Difference between revisions of "Bernardo O'Higgins" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme''' ( | + | [[image=Ohiggins.jpg|Bernardo O'Higgins.]] |
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| + | '''Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme''' (August 20, 1778 – October 24, 1842), [[South America]]n independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with [[José de San Martín]] – of the military forces that freed [[Chile]] from [[Spain|Spanish]] rule in the [[Chilean War of Independence]]. he is known as the "liberator of Chile." Other men had held the title of Supreme Director of Chile but O'Higgins was the first who headed a fully independent Chilean state. His father had served as Governor of Chile and as Viceroy of [[Peru]]. Bernardo attended school in [[London]], [[England]]. Returning to Chile, he joined the independence movement in 1810. After an initial defeat in 1814, he achieved victory at the [[Battle of Chacabuco]] in 1817 and was soon leader of the new nation of Chile. He was granted dictatorial powers with the title Supreme Director on February 16, 1817. He remained in office until 1823, when conservatives resisting his policies of democratization ousted him from power. Despite his wide-ranging powers, he was a convinced [[democracy]]. He abolished [[nobility|noble]] ranks and he sent force to assist [[Peru]]'s [[freedom]] struggle. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| − | O'Higgins was born in [[Chile]], As noted in his certificate of [[baptism]], he was the illegitimate son of [[Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of Osorno]], a Spanish officer born in [[County Sligo]] in [[Ireland]], who became governor of Chile and later | + | O'Higgins was born in [[Chile]], As noted in his certificate of [[baptism]], he was the illegitimate son of [[Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of Osorno]], a Spanish officer born in [[County Sligo]] in [[Ireland]], who became governor of Chile and later viceroy of Peru. His mother was [[Isabel Riquelme|Isabel Riquelme y Meza]], a prominent lady of a noble family in [[Chillán]]. O'Higgins spent his early years with his mother's family in Central-south Chile. He had a distant relationship with his father, who supported him financially and was concerned with his education, but the two never met in person. Spanish government officials in [[The Americas|America]] were forbidden to marry locals.<ref>Crow, page 166. Here he discusses that Viceroys and their subordinates could not contract marriage.</ref> |
| − | [[Image:Clarence House, Richmond, Surrey.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Clarence House, [[Richmond, London|Richmond]], Surrey.]]As Ambrose O'Higgins became [[Viceroyalty of Peru|Viceroy of Peru]], at fifteen Bernardo was sent to a Catholic school in | + | [[Image:Clarence House, Richmond, Surrey.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Clarence House, [[Richmond, London|Richmond]], Surrey.]]As Ambrose O'Higgins became [[Viceroyalty of Peru|Viceroy of Peru]], at fifteen Bernardo was sent to a Catholic school in London to complete his studies. There, Bernardo became acquainted with American ideas about independence: he knew [[Venezuela]]n [[Francisco de Miranda]] and joined the Masonic [[Logia Lautaro]]. He then lived in Spain for some time. He inherited his father's estates in 1801 and became a gentleman farmer. |
==Role in the Chilean Independence and Government== | ==Role in the Chilean Independence and Government== | ||
| − | In 1810, he joined the nationalist rebels fighting for independence from [[Spain]]. In 1814, | + | In 1810, he joined the nationalist rebels fighting for independence from [[Spain]]. The leaders declared independence on September 10, 1810, establishing a National Council. [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] had placed his brother on the Spanish throne and the colonialists did not recognize this regime. Initially, their aim was to establish a provisional government until the Spanish throne was restored to the deposed [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]]. O'Higgins, elected as a deputy to the Congress, was among those who wanted full-blown independence. By 1811, a draft constitution was published. Royalists vied with republicans until [[José Miguel Carrera]] assumed dictatorial powers in 1813, with O'Higgins as a member of his cabinet. Realizing that a militia was needed, O'Higgins formed two brigades consisting of workers from his own estates. After receiving instruction in military tactics, he assumed the rank of Colonel. His brigades clashed with royalist in 1313, after which he was named commander-in-chief of the republican army. |
| + | |||
