Antonio Guzmán Blanco
Encyclopedia
Antonio Leocadio Guzmán Blanco (28 February 1829 – 28 July 1899) was President of Venezuela for three separate terms, from 1870–1877, from 1879–1884, and from 1886–1887.
Guzmán was born in Caracas as the son of Antonio Leocadio Guzmán, a Venezuelan journalist, politician as well as founder of the Liberal Party
and Carlota Blanco Jerez de Aristiguieta. He was banished by the administration of General Julián Castro
, and accompanied General Juan Crisóstomo Falcón
in his invasion of Venezuela, becoming his general secretary. After the final defeat of Falcón at Cople in September, 1860, Guzmán accompanied his chief in his flight, and was sent to the West Indies to solicit assistance. Toward the end of 1861 he landed again with Falcón on the coast of Coro, and after numerous engagements signed on 22 May 1863, the treaty of Coche, by which arms were laid down, and a general assembly called at Victoria, which elected Falcón president and Guzmán vice president. The latter was at the same time secretary of the treasury, and went to London to negotiate a loan.
On his return he was for a short time in charge of the executive, and afterward was elected president of congress. After the overthrow of Falcón in 1868, Guzmán left the country, but headed a revolution in 1869, and in 1870 became provisional president with extraordinary powers, ruling the country for seven years as a dictator. His successor, General Francisco Linares Alcántara
, died in office in December, 1878, and there were several revolutionary uprisings, till Guzmán assumed the government again. In the elections of 1883 General Joaquín Crespo
, one of his friends, was declared president, and Guzmán became ambassador to France, living with great ostentation in Paris. In 1886 he again assumed the presidency; his successor, the undistinguished Hermógenes López
, was also understood to be under his influence.
The autocratic nature of Guzmán's regimes contrast sharply with the many economic and legal reforms and achievements that they brought about. His government was responsible for the creation of the modern currency (bolívar
), the restoration of the national anthem, the second national census, the railroad between Caracas
and La Guaira
, the foundation of the Venezuelan Academy of the Language, the telephone service between Caracas and La Guaira, promotion of agriculture and education (Decree of Public and Obligatory Instruction of 1870), stimulus to commerce, and important public works (the National Pantheon
, the Capitol, and the Municipal Theater, among others.)
Also a distinguished freemason, he sharply reduced the power of the Roman Catholic Church
in Venezuela
while in office.
Guzmán was born in Caracas as the son of Antonio Leocadio Guzmán, a Venezuelan journalist, politician as well as founder of the Liberal Party
Great Liberal Party of Venezuela
The Great Liberal Party of Venezuela was a political party in Venezuela, founded on August 21, 1840 by Antonio Leocadio Guzmán and Tomás Lander, through an editorial published by Guzmán at El Venezolano newspaper....
and Carlota Blanco Jerez de Aristiguieta. He was banished by the administration of General Julián Castro
Julián Castro
- See also :*Venezuela*Presidents of Venezuela...
, and accompanied General Juan Crisóstomo Falcón
Juan Crisóstomo Falcón
Juan Crisóstomo Falcón y Zavarce , was the 20th President of Venezuela as well as military commander during the Federal War. Member of the Liberal party, first served as the supreme chief of a rebel movement in August 1859, but the rebellion was soon crushed. After the Coche treaty, is recognized...
in his invasion of Venezuela, becoming his general secretary. After the final defeat of Falcón at Cople in September, 1860, Guzmán accompanied his chief in his flight, and was sent to the West Indies to solicit assistance. Toward the end of 1861 he landed again with Falcón on the coast of Coro, and after numerous engagements signed on 22 May 1863, the treaty of Coche, by which arms were laid down, and a general assembly called at Victoria, which elected Falcón president and Guzmán vice president. The latter was at the same time secretary of the treasury, and went to London to negotiate a loan.
On his return he was for a short time in charge of the executive, and afterward was elected president of congress. After the overthrow of Falcón in 1868, Guzmán left the country, but headed a revolution in 1869, and in 1870 became provisional president with extraordinary powers, ruling the country for seven years as a dictator. His successor, General Francisco Linares Alcántara
Francisco Linares Alcántara
Francisco de Paula Linares Alcántara was President of Venezuela and a member of the Liberal Party of Venezuela, military and Venezuelan politician, president of the Republic , Congress gave him the title of “the Great Democrat”Francisco Linares, spent his childhood in the town of Turmero...
, died in office in December, 1878, and there were several revolutionary uprisings, till Guzmán assumed the government again. In the elections of 1883 General Joaquín Crespo
Joaquín Crespo
Joaquín Sinforiano de Jesús Crespo Torres was a politician, soldier, a member of the Great Liberal Party of Venezuela and President of Venezuela from 1884 to 1886 and again from 1892 to 1898...
, one of his friends, was declared president, and Guzmán became ambassador to France, living with great ostentation in Paris. In 1886 he again assumed the presidency; his successor, the undistinguished Hermógenes López
Hermógenes López
Hermógenes López was a Venezuelan soldier, farmer and acting president of his country between 1887 and 1888, after the resignation of General Antonio Guzmán Blanco as cause of his voluntary exile in Paris.There is no such information about his childhood, only that was limited to elementary...
, was also understood to be under his influence.
The autocratic nature of Guzmán's regimes contrast sharply with the many economic and legal reforms and achievements that they brought about. His government was responsible for the creation of the modern currency (bolívar
Venezuelan bolívar
The bolívar fuerte is the currency of Venezuela since 1 January 2008. It is subdivided into 100 céntimos and replaced the bolívar at the rate of Bs.F. 1 = Bs...
), the restoration of the national anthem, the second national census, the railroad between Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
and La Guaira
La Guaira
La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...
, the foundation of the Venezuelan Academy of the Language, the telephone service between Caracas and La Guaira, promotion of agriculture and education (Decree of Public and Obligatory Instruction of 1870), stimulus to commerce, and important public works (the National Pantheon
Panteón Nacional
The Panthéon is a building in the northern edge of the old town of Caracas, Venezuela. It was originally built as a church, but is now used as a famous burial place...
, the Capitol, and the Municipal Theater, among others.)
Also a distinguished freemason, he sharply reduced the power of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
while in office.