José Batlle y Ordóñez
Encyclopedia
José Pablo Torcuato Batlle y Ordóñez (May 21, 1856 – October 20, 1929) was the president of Uruguay
in 1899 (interim) and from 1903 until 1907 and for a further term from 1911 to 1915. He was the son of former president, Lorenzo Batlle y Grau
. His children César
, Rafael and Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco
were actively engaged in politics. He was also the uncle of another Uruguayan president, Luis Batlle Berres
and the great-uncle of the ex-president, Jorge Batlle.
He and his family are some of the most prominent members of the Colorado Party
. He was a prominent journalist, who founded El Día in 1886.
. During this time he fought for such things as unemployment compensation
(1914), eight-hour workdays (1915), and universal suffrage
.
All of this brought a great government involvement into the economy
. Private monopolies
were turned into government monopolies and tariffs were imposed on foreign products, including machinery and raw material imports. The growth of the meat processing industry stimulated the livestock industry, Uruguay's main source of wealth.
started a process of great expansion since the mid-to-late 19th century. It became the key to success for the middle class
community. The state approved free high school education
and created more high schools through the country. The university was also opened to women, and the enrollment increased throughout the country.
which had persisted for many years, when the opposing National leader Aparicio Saravia
was killed at the battle of Masoller
. Without their leader, Saravia's followers abandoned their fight, starting a period of relative peace.
During Batlle y Ordóñez's term in office, religion
became a major focus. Uruguay banned crucifix
es in hospitals by 1906, and eliminated references to God and the Gospel in public oaths. Divorce
laws were also established during this time.
, similar to the Swiss Federal Council
.
, a National Party deputy, whose son Washington Beltrán
would become President of Uruguay
.
and a neighbourhood in Montevideo
are named after him.
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
in 1899 (interim) and from 1903 until 1907 and for a further term from 1911 to 1915. He was the son of former president, Lorenzo Batlle y Grau
Lorenzo Batlle y Grau
Lorenzo Cristóbal Manuel Batlle y Grau was the President of Uruguay from 1868–1872.-Family Background and early career:He was the son of a wealthy merchant loyal to the Spanish crown...
. His children César
César Batlle Pacheco
-Background:A journalist by profession, he was a son of José Batlle y Ordóñez, President of Uruguay 1899, 1903–1907 and 1911-1915. Brother of Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco and Rafael Batlle Pacheco.He was a prominent member of the Uruguayan Colorado Party....
, Rafael and Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco
Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco
Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco was a Uruguayan political figure and journalist.- Background :He was a journalist on the El Día newspaper and a prominent member of the Uruguayan Colorado Party. He was a son of long-serving President of Uruguay José Batlle y Ordóñez. Brother of Rafael and César Batlle...
were actively engaged in politics. He was also the uncle of another Uruguayan president, Luis Batlle Berres
Luis Batlle Berres
Luis Conrado Batlle y Berres was a Uruguayan political figure.-Background:Batlle Berres was a journalist and prominent member of the Uruguayan Colorado Party...
and the great-uncle of the ex-president, Jorge Batlle.
He and his family are some of the most prominent members of the Colorado Party
Colorado Party (Uruguay)
The Colorado Party is a political party in Uruguay.- Aims :It unites Conservative, Moderate and Social democratic groups. It was the dominant party of government almost without exception during the stabilisation of the Uruguayan republic....
. He was a prominent journalist, who founded El Día in 1886.
Economy
During Batlle's second term, he began a new movement and referred to as Batllismo: concerted state action against foreign economic imperialismEconomic imperialism
Economic imperialism in contemporary economics refers to economic analysis of seemingly non-economic aspects of life, such as crime, law, the family, prejudice, tastes, irrational behavior, politics, sociology,culture, religion, war, and science and research.Its emergence has been attributed...
. During this time he fought for such things as unemployment compensation
Unemployment benefit
Unemployment benefits are payments made by the state or other authorized bodies to unemployed people. Benefits may be based on a compulsory para-governmental insurance system...
(1914), eight-hour workdays (1915), and universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
.
All of this brought a great government involvement into the economy
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. Private monopolies
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
were turned into government monopolies and tariffs were imposed on foreign products, including machinery and raw material imports. The growth of the meat processing industry stimulated the livestock industry, Uruguay's main source of wealth.
Education
EducationEducation
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
started a process of great expansion since the mid-to-late 19th century. It became the key to success for the middle class
Middle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
community. The state approved free high school education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
and created more high schools through the country. The university was also opened to women, and the enrollment increased throughout the country.
First term
In 1904 Batlle's government forces successfully ended the intermittent Uruguayan Civil WarUruguayan Civil War
The Uruguayan Civil War, also known as "Guerra Grande", was a series of armed conflicts that took place between the Colorado Party and the National Party in Uruguay from 1839 to 1851...
which had persisted for many years, when the opposing National leader Aparicio Saravia
Aparicio Saravia
Aparicio Saravia da Rosa was a Uruguayan politician and military leader...
was killed at the battle of Masoller
Battle of Masoller
The Battle of Masoller, which occurred on September 1, 1904, was the final battle of the intermittent Uruguayan Civil War which marked much of 19th century Uruguay, resulting in the victory of the Colorado forces.-Location and historical background:...
. Without their leader, Saravia's followers abandoned their fight, starting a period of relative peace.
During Batlle y Ordóñez's term in office, religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
became a major focus. Uruguay banned crucifix
Crucifix
A crucifix is an independent image of Jesus on the cross with a representation of Jesus' body, referred to in English as the corpus , as distinct from a cross with no body....
es in hospitals by 1906, and eliminated references to God and the Gospel in public oaths. Divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
laws were also established during this time.
Second term
In 1913, Batlle proposed a reorganization of the government which would replace the presidency by a nine-member councilCouncil of State
The Council of State is a unique governmental body in a country or subdivision thereoff, though its nature may range from the formal name for the cabinet to a non-executive advisory body surrounding a head of state. It is sometimes regarded as the equivalent of a privy council.-Modern:*Belgian...
, similar to the Swiss Federal Council
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
.
Post-presidency
In 1920 Batlle gave death in a duel to Washington Beltrán BarbatWashington Beltrán Barbat
Washington Beltrán Barbat was a Uruguayan political figure and journalist.-Background and career:Originally from Tacuarembó, Beltrán moved to Montevideo and became a lawyer and a prolific journalist and writer...
, a National Party deputy, whose son Washington Beltrán
Washington Beltrán
Washington Beltrán Mullin was a Uruguayan political figure.-Background:A journalist by profession, and son of deputy Washington Beltrán Barbat, killed in 1920 in a duel with former Colorado President José Batlle y Ordóñez, Washington Beltrán was a prominent member of the Uruguayan National ...
would become President of Uruguay
President of Uruguay
The President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay is the head of state of Uruguay. His or her rights are determined in the Constitution of Uruguay. Conforms with the Secretariat of the Presidency, the Council of Ministers and the Director of the Office of Planning and Budget, the executive branch...
.
Legacy
A public parkParque Batlle
Parque Batlle is a barrio and a major public central park in Montevideo, Uruguay. It is named in honour of José Batlle y Ordóñez, President of Uruguay from 1911–1915...
and a neighbourhood in Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
are named after him.