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Pedro Juan Caballero (politician)
Encyclopedia
Pedro Juan Caballero was a leading figure of Paraguayan independence. He was born in Tobatí a town located in a region called Department Cordillera
, Paraguay
. Even though he was 6 years younger than Fulgencio Yegros
and 20 than Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia
he played a significant role in the Revolution of Independence that occurred in the early morning hours of May 15, 1811.He was involved in the conspiracy of 1820 and committed suicide in his cell on July 13, 1821. The Paraguayan city of Pedro Juan Caballero
is named after him.
He participated in the battles of Tacuarí and Paraguari
against Belgrano.
On January 19, 1811, a battle was waged in Paraguari which became a triumph for Paraguay due to the Paraguayan leaders’ performance, forcing Belgrano to retreat his men southward.
On March 9, 1811, on the banks of River Tacuarí, while Belgrano
awaited reinforcements from Buenos Aires
, another battle was waged (the Battle of Tacuati). Belgrano called for capitulation, which was granted by the head of the Paraguayan Army.
went to the quarters located by the square, after curfew, where the second lieutenant Mauricio Jose Troche was on duty, in charge of a contingent of 34 men from Curuguaty
, and as a supporter of the revolution handed them the guard.
The quarters became the center of the revolution; political prisoners were released, weapons prepared, security measures taken and emissaries sent out of town to bring Fulgencio Yegros
and Manuel Atanasio Cabañas to Asuncion.
The cathedral bells resonated and throughout the city ran the cry: ¡ tumult in the square! Several people close to Governor Bernardo de Velasco tried to get into the quarters, but without success.
At midnight, Vicente Ignacio Iturbe came to the residence of Governor Velasco, carrying a note whereby Pedro Juan Caballero and his subordinates stated their demands, which could be summarized as follows:
• "The delivery of the square, all weapons and the Cabildo’s keys."
• "The Governor Velasco continue in government, but associated with two representatives appointed by the officers at the quarters."
The Governor Velasco was against any bloodshed, and came to the door to say:
"If this is because of authority, I deliver the command stick."
Upon Governor Velasco’s decision was known, the people felt great joy. A flag was raised and 21 cannonballs were fired.
, Pedro Juan Caballero, Francisco Javier Bogarín
, and Fernando de la Mora
as members.
Moreover, the assembly of October 1813 appointed him as President, and although he was the favorite to be named Consul of Paraguay the position was finally granted to Dr. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia and Fulgencio Yegros.
He was, as well as Juan Gamarra, one of the most tenacious opponents to Dr. Francia, who put pressure on Yegros to achieve the removal of Caballero from political activities.
troops; decided to change the coup’s date, sooner than initially scheduled, following the advise of Francia, and not to wait for the arrival of the troops of Fulgencio Yegros.
recognized the independence of Paraguay and committed both provinces to mutual assistance in case of war.
The Board, which was formed by Fulgencio Yegros, Pedro Caballero and Juan Fernando de la Mora, started several economic and cultural reforms, such as:
Cordillera Department
-History:During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries this area of the country was going through a serious crisis due to population bellicosity of the Indians from Chaco. The villagers from Tobatí located north of the river Pirapo then called, had to migrate south for the continue attacks by...
, 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...
. Even though he was 6 years younger than Fulgencio Yegros
Fulgencio Yegros
Fulgencio Yegros y Franco de Torres was Paraguayan soldier and first head of state of independent Paraguay.Yegros was born to a family of military tradition and also pursued a military career. He studied in Asunción and joined the army...
and 20 than Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia
José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia
200px|right|thumb|José Gaspar Rodríguez de FranciaDr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco was the first leader of Paraguay following its independence from Spain...
he played a significant role in the Revolution of Independence that occurred in the early morning hours of May 15, 1811.He was involved in the conspiracy of 1820 and committed suicide in his cell on July 13, 1821. The Paraguayan city of Pedro Juan Caballero
Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay
Pedro Juan Caballero is a city in Paraguay, located in Amambay Department of which it is the capital. The city lies on the border with the Brazilian city of Ponta Porã in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and is known as a centre for cheap electronic and consumer goods, and also as a centre for drug...
is named after him.
Military participation
Paraguarí
Paraguarí is a city, distrito and capital of Paraguarí Department in Paraguay, located 66 km from the country’s capital, Asunción. At the 2002 census it had a population of 22,154.- Toponymy :...
against Belgrano.
On January 19, 1811, a battle was waged in Paraguari which became a triumph for Paraguay due to the Paraguayan leaders’ performance, forcing Belgrano to retreat his men southward.
On March 9, 1811, on the banks of River Tacuarí, while Belgrano
Manuel Belgrano
Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano , usually referred to as Manuel Belgrano, was an Argentine economist, lawyer, politician, and military leader. He took part in the Argentine Wars of Independence and created the Flag of Argentina...
awaited reinforcements from 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...