| + | In 1814, O'Higgins Chilean rebels were defeated by the Spanish, who outnumbered them, after a thirty-six hour engagement. He then led his troops in retreat into the [[Andes]]. For the next three years, he practiced, trained and drilled his troops until 1817, when,offensive with the aid of [[Argentina|Agentine]] General [[José de San Martín]] he went back onto the offensive. On February 12, 1817, he led a [[cavalry]] charge over the Andes that won the Battle of Chacabuco. This has been compared with [[Hannibal]]'s crossing of the Alps although the mountains were actually "higher, | ||
| + | steeper, were more treacherous than the route taken by Hannibal."<ref>Nelson, page 289.</ref> Santiago was captured. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Supreme Director=== | ||
| + | Having won the war, O'Higgins was offered and accepted dictatorial powers as Supreme Director on February 16, 1817. On February 12, 1818, Chile was proclaimed an independent republic. | ||
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| + | His six-year rule saw the founding of the Military Academy and the approval of the new (and current) [[Flag of Chile|Chilean flag]]. However, his more radical and [[liberal]] [[reform]]s, (such as the establishment of [[democracy]] and abolition of [[nobility]] [[title]]s) were resisted by the powerful [[Conservatism|conservative]] [[landowner|large-land owners]]. O'Higgins wanted to create a "more homogeneous society, but not one without social classes." He set out to "eliminate some exclusive, aristocratic institutions while raising the [[culture|cultural]] level of the common people." To spread learning and culture, he established "National Library", encouraged printing and supported an [[education]] system "based on an English model."<ref>Rector, page 68.</ref> He also built hospitals, schools, colleges and courts. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He founded the cities of [[La Unión, Chile|La Unión]] and [[Vicuña, Chile|Vicuña]]. From his later [[exile]] in [[Peru]], he promoted the Chilean expansion southward, concluding in the foundation of [[Punta Arenas]] in 1845. Also, his government was involved in the killing of enemy independence leaders [[José Miguel Carrera]], his brothers [[Juan José Carrera|Juan José]] and [[LuisCarrera|Luis]] in [[Argentina]], and Carreras' friend and guerrilla leader [[Manuel Rodriguez|Manuel Rodríguez]]. During his government, he also assisted [[Jose de San Martin|José de San Martín]] to organize the Expedition and an Army and Navy to support the Independence of Peru. He also organized the [[Chilean Army]] and the first [[Chilean Navy]], under the command of [[Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald|Lord Cochrane]] and [[Manuel Blanco Encalada]]. | ||
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| + | His desire to involve the non-elite in governance, however, alienated the aristocrats. Relying on his command of the army, he sometimes forced changes through which lacked popular support. In 1823, having had to relinquish command of the army, he was forced to abdicate by a conservative coup on January 28, 1823.<ref>Rector, page 69.</ref> Technically, the state was a representative democracy but due to property owning rules, very few people could actually vote. Consequently, the elite dominated the Congress and once in power could rule as autocratically as they wished.< | ||
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| − | == | + | ==Legacy== |
| − | [[Image:O'Higgins blue plaque.jpg|thumb|125px|right|O'Higgins' blue plaque in London.]]After his [[deposition (politics)|deposition]], O'Higgins spent the rest of his life in exile, and died in [[Lima, Peru|Lima]], [[Peru]] in 1842. | + | [[Image:O'Higgins blue plaque.jpg|thumb|125px|right|O'Higgins' blue plaque in London.]]After his [[deposition (politics)|deposition]], O'Higgins spent the rest of his life in exile, and died in [[Lima, Peru|Lima]], [[Peru]] in 1842. |
| − | After his death, his remains were repatriated to Chile in 1869; moved in 1979 from the Military School to a place of honor in the Altar de la Patria's [[mausoleum]] in front of the [[Palacio de La Moneda]] government palace; and then back again temporarily to the Military School, in 2004, for a year, during transformation of the ''Altar de la Patria'' into the new [[Plaza de la Ciudadanía]] (Citizens' Square). The Chilean village of [[Villa O'Higgins]] was named in his honor. | + | After his death, his remains were repatriated to Chile in 1869; moved in 1979 from the Military School to a place of honor in the Altar de la Patria's [[mausoleum]] in front of the [[Palacio de La Moneda]] government palace; and then back again temporarily to the Military School, in 2004, for a year, during transformation of the ''Altar de la Patria'' into the new [[Plaza de la Ciudadanía]] (Citizens' Square). The Chilean village of [[Villa O'Higgins]] was named in his honor. The main thoroughfare of the Chilean [[capital]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]], is [[Alameda_del_Libertador_Bernardo_O'Higgins|Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins]]. |
