Carlos Antonio López (politician)
Encyclopedia
Carlos Antonio López Ynsfrán (November 4, 1792 – September 10, 1862) was a Paraguay
an political figure. He was the country's ruler from 1841 to 1862.
López was born at Manorá (Asunción)
on November 4, 1792, and was educated in the ecclesiastical seminary of that city. He attracted the hostility of the dictator
and uncle, José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia
, and he was forced to keep in hiding for several years. He acquired, however, so unusual a knowledge of law and governmental affairs that, on Francia's death in 1840, he succeeded Francia as the country's leader.
He was briefly secretary of the military junta
that ruled the country in the interval after Francia's death from 1840-1841. In 1841, he was chosen as the country's first consul, ruling alongside Mariano Roque Alonso
. In 1844, he exiled Roque and assumed dictatorial powers. On March 13, 1844; Congress approved the first Paraguayan Constitution--probably the work of Lopez himself. A few months later, Congress elected him president
for a 10-year term. The constitution not only legally sanctioned López' dictatorial powers, but included no guarantees of civil rights; indeed, the word "liberty" was not even mentioned in the text. He was reelected for a three-year term in 1854, and then reelected by successive elections for ten and three years, and in 1857 again for ten years, with power to nominate his own successor.
His government was in general directed with wise energy towards developing the material resources and strengthening the military power of the country. His jealousy of foreign approach several times involved him in diplomatic
disputes with Brazil
, Britain
, and the United States
, which nearly resulted in war
, but each time he extricated himself by skillful evasions. Despite the lack of any civil rights, he was somewhat more tolerant of opposition than Francia had been. He released all political prisoners soon after taking full power, and also formally abolished slavery and torture
His official eldest son (not really his), Francisco Solano López (1826-1870), succeeded him as president after his death.
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...
an political figure. He was the country's ruler from 1841 to 1862.
López was born at Manorá (Asunción)
Manorá (Asunción)
Manorá is a barrio of Asunción, the capital of Paraguay. Its limits are the neighbourhoods of San Jorge, Ycuá Satí, Villa Morra, Santo Domingo, Las Lomas and Madame Lynch. It has a population of 1,898 people...
on November 4, 1792, and was educated in the ecclesiastical seminary of that city. He attracted the hostility of the dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
and uncle, 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...
, and he was forced to keep in hiding for several years. He acquired, however, so unusual a knowledge of law and governmental affairs that, on Francia's death in 1840, he succeeded Francia as the country's leader.
He was briefly secretary of the military junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
that ruled the country in the interval after Francia's death from 1840-1841. In 1841, he was chosen as the country's first consul, ruling alongside Mariano Roque Alonso
Mariano Roque Alonso
Mariano Roque Alonso is a district and city located in the Central Department, in Paraguay in the Gran Asunción metropolitan area. The city has a population of 85,000 people....
. In 1844, he exiled Roque and assumed dictatorial powers. On March 13, 1844; Congress approved the first Paraguayan Constitution--probably the work of Lopez himself. A few months later, Congress elected him 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...
for a 10-year term. The constitution not only legally sanctioned López' dictatorial powers, but included no guarantees of civil rights; indeed, the word "liberty" was not even mentioned in the text. He was reelected for a three-year term in 1854, and then reelected by successive elections for ten and three years, and in 1857 again for ten years, with power to nominate his own successor.
His government was in general directed with wise energy towards developing the material resources and strengthening the military power of the country. His jealousy of foreign approach several times involved him in diplomatic
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
disputes with Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which nearly resulted in war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, but each time he extricated himself by skillful evasions. Despite the lack of any civil rights, he was somewhat more tolerant of opposition than Francia had been. He released all political prisoners soon after taking full power, and also formally abolished slavery and torture
His official eldest son (not really his), Francisco Solano López (1826-1870), succeeded him as president after his death.