Manuel Isidoro Belzu
Manuel Isidoro Belzu Humérez (born April 14, 1808 in La Paz , Bolivia , † March 23, 1865 in La Paz) was a Bolivian politician and the 14th President (reign from December 6, 1848 to August 15, 1855).
Life
Manuel Isidoro Belzu (his surname is sometimes written Belzú ) was born into a humble family. He enjoyed an elementary education with Franciscans in La Paz, but left school in 1823 to join the army of Andrés de Santa Cruz . Soon after, he became an adjutant to General Agustín Gamarra . He resigned from the Peruvian army when it invaded Bolivia. He was later transferred to Tarija , where he married the Argentine writer Juana Manuela Gorriti , with whom he had two daughters: Edelmira and Mercedes.
As a military man, he excelled in various battles in the South American independence movement , which is why he quickly rose to the rank of colonel . First friends with José Ballivián (later President of Bolivia from 1841 to 1847), he fell out with him when he suspected that he was having a relationship with his wife and carried out an attack on his life in Oruro . This failed, which should lead to a lifelong enmity between the two future rulers of Bolivia, including participation in the coup d'état of 1847, which overthrew Ballivián. Under the next short-term president José Miguel Velasco (reign January to December 1848) Belzu became Minister of War; but he also fought him in the end, defeated him in the battle of Yamparáez and rose himself to the position of president.
Adored almost like a hero by the masses, especially the indigenous population (he was called Tata Belzú , "Father Belzú"), he was confirmed in office two years later in a constitutional election. In 1855, however, he abdicated after there had been numerous uprisings and internal disputes; Among other things, he was seriously injured in an assassination attempt in Sucre, instigated by the later President Agustín Morales . He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Jorge Córdova (reigned 1855-1857).
Belzu then traveled through Europe on various diplomatic missions, from where he returned to his country in 1865. The people of La Paz wanted to make him president again. He also defeated his opponent, General Mariano Melgarejo (President 1864–1871), militarily and entered La Paz, but in the midst of the triumphant reception he was murdered by Melgarejo on the steps of the government palace on March 23, 1865.
Political attitude
Belzu represented a populist and protectionist policy, which earned him enmity on the part of Great Britain , since he supported the local crafts and mines again nationalized . Under him the quinine production in the country was promoted. Much of his “people-friendly” government, however, was exhausted in rhetorical phrases; Most of the time he ruled with quasi- dictatorial powers.
See also
Web links
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| José Miguel de Velasco Franco |
President of Bolivia 1848 - 1855 |
Jorge Cordova |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Belzu, Manuel Isidoro |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Belzu Humerez, Manuel Isidoro |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Bolivian President |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 14, 1808 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | La Paz , Bolivia |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 23, 1865 |
| Place of death | La Paz , Bolivia |