| − | There is a statue of O'Higgins in [[Richmond, London|Richmond]], in south-west London in a square named after him, O'Higgins Square. | + | There is a statue of O'Higgins in [[Richmond, London|Richmond]], in south-west London in a square named after him, O'Higgins Square. A [[blue plaque]] was erected in his honor at Clarence House in Richmond, where he lived while studying in London. There is also a plaque in his honor in [[Merrion Square]] in [[Dublin]] and in the [[Garavogue River]] Walkway in [[Sligo]], [[Ireland]], and a sculpture at Central Railway Station on Elizabeth St in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. |
A plaque has also been erected in [[Cadiz]], Spain, in the Plaza de Candalaria, where he resided for four years. | A plaque has also been erected in [[Cadiz]], Spain, in the Plaza de Candalaria, where he resided for four years. | ||
| − | + | Rector describes him as "scrupulously honest and well-intentioned" but he "falsely assumed" that he could govern without the support of aristocrats."<ref>Rector, page 69.</ref> | |
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| − | === | + | ===Notes=== |
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | * Clissold, Stephen. 1969. ''Bernardo O'Higgins and the independence of Chile.'' New York: Praeger. | ||
| + | * Crow, John Armstrong. 1992. The epic of Latin America. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520041073 | ||
| + | * Kinsbruner, Jay. 1968. ''Bernardo O'Higgins.'' New York: Twayne Publishers. | ||
| + | * Rector, John Lawrence. 2003. ''The history of Chile. The Greenwood histories of the modern nations.'' Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313317590 | ||
===External links=== | ===External links=== | ||
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Revision as of 00:39, 19 November 2008
Bernardo O'Higgins.
Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 – October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with José de San Martín – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. he is known as the "liberator of Chile." Other men had held the title of Supreme Director of Chile but O'Higgins was the first who headed a fully independent Chilean state. His father had served as Governor of Chile and as Viceroy of Peru. Bernardo attended school in London, England. Returning to Chile, he joined the independence movement in 1810. After an initial defeat in 1814, he achieved victory at the Battle of Chacabuco in 1817 and was soon leader of the new nation of Chile. He was granted dictatorial powers with the title Supreme Director on February 16, 1817. He remained in office until 1823, when conservatives resisting his policies of democratization ousted him from power. Despite his wide-ranging powers, he was a convinced democracy. He abolished noble ranks and he sent force to assist Peru's freedom struggle.
Early life
O'Higgins was born in Chile, As noted in his certificate of baptism, he was the illegitimate son of Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of Osorno, a Spanish officer born in County Sligo in Ireland, who became governor of Chile and later viceroy of Peru. His mother was Isabel Riquelme y Meza, a prominent lady of a noble family in Chillán. O'Higgins spent his early years with his mother's family in Central-south Chile. He had a distant relationship with his father, who supported him financially and was concerned with his education, but the two never met in person. Spanish government officials in America were forbidden to marry locals.[1]
As Ambrose O'Higgins became Viceroy of Peru, at fifteen Bernardo was sent to a Catholic school in London to complete his studies. There, Bernardo became acquainted with American ideas about independence: he knew Venezuelan Francisco de Miranda and joined the Masonic Logia Lautaro. He then lived in Spain for some time. He inherited his father's estates in 1801 and became a gentleman farmer.
Role in the Chilean Independence and Government
In 1810, he joined the nationalist rebels fighting for independence from Spain. The leaders declared independence on September 10, 1810, establishing a National Council. Napoleon Bonaparte had placed his brother on the Spanish throne and the colonialists did not recognize this regime. Initially, their aim was to establish a provisional government until the Spanish throne was restored to the deposed Ferdinand VII. O'Higgins, elected as a deputy to the Congress, was among those who wanted full-blown independence. By 1811, a draft constitution was published. Royalists vied with republicans until José Miguel Carrera assumed dictatorial powers in 1813, with O'Higgins as a member of his cabinet. Realizing that a militia was needed, O'Higgins formed two brigades consisting of workers from his own estates. After receiving instruction in military tactics, he assumed the rank of Colonel. His brigades clashed with royalist in 1313, after which he was named commander-in-chief of the republican army.
