Guadalupe Victoria
Guadalupe Victoria (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡwaðaˈlupe βikˈtoɾja]; 29 September 1786 – 21 March 1843),[1][2] born José Miguel Ramón Adaucto Fernández y Félix,[3] was a Mexican general and politician who fought for independence against the Spanish Empire in the Mexican War of Independence and after the adoption of the Constitution of 1824, was elected as the first president of the United Mexican States.[4] He was a deputy in the Mexican Chamber of Deputies for Durango and a member of the Supreme Executive Power following the downfall of the First Mexican Empire, which was followed by the 1824 Constitution and his presidency. He later served as Governor of Puebla.
This article is about the 1st president of Mexico. For other uses, see Guadalupe Victoria (disambiguation).
Guadalupe Victoria
Nicolás Bravo (1824-1827), vacant (1827-1829)[a]
Office established, Provisional Government (as governing body of Mexico)
Agustin de Iturbide (as Emperor of Mexico)
Patricio Furlong
Cosme Furlong
29 September 1786
Tamazula, Nueva Vizcaya, Viceroyalty of New Spain
(now Durango, Mexico)
21 March 1843 (aged 56)
San Carlos Fortress, Perote, Veracruz, Mexico
Mexican
New Spain (prior to 1821)
Francisco Victoria (brother)
Lawyer
Soldier (General)
Born in Nueva Vizcaya, New Spain (now Durango), he graduated from the College of San Ildefonso with a Bachelor of Laws degree. He joined the Mexican War of Independence under general José María Morelos. During the war, he became one of the most prominent independence generals, participating in numerous battles, including the siege of Cuautla, the capture of Oaxaca, and many battles in Veracruz. In 1817, his troops deserted him, and he stayed in hiding until 1821, when the independence movement was reinvigorated by generals Vicente Guerrero and Agustín de Iturbide, and he helped re-capture Veracruz.
Victoria remained an important and popular figure in the army during the First Mexican Empire, after the Declaration of Independence, wherein de Iturbide served as Emperor Agustín. The two were at odds due to de Iturbide's suspension of congress and his refusal to install a republican form of government. Victoria joined Antonio López de Santa Anna's revolt, and de Iturbide was exiled in 1823. Victoria then served as part of the Provisional Government from 1823 to 1824, when congress ratified the Constitution of 1824, and elected Victoria as Mexico's first president.
As president he established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom,[5] the United States, the Federal Republic of Central America, and Gran Colombia.[6] He also founded the National Museum,[7] promoted education,[3] and ratified the border with the United States of America.[8] He decreed the expulsion of the Spaniards remaining in the country[9] and defeated the last Spanish stronghold in the castle of San Juan de Ulúa.
In 1829, Victoria peacefully passed the presidency to general Vicente Guerrero. Victoria was the only president to complete his full term in more than 30 years of an independent Mexico.[10] He later served as a senator for Durango and Veracruz, governor of Puebla, and president of the senate. He negotiated an end to the Pastry War with France in 1838. He died in 1843 at the age of 56 from epilepsy in the fortress of Perote, where he was receiving medical treatment. On 8 April of the same year, it was decreed that his name would be written in golden letters in the session hall of the Chamber of Deputies.[10]
Victoria is considered a national hero and one of the most popular presidents in the history of early Mexico. There are numerous streets, airports, schools, and cities (most notably Victoria de Durango and Ciudad Victoria) named in his honor.