, nation, citizenship. fecha de recepcion: marzo 13 de 2013 fecha de aceptac ion: agosto 6 de 2013 02_Representaciones sobre la Independencia.indd 343 27/11/2013 9:18:04 investigacion & desarrollo vol 21, n° 2 (2013) pags. 342-370 issn 2011-7574 (on line) 344 Luis Alfonso Alarcon Meneses