In 1814, O'Higgins Chilean rebels were defeated by the Spanish, who outnumbered them, after a thirty-six hour engagement. He then led his troops in retreat into the Andes. For the next three years, he practiced, trained and drilled his troops until 1817, when,offensive with the aid of Agentine General José de San Martín he went back onto the offensive. On February 12, 1817, he led a cavalry charge over the Andes that won the Battle of Chacabuco. This has been compared with Hannibal's crossing of the Alps although the mountains were actually "higher, steeper, were more treacherous than the route taken by Hannibal."[2] Santiago was captured.
Supreme Director
Having won the war, O'Higgins was offered and accepted dictatorial powers as Supreme Director on February 16, 1817. On February 12, 1818, Chile was proclaimed an independent republic.
His six-year rule saw the founding of the Military Academy and the approval of the new (and current) Chilean flag. However, his more radical and liberal reforms, (such as the establishment of democracy and abolition of nobility titles) were resisted by the powerful conservative large-land owners. O'Higgins wanted to create a "more homogeneous society, but not one without social classes." He set out to "eliminate some exclusive, aristocratic institutions while raising the cultural level of the common people." To spread learning and culture, he established "National Library", encouraged printing and supported an education system "based on an English model."[3] He also built hospitals, schools, colleges and courts.
He founded the cities of La Unión and Vicuña. From his later exile in Peru, he promoted the Chilean expansion southward, concluding in the foundation of Punta Arenas in 1845. Also, his government was involved in the killing of enemy independence leaders José Miguel Carrera, his brothers Juan José and Luis in Argentina, and Carreras' friend and guerrilla leader Manuel Rodríguez. During his government, he also assisted José de San Martín to organize the Expedition and an Army and Navy to support the Independence of Peru. He also organized the Chilean Army and the first Chilean Navy, under the command of Lord Cochrane and Manuel Blanco Encalada.
His desire to involve the non-elite in governance, however, alienated the aristocrats. Relying on his command of the army, he sometimes forced changes through which lacked popular support. In 1823, having had to relinquish command of the army, he was forced to abdicate by a conservative coup on January 28, 1823.[4] Technically, the state was a representative democracy but due to property owning rules, very few people could actually vote. Consequently, the elite dominated the Congress and once in power could rule as autocratically as they wished.<
Legacy
After his deposition, O'Higgins spent the rest of his life in exile, and died in Lima, Peru in 1842.
After his death, his remains were repatriated to Chile in 1869; moved in 1979 from the Military School to a place of honor in the Altar de la Patria's mausoleum in front of the Palacio de La Moneda government palace; and then back again temporarily to the Military School, in 2004, for a year, during transformation of the Altar de la Patria into the new Plaza de la Ciudadanía (Citizens' Square). The Chilean village of Villa O'Higgins was named in his honor. The main thoroughfare of the Chilean capital, Santiago, is Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins.
There is a statue of O'Higgins in Richmond, in south-west London in a square named after him, O'Higgins Square. A blue plaque was erected in his honor at Clarence House in Richmond, where he lived while studying in London. There is also a plaque in his honor in Merrion Square in Dublin and in the Garavogue River Walkway in Sligo, Ireland, and a sculpture at Central Railway Station on Elizabeth St in Sydney, Australia.
A plaque has also been erected in Cadiz, Spain, in the Plaza de Candalaria, where he resided for four years.
Rector describes him as "scrupulously honest and well-intentioned" but he "falsely assumed" that he could govern without the support of aristocrats."[5]
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Clissold, Stephen. 1969. Bernardo O'Higgins and the independence of Chile. New York: Praeger.
- Crow, John Armstrong. 1992. The epic of Latin America. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520041073
- Kinsbruner, Jay. 1968. Bernardo O'Higgins. New York: Twayne Publishers.
- Rector, John Lawrence. 2003. The history of Chile. The Greenwood histories of the modern nations. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313317590
External links
- Web Blog of Respetable Lodge Bernardo O'Higgins # 392 - Of Free and Acepted Masones of the Argentina, Argentine Freemasonery
- Sepúlveda, Alfredo: Bernardo O'Higgins: The Rebel Son of a Viceroy
- Bernardo O'Higgins website
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: None |
Member of Government Junta 1811 |
Succeeded by: None |
| Preceded by: José Miguel Carrera |
Supreme Director of Chile 1817 - 1823 |
Succeeded by: Ramón Freire |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by: José de San Martín |
Army Commander-in-chief 1819-1823 |
Succeeded by: Ramón Freire |
| Preceded by: José Miguel Carrera |
Army Commander-in-chief 1813-1814 |
Succeeded by: José Miguel Carrera |
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