Lorenzo Latorre
Encyclopedia
Colonel Lorenzo Latorre (1844–1916) rose through the army in Uruguay
to become Minister of War and then President. Known as the dictador, he was well regarded and made improvements to Uruguay's education and finances. He resigned in 1880 after declaring Uruguay "ungovernable" and retired to Argentina.
in 1844. He joined the Colorado Army in 1863 and was promoted to ensign by 1865. On 2 May 1866 he was badly wounded at the Battle of Estero Bellaco
during the War of the Triple Alliance
against Paraguay
.
. Latorre's first term was military, however the emergence of the telegraph and new weaponry from Remington
and Mauser
gave an advantage to the established army over those who might have favoured a revolution. Latorre's supporters appreciated the stability that he brought to the nation and to its economy. Latorre was nominally a military dictator but he worked in partnership with the two main political parties and he was able to bring the country's beef industry back into profitability. He wanted to resign but on two occasions his requests were put aside.
Although his predecessor, Pedro Varela, had instituted educational reform it was Latorre who put the plans into operation. His 1877 "Law of Common Education" provided free, compulsory, non-religious co-education. His Minister of Education introduced reforms that would permanently improve literacy and allow women to aspire to join the leading professions. In Uruguay in 1870 literacy was 20%, but within forty years it had risen to 60% (This is particularly remarkable as the population tripled over this period). He revolutionised the transport system, including the railways. Latorre increased the government's revenues, which others had found difficult because of the logistics of taxing a rural population who moved to follow the cattle. This may have been because of his rural reforms, which included enclosures and encouraging Anglo immigration (at the expense of the gauchos). Although known as the "dictador", Latorre was popular. He improved the lot of the wealthiest as well as that of the common person in Uruguay. Within the army he improved the lot of even the lowest in society. He abolished rules that required coloured people to serve in the army without choice. He saw this requirement as not only against the fundamental principles of equal rights in the country but also to "the democratic principles to which we adhere."
His second period leading Uruguay was nominally as a President of the Colorado Party
. However Latorre was accustomed to leading a military chain of command and he frequently clashed with others of the democratic authorities.
. In 1975 his remains were returned to his country and buried in the National Cemetery.
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...
to become Minister of War and then President. Known as the dictador, he was well regarded and made improvements to Uruguay's education and finances. He resigned in 1880 after declaring Uruguay "ungovernable" and retired to Argentina.
Biography
Lorenzo Antonio Inocencio Latorre Jampen was the son of an immigrant, born in MontevideoMontevideo
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...
in 1844. He joined the Colorado Army in 1863 and was promoted to ensign by 1865. On 2 May 1866 he was badly wounded at the Battle of Estero Bellaco
Battle of Estero Bellaco
The Battle of Estero Bellaco was one of the bloodiest battles of the War of the Triple Alliance , with the Republic of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay banded together against the Paraguayan government of Marshal Francisco Solano López.This battle took place on...
during the War of the Triple Alliance
War of the Triple Alliance
The Paraguayan War , also known as War of the Triple Alliance , was a military conflict in South America fought from 1864 to 1870 between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay...
against Paraguay
Paraguay
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...
.
Ministry
In 1876 Latorre was minister of war when a meeting was held to resolve the problem caused by the resignation of the previous two Presidents. Latorre was offered the position of President of UruguayPresident 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...
. Latorre's first term was military, however the emergence of the telegraph and new weaponry from Remington
Remington Arms
Remington Arms Company, Inc. was founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, as E. Remington and Sons. It is the oldest company in the United States which still makes its original product, and is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It is the only U.S....
and Mauser
Mauser
Mauser was a German arms manufacturer of a line of bolt-action rifles and pistols from the 1870s to 1995. Mauser designs were built for the German armed forces...
gave an advantage to the established army over those who might have favoured a revolution. Latorre's supporters appreciated the stability that he brought to the nation and to its economy. Latorre was nominally a military dictator but he worked in partnership with the two main political parties and he was able to bring the country's beef industry back into profitability. He wanted to resign but on two occasions his requests were put aside.
Although his predecessor, Pedro Varela, had instituted educational reform it was Latorre who put the plans into operation. His 1877 "Law of Common Education" provided free, compulsory, non-religious co-education. His Minister of Education introduced reforms that would permanently improve literacy and allow women to aspire to join the leading professions. In Uruguay in 1870 literacy was 20%, but within forty years it had risen to 60% (This is particularly remarkable as the population tripled over this period). He revolutionised the transport system, including the railways. Latorre increased the government's revenues, which others had found difficult because of the logistics of taxing a rural population who moved to follow the cattle. This may have been because of his rural reforms, which included enclosures and encouraging Anglo immigration (at the expense of the gauchos). Although known as the "dictador", Latorre was popular. He improved the lot of the wealthiest as well as that of the common person in Uruguay. Within the army he improved the lot of even the lowest in society. He abolished rules that required coloured people to serve in the army without choice. He saw this requirement as not only against the fundamental principles of equal rights in the country but also to "the democratic principles to which we adhere."
His second period leading Uruguay was nominally as a President 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....
. However Latorre was accustomed to leading a military chain of command and he frequently clashed with others of the democratic authorities.
Death
On 13 March 1880, Latorre resigned his presidency, declaring in his resignation speech that the people of Uruguay were "ungovernable". He died in 1916 in Buenos AiresBuenos 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...
. In 1975 his remains were returned to his country and buried in the National Cemetery.