Alejandro Mon y Menéndez
Encyclopedia
Alejandro Mon y Menéndez (Oviedo
, Principality of Asturias, Spain
, 26 February 1801 – 1 November 1882) was a Spanish politician and jurist who served as Prime Minister of Spain
in 1864, during the reign of Queen Isabella II
.
, being the eldest son of Miguel Mon y Miranda and Francisca Menéndez y de la Torre. His only sister, Manuela, was married to the Asturian
Pedro José Pidal, 1st Marquis of Pidal, also a prominent politician who served several times as Prime Minister.
He studied Law in the University of Oviedo
, where he became interested in politics and approached the Moderate Party
.
(1833–1840), Mon was appointed for his first high political office, being Minister of Finance from 1837 to 1838, in a moderate cabinet headed by Narciso Fernández de Heredia, 2nd Count of Heredia-Spínola
. During the regency of the progressivist
Baldomero Espartero
(1840–1843), he wasn't part of any of the cabinets, but kept active in political life.
When the moderates came back to power in 1844, starting a period known as the Moderate Decade
, Mon was called by the new Prime Minister Ramón María Narváez, 1st Duke of Valencia, again as Minister of Finance. He held this post from 1844 to 1845, and carried out the Tax reform of 1845
, which established the basis of the current tax system of Spain. This reform was executed in collaboration with Ramón de Santillán
, and it s popularly known as the Mon-Santillán reform.
After the downfall of the moderates, the unionist
Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan
offered him several ministerial portfolios that he always declined. Mon preferred to be in posts away from the first line of political life, such as Ambassador to the Holy See
or to France
. However, he returned to active politics in 1864, when he replaced Lorenzo Arrazola y García as Prime Minister, although his cabinet only lasted 9 months because of the social and political instability (5 years later the Spanish Glorious Revolution
took place).
, the First Spanish Republic
and finally restoration
of King Alfonso XII, which he supported as personal friend of Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
. Howbeit, he wasn't active politically during the Restoration and only kept the honorary post of life senator
. He retired to his hometown, Oviedo, where he died in 1882.
Oviedo
Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
, Principality of Asturias, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, 26 February 1801 – 1 November 1882) was a Spanish politician and jurist who served as Prime Minister of Spain
Prime Minister of Spain
The President of the Government of Spain , sometimes known in English as the Prime Minister of Spain, is the head of Government of Spain. The current office is established under the Constitution of 1978...
in 1864, during the reign of Queen Isabella II
Isabella II of Spain
Isabella II was the only female monarch of Spain in modern times. She came to the throne as an infant, but her succession was disputed by the Carlists, who refused to recognise a female sovereign, leading to the Carlist Wars. After a troubled reign, she was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of...
.
Early life
Mon was born in OviedoOviedo
Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
, being the eldest son of Miguel Mon y Miranda and Francisca Menéndez y de la Torre. His only sister, Manuela, was married to the Asturian
Asturian people
The Asturians are one of the nationalisms of Spain, issuing from the historical country of the Principality of Asturias. They have Celtiberian heritage, related to its historical and cultural links with neighbouring Galicia, as well as Visigothic cultural influences most notably found in the...
Pedro José Pidal, 1st Marquis of Pidal, also a prominent politician who served several times as Prime Minister.
He studied Law in the University of Oviedo
University of Oviedo
The University of Oviedo is a public university in Asturias . It's the only university in the region. It has three campus and research centres, located in Oviedo, Gijón and Mieres.-History:...
, where he became interested in politics and approached the Moderate Party
Moderate Party (Spain)
The Moderate Party or Moderate Liberal Party was one of the two Spanish political parties that contended for power during the reign of Isabel II...
.
Political career
In the regency of Queen Maria Christina of the Two SiciliesMaria Christina of the Two Sicilies
Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies was Queen consort of Spain and Regent of Spain .-Early years and first marriage:...
(1833–1840), Mon was appointed for his first high political office, being Minister of Finance from 1837 to 1838, in a moderate cabinet headed by Narciso Fernández de Heredia, 2nd Count of Heredia-Spínola
Narciso Fernández de Heredia, 2nd Count of Heredia-Spínola
Don Narciso Fernández de Heredia y Begines de los Ríos, 2nd Count of Heredia-Spínola Grandee of Spain, 1st Marquis of Heredia, Grandee of Spain and iure uxoris Count of Ofalia was a Spanish noble, politician and diplomat who served as Prime Minister of Spain and as Minister of State between 1837...
