Juan Álvarez Hurtado (1790 - 1876) was a Mexican military man and politician who played a major role in both the War of Independence and in subsequent decades. He was born in Atoyac, which would later be renamed in his honor as Ciudad Álvarez, given the achievements he achieved during his life.
As a military man he is recognized for his struggles during Independence , cause to which it was added after knowing Jose Maria Morelos. Likewise, he was in charge of carrying out the capture of Acapulco following the one known as Plan de Iguala.
Already after independence, he fought Emperor Iturbide , by not agreeing with their way of taking the country. Years later, he would also participate in the uprising that would end the presidency of Santa Anna.
Apart from this, he fought the French during the Cakes war and to the Americans in the 1847 conflict.
As for his political activity, he managed to reach the presidency of Mexico after getting Santa Anna out of power. He was only in office for 2 months, but they were enough to leave his mark and the so-called Reform Laws.
Index
- 1 Childhood and first years in the army
- 1.1 Álvarez Hurtado in the War of Independence
- 2 Federalist ideas and confrontations with Iturbide and Santa Anna
- 2.1 War of the Cakes and with the United States
- 3 Political life
- 3.1 Plan of Ayutla
- 4 Presidency
- 4.1 Last service to the country
- 5 References
Childhood and first years in the army
Juan Nepomuceno Álvarez Hurtado, full name of the Mexican military, was born on January 27, 1790 in a wealthy family. This allowed him to go to study the primary stage in Mexico City.
I would not return to Atoyac until I was 17 years old to find an unpleasant surprise. Álvarez Hurtado hoped to receive his inheritance, which was quite copious. However, his guardian not only did not give it to him, but he had it working, almost slave conditions in his own farm.
It would not be until he turned 20, when he took advantage of the Morelos crossing in the area to leave that life behind. Thus, in 1810, he joined the troops fighting for the independence of Mexico.
Álvarez Hurtado in the War of Independence
Little by little, he gained prestige for his work in the army that sought independence. He highlighted his role in the battles of El Aguatillo and La Sabana, as well as in the capture of Tixtla.
When his first mentor, Morelos, was shot, he joined the troops of Vicente Guerrero, who had begun a guerrilla war against the royalist supporters. Álvarez not only participated in the war, but also contributed men, weapons and money. That is why the Government of the Viceroyalty confiscated all their lands and possessions.
Already in 1821, with the Plan of Iguala declaring independence, he was entrusted to take Acapulco, still in the hands of the royalists. Having achieved this, he is appointed head of the Military Command of that city, holding office until 1823.
Federalist ideas and confrontations with Iturbide and Santa Anna
The ideas of Álvarez would soon clash with the form of government that Agustín de Iturbide intended to establish. Faced with the monarchy that Iturbide wanted, he supported the creation of a Federal Republic, so I try that Vicente Guerrero will come to power. However, he could not prevent him from being killed.
Before the actions of the government, led by Iturbide who had proclaimed himself emperor, Alvarez fought against him, trying to change the regime. That fight would continue later, against the government of Anastasio Bustamante.
War of the Cakes and with the United States
This enmity with the government of the country did not prevent Alvarez from fighting against the French intervention in 1838. Known as the War of the Cakes, it was an attempt by the European power to obtain economic privileges.
He also participated years later in the armed confrontation between Mexico and its northern neighbors, always eager to expand their territory and with their eyes on Texas.
The Mexican government was under the presidency of Santa Anna who accused Álvarez of having made many mistakes in the battle of the Molino del Rey and ordered him to withdraw the troops.
Political life
Despite this setback, it can be considered that Alvarez began his political career being very popular among its citizens. In fact, faithful to his federalist ideas, he managed to create the State of Guerrero in 1849.
At first, he served as temporary governor, until the first elections were held. These confirmed him in the position, so he became the first constitutional president of the state.
From the beginning he developed a liberal policy, which contrasted with the authoritarianism and conservatism of the central government. This led, in 1954, to be one of the leaders of the movement that would overthrow Santa Anna.
Plan of Ayutla
The discontent with Santa Anna led to several military plotting a plan to overthrow him. The first meeting of these was held in 1854, in the State of Guerrero. The call came from Florencio Villareal and among those summoned were Álvarez Hurtado and Ignacio Comonfort.
The result of the meeting was expressed in the so-called Ayutla Plan, which declared the end of the Santa Anna presidency as its main objectives, that its successor be elected by representatives of the states and convene a Congress to create a representative Republic. .
Santa Anna tried to stop the insurrection, sending a large army to Acapulco. However, he did not achieve his goal, so he had to return to the capital. There, trying to stay in power, he called a plebiscite, so that the population gave his opinion about who should exercise the presidency.
The result was not what I expected: the name chosen was Álvarez's. Santa Anna did not respect what had come out in the vote and the rebellion spread to more states.
A year later, faced with the evidence that he had no support, Santa Anna abdicated. In the peace conference held below, Álvarez is named President of the Republic.
Presidency
The presidential term was very short, by own decision. Only two months that served him to carry out various reforms aimed at changing the country.
Basically, they can be summarized in two different laws, called Ley Juarez: called the Congress in order to write a new Constitution (the 1857) and abolished the fueros, both ecclesiastics, and the military.
After this, he left the presidency, assumed then by Comonfort, and returned to Guerrero.
Last service to the country
Despite his age and some health problems, Álvarez Hurtado still had time to fight again for his country and his ideas. In this way, he participated in the fight against the French in his second intervention in Mexico. He even replaced Benito Juarez at times.
Shortly after Maximilian's Empire was defeated by Mexican forces, Álvarez died in Acapulco. It was the 21 of August of 1867, being the last of the fighters for the Independence in passing away.
References
- EcuRed. Juan Álvarez Retrieved from ecured.cu
- The tireless Juan Nepomuceno Álvarez Hurtado Military and Mexican politician, President of the Republic (1855), Morelos Mexico. Retrieved from elincansable.wordpress.com
- Presidentes.mx. Juan N. Álvarez. Retrieved from presidentes.mx
- Didactic Encyclopedia. BIOGRAPHY OF JUAN ALVAREZ - JUAN ÁLVAREZ BENÍTEZ. Retrieved from edukalife.blogspot.com.es
- The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Juan Álvarez Retrieved from britannica.com
- Historical Text. Alvarez, Juan N.: Federalist, Revolutionary, and Liberator. Retrieved from historicaltextarchive.com
- Minster, Christopher. Biography of Antonio Lopez of Santa Anna. Retrieved from thoughtco.com
- The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Equals Plan. Retrieved from britannica.com