Enrique Hertzog
Encyclopedia
Enrique Hertzog Garaizabal (born in La Paz
on December 10, 1896; died in Buenos Aires
, Argentina
, on December 18, 1981) was a Bolivia
n politician who was elected President
of his country in 1947. He resigned in 1949.
. In 1947, he ran for President on a ticket of united Republican factions (former Saavedrists, Genuines, etc.) calling themselves Partido de la Unión Republicana Socialista (PURS). He won against the Liberal leader Fernando Guachalla and the reformist candidate Víctor Paz Estenssoro
, who led the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (Nationalist Revolutionary Movement).
Hertzog faced innumerable obstacles during his term, mostly in the form of constant rebellion from the lower sectors of society, as represented by striking miners and union workers. He was also saddled with the implacable opposition of Paz's MNR party and its allies, in addition to a declining economy. In essence, the attempt of the privileged sectors (led by Hertzog himself) to "turn back the clock" to the oligarchic pre-Chaco War status quo did not work. Rising expectations and demands from an increasingly activist and indeed, violent, popular class, combined with the unwillingness or inability of the governing elites to give concession that would undermine their power, led the country to the very brink of civil war. Escalating repressive measures only bred further discontent. When the legislative elections of 1949 confirmed the dramatic ascendancy of the parties of the Left, the PURS leadership lost trust in the relatively more conciliatory Hertzog's ability to control the situation. They forced his resignation in favor of his far more combative Vice-President, Mamerto Urriolagoitia
, specifying a non-existent illness. A few months later Hertzog was named Bolivia's Ambassador to Spain. Following the 1952 Revolution that brought Paz Estenssoro's MNR party to power, the ex-President remained exiled in the Spanish capital until his death (retired from any political activity) in 1981. He ran for President in 1966 (on behalf of remnants of the pre-Revolution parties) against Rene Barrientos
, but only got a small share of the vote.
La Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra...
on December 10, 1896; died in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, on December 18, 1981) was a Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n politician who was elected President
President of Bolivia
The President of Bolivia is head of state and head of government of Bolivia. According to the current Constitution, the president is elected by popular vote to a five year term, renewable once...
of his country in 1947. He resigned in 1949.
Biography
A medical doctor by trade, Hertzog joined the Genuine Republican Party of Daniel Salamanca in the 1920s, and rose to become Minister of War during the 1932-35 Chaco conflict against ParaguayParaguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
. In 1947, he ran for President on a ticket of united Republican factions (former Saavedrists, Genuines, etc.) calling themselves Partido de la Unión Republicana Socialista (PURS). He won against the Liberal leader Fernando Guachalla and the reformist candidate Víctor Paz Estenssoro
Víctor Paz Estenssoro
Ángel Víctor Paz Estenssoro was a politician and president of Bolivia. He ran for president 8 times , winning in 1951, 1960, 1964, and 1985....
, who led the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (Nationalist Revolutionary Movement).
Hertzog faced innumerable obstacles during his term, mostly in the form of constant rebellion from the lower sectors of society, as represented by striking miners and union workers. He was also saddled with the implacable opposition of Paz's MNR party and its allies, in addition to a declining economy. In essence, the attempt of the privileged sectors (led by Hertzog himself) to "turn back the clock" to the oligarchic pre-Chaco War status quo did not work. Rising expectations and demands from an increasingly activist and indeed, violent, popular class, combined with the unwillingness or inability of the governing elites to give concession that would undermine their power, led the country to the very brink of civil war. Escalating repressive measures only bred further discontent. When the legislative elections of 1949 confirmed the dramatic ascendancy of the parties of the Left, the PURS leadership lost trust in the relatively more conciliatory Hertzog's ability to control the situation. They forced his resignation in favor of his far more combative Vice-President, Mamerto Urriolagoitia
Mamerto Urriolagoitia
Mamerto Urriolagoitía Harriague was President of Bolivia, from 1949 to 1951. Of privileged background, he studied in France and later joined the Bolivian diplomatic service. In 1947, Urriolagoitia was elected Vice-President to Dr...
, specifying a non-existent illness. A few months later Hertzog was named Bolivia's Ambassador to Spain. Following the 1952 Revolution that brought Paz Estenssoro's MNR party to power, the ex-President remained exiled in the Spanish capital until his death (retired from any political activity) in 1981. He ran for President in 1966 (on behalf of remnants of the pre-Revolution parties) against Rene Barrientos
René Barrientos
René Barrientos Ortuño was a Bolivian politician who served as his country's Vice President in 1964 and as its President from 1964 to 1969....
, but only got a small share of the vote.
Source
- Mesa José de; Gisbert, Teresa; and Carlos D. Mesa, "Historia de Bolivia", 3rd edition., pp. 579-582.