, another battle was waged (the Battle of Tacuati). Belgrano called for capitulation, which was granted by the head of the Paraguayan Army.
The coup
On the night of May 14, under the command of Captain Pedro Juan Caballero, patriots from AsuncionAsunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
went to the quarters located by the square, after curfew, where the second lieutenant Mauricio Jose Troche was on duty, in charge of a contingent of 34 men from Curuguaty
Curuguaty
Curuguaty is a city in the Canindeyú Department of Paraguay, that was the 4th capital of Paraguay during the War against the Triple Alliance.-Toponimy:...
, and as a supporter of the revolution handed them the guard.
The quarters became the center of the revolution; political prisoners were released, weapons prepared, security measures taken and emissaries sent out of town to bring Fulgencio Yegros
Fulgencio Yegros
Fulgencio Yegros y Franco de Torres was Paraguayan soldier and first head of state of independent Paraguay.Yegros was born to a family of military tradition and also pursued a military career. He studied in Asunción and joined the army...
and Manuel Atanasio Cabañas to Asuncion.
The cathedral bells resonated and throughout the city ran the cry: ¡ tumult in the square! Several people close to Governor Bernardo de Velasco tried to get into the quarters, but without success.
At midnight, Vicente Ignacio Iturbe came to the residence of Governor Velasco, carrying a note whereby Pedro Juan Caballero and his subordinates stated their demands, which could be summarized as follows:
• "The delivery of the square, all weapons and the Cabildo’s keys."
• "The Governor Velasco continue in government, but associated with two representatives appointed by the officers at the quarters."
Ultimatum to the Governor Bernardo de Velasco
As Governor Bernardo de Velasco did not accept the conditions imposed by the revolutionaries, the troops came to the square and settled eight cannons in front of the house of government; Vicente Ignacio Iturbe was the bearer of a new ultimatum, setting a short deadline for response.The Governor Velasco was against any bloodshed, and came to the door to say:
"If this is because of authority, I deliver the command stick."
Upon Governor Velasco’s decision was known, the people felt great joy. A flag was raised and 21 cannonballs were fired.
The triumphant revolution
The congress meeting of June 17 appointed Caballero as member of the First Governing Board (Primera Junta Superior Gubernativa), composed of the following authorities: Fulgencio Yegros as President and Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de FranciaJosé Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia
200px|right|thumb|José Gaspar Rodríguez de FranciaDr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco was the first leader of Paraguay following its independence from Spain...
, Pedro Juan Caballero, Francisco Javier Bogarín
Francisco Xavier Bogarin
Among the priests that have an active participation in the process of independence of the Paraguay, Francisco Javier Bogarín is worth mentioning. He was born in Carapeguá, located in Paraguarí Department, 66 kilometers from Asunción, in 1763. He was the eldest of the members of the First Board.His...
, and Fernando de la Mora
Fernando de la Mora (politician)
Fernando de la Mora was one of the founding fathers of the Independence of Paraguay. He participated in the defense of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata against English Invasions between 1806 and 1807....
as members.
Moreover, the assembly of October 1813 appointed him as President, and although he was the favorite to be named Consul of Paraguay the position was finally granted to Dr. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia and Fulgencio Yegros.
He was, as well as Juan Gamarra, one of the most tenacious opponents to Dr. Francia, who put pressure on Yegros to achieve the removal of Caballero from political activities.
The Paraguayan State
In the early hours of May 15, 1811, the Paraguayan state was born, when Bernardo de Velasco handed over the power to Pedro Juan Caballero, who received it on behalf of the people. The group of patriots who prepared the revolutionary movement, upon receiving the news about the fact that Governor Velasco was aware of the conspiracy and expected help from the PortuguesePortuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
troops; decided to change the coup’s date, sooner than initially scheduled, following the advise of Francia, and not to wait for the arrival of the troops of Fulgencio Yegros.
The Treaty of October 12, 1811
On October 12, 1811, a treaty was signed, which established that 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...
recognized the independence of Paraguay and committed both provinces to mutual assistance in case of war.
The Board
Achievements under his AdministrationThe Board, which was formed by Fulgencio Yegros, Pedro Caballero and Juan Fernando de la Mora, started several economic and cultural reforms, such as:
- In January, 1812, the Military Academy was founded.
- 0The Mathematics professorship and the Patriotic Literary Society, an organization that he conducted since then, were introduced to public education.
- The Seminar was reopened and books were bought from Buenos Aires to start a Public Library.
- The old Real Colegio Seminario de San Carlos, took charge of teacher payment, meaning the beginning of free and mandatory education.
- Elementary schools were organized, the Board issued instructions for teachers, prohibiting corporal punishment.
- In the economic field, agriculture, commerce, navigation and the settlement of Chaco were promoted.
- From the juridical point of view: they ordered that all appeals were heard before the Board and not before the Court of Buenos Aires anymore, requesting this institution to forward all civil and criminal cases of Paraguay to the Board. The Triumvirate of Buenos Aires agreed to such demand.