Alfredo Baldomir
Encyclopedia
Alfredo Baldomir Ferrari (August 27, 1884 – February 25, 1948) was an Uruguay
an soldier, architect and politician. He served as President
of Uruguay from 1938 to 1943 and is most notable for leading Uruguay to support the Allies during World War II
.
. He joined the army in 1900 and studied architecture and engineering. He designed many famous buildings in Uruguay, eventually directed the army corps of engineers and worked as a professor.
By 1930, Baldomir was becoming involved in politics. He served as chief of police of Montevideo from 1931 to 1934 and as defense minister of Uruguay from 1935 to 1938, and was thus strongly identified with the rule of the then President of Uruguay
Gabriel Terra
.
in 1938 as a member of the long-ruling
Colorado Party
. He took office as President on June 19, 1938; Vice President of Uruguay
during his period of Presidential office was Alfredo Navarro
. Baldomir set a high priority in involving Uruguay in international affairs, and appointed the famous diplomat Alberto Guani
as foreign minister. As World War II broke out, Baldomir discouraged support for the Axis
within the country, and early in 1942, he broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. In 1942, Baldomir, now a general
in the army, expanded his powers through a military coup dissolving parliament and declaring an emergency. His term, which was soon to expire, was extended for a year.
In 1943, Baldomir voluntarily held elections and gave up power, but the continued dominance of the Colorados was insured.
Five years later died of an illness in Montevideo.
with the Allied cause in World War II
have lessened his reputation as a controversial historical figure. It may be noted that he was a leading supporter of the previous President of Uruguay
Gabriel Terra
, who ruled by decree.
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...
an soldier, architect and politician. He served as President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Uruguay from 1938 to 1943 and is most notable for leading Uruguay to support the Allies during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Background
Baldomir was 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...
. He joined the army in 1900 and studied architecture and engineering. He designed many famous buildings in Uruguay, eventually directed the army corps of engineers and worked as a professor.
By 1930, Baldomir was becoming involved in politics. He served as chief of police of Montevideo from 1931 to 1934 and as defense minister of Uruguay from 1935 to 1938, and was thus strongly identified with the rule of the then President of Uruguay
President 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...
Gabriel Terra
Gabriel Terra
Dr. Gabriel Terra Leivas was the President of Uruguay from 1931 to 1938.- Background :Born in Montevideo to a wealthy family, he graduated from the University of Uruguay in 1895, and subsequently joined the faculty....
.
President of Uruguay
He was elected 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...
in 1938 as a member of the long-ruling
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....
. He took office as President on June 19, 1938; Vice President of Uruguay
Vice President of Uruguay
-List of Vice Presidents of Uruguay:Parties: Colorado Party, National Party, Frente Amplio-History of the office:The office of Vice President of Uruguay dates from 1934 ....
during his period of Presidential office was Alfredo Navarro
Alfredo Navarro
Alfredo Navarro was a Uruguayan political figure.-Background:Navarro was a prominent member of the Colorado party in the 1930s.He was a noted medical doctor .-Vice President of Uruguay:...
. Baldomir set a high priority in involving Uruguay in international affairs, and appointed the famous diplomat Alberto Guani
Alberto Guani
Alberto Guani was an Uruguayan jurist, diplomat and the Vice President from 1943 to 1947.Alberto Guani was born in Montevideo in 1877...
as foreign minister. As World War II broke out, Baldomir discouraged support for the Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
within the country, and early in 1942, he broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. In 1942, Baldomir, now a general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in the army, expanded his powers through a military coup dissolving parliament and declaring an emergency. His term, which was soon to expire, was extended for a year.
In 1943, Baldomir voluntarily held elections and gave up power, but the continued dominance of the Colorados was insured.
Retirement and death
Baldomir retired from office on March 1, 1943.Five years later died of an illness in Montevideo.
Legacy
Baldomir's actions to identity UruguayUruguay
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...
with the Allied cause in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
have lessened his reputation as a controversial historical figure. It may be noted that he was a leading supporter of the previous President of Uruguay
President 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...
Gabriel Terra
Gabriel Terra
Dr. Gabriel Terra Leivas was the President of Uruguay from 1931 to 1938.- Background :Born in Montevideo to a wealthy family, he graduated from the University of Uruguay in 1895, and subsequently joined the faculty....
, who ruled by decree.
See also
- Politics of UruguayPolitics of UruguayThe Politics of Uruguay abide by a presidential representative democratic republic, under which the President of Uruguay is both the head of state and the head of government, as well as a multiform party system. The president exercises executive power and Legislative power is vested in the two...