. During the regency of the progressivist
Progressive Party (Spain)
The Progressive Party was one of the two Spanish political parties that contended for power during the reign of Isabel II . They were to the left of the opposing Moderate Party , but also characterized themselves as liberal...
Baldomero Espartero
Baldomero Espartero, Prince of Vergara
Don Joaquín Baldomero Fernández-Espartero y Alvarez de Toro, 1st Prince of Vergara, 1st Duke of la Victoria, 1st Duke of Morella, 1st Count of Luchana, 1st Viscount of Banderas was a Spanish general and political figure...
(1840–1843), he wasn't part of any of the cabinets, but kept active in political life.
When the moderates came back to power in 1844, starting a period known as the Moderate Decade
Década moderada
In the history of Spain, the década moderada was the period from May 1844 to July 1854, during which the Moderate Party continuously held power.-Rise to power:...
, Mon was called by the new Prime Minister Ramón María Narváez, 1st Duke of Valencia, again as Minister of Finance. He held this post from 1844 to 1845, and carried out the Tax reform of 1845
Spanish tax reform of 1845
The Spanish tax reform of 1845 made major changes to the tax system of Spain, and established the basis for a system that continues to this day.- Context :...
, which established the basis of the current tax system of Spain. This reform was executed in collaboration with Ramón de Santillán
Ramón de Santillán
Ramón de Santillán González was a Spanish soldier, politician, and Minister of Finance.-Life:Santillán was born in Lerma . He came from a relatively poor family. He matriculated in law at the University of Valladolid in 1805; his studies were interrupted by the Peninsular War...
, and it s popularly known as the Mon-Santillán reform.
After the downfall of the moderates, the unionist
Liberal Union (Spain)
The Liberal Union was a political party in Spain in the third quarter of the 19th century. It was founded by Leopoldo O'Donnell in 1858 with the intent of forging a compromise and taking a centrist position between the two forces that had hitherto dominated Spanish politics during the reign of...
Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan
Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan
Don Leopoldo O'Donnell y Jorris, 1st Duke of Tetuan, 1st Count of Lucena, 1st Viscount of Aliaga, Grandee of Spain, , was a Spanish general and statesman...
offered him several ministerial portfolios that he always declined. Mon preferred to be in posts away from the first line of political life, such as Ambassador to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
or to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. However, he returned to active politics in 1864, when he replaced Lorenzo Arrazola y García as Prime Minister, although his cabinet only lasted 9 months because of the social and political instability (5 years later the Spanish Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution (Spain)
The Glorious Revolution took place in Spain in 1868, resulting in the deposition of Queen Isabella II.An 1866 rebellion led by General Juan Prim and a revolt of the sergeants at San Gil barracks, in Madrid, sent a signal to Spanish liberals and republicans that there was serious unrest with the...
took place).
Retire
Mon lived long enough to see the reign of Amadeo I of SpainAmadeo I of Spain
Amadeo I was the only King of Spain from the House of Savoy...
, the First Spanish Republic
First Spanish Republic
The First Spanish Republic was the political regime that existed in Spain between the parliamentary proclamation on 11 February 1873 and 29 December 1874 when General Arsenio Martínez-Campos's pronunciamento marked the beginning of the Bourbon Restoration in Spain...
and finally restoration
Spain under the Restoration
The Restoration was the name given to the period that began on December 29, 1874 after the First Spanish Republic ended with the restoration of Alfonso XII to the throne after a coup d'état by Martinez Campos, and ended on April 14, 1931 with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.After...
of King Alfonso XII, which he supported as personal friend of Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo was a Spanish politician and historian known principally for his role in supporting the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy to the Spanish throne and for his death at the hands of an anarchist assassin, Michele Angiolillo.-Early career:Born in Málaga as the son of...
. Howbeit, he wasn't active politically during the Restoration and only kept the honorary post of life senator
Spanish Senate
The Senate of Spain is the upper house of Spain's parliament, the . It is made up of 264 members: 208 elected by popular vote, and 56 appointed by the regional legislatures. All senators serve four-year terms, though regional legislatures may recall their appointees at any time.The last election...
. He retired to his hometown, Oviedo, where he died in 1882.