Agustín Gamarra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Agustín Gamarra
10th and 14th President of Peru
In office August 25, 1838 – November 18, 1841
Preceded by	Andrés de Santa Cruz
Succeeded by	Manuel Menéndez
In office September 1, 1829 – December 20, 1833
Vice President	Antonio Gutiérrez de la Fuente
Preceded by	Antonio Gutiérrez de la Fuente
Succeeded by	Francisco Xavier de Luna Pizarro
Personal details
Born	August 27, 1785 Cuzco, Peru
Died	November 18, 1841 (aged 56) Ingavi, Bolivia
Spouse	Francisca Zubiaga y Bernales
Profession	Soldier

Agustín Gamarra Messia (born August 27, 1785 – died November 18, 1841) was an important Peruvian soldier and politician. He served as the President of Peru two times.

Agustín Gamarra was of mixed Spanish and Quechua heritage. He started his military career when he was young. He fought against the royalist forces who ruled Peru. Later, he joined the fight for Peru's independence. He worked alongside Andrés de Santa Cruz. He was part of the famous Battle of Ayacucho, which helped Peru become free. After this, he became a high-ranking leader.

In 1825, he married Francisca Zubiaga y Bernales. She was also a strong and famous woman. After Peru invaded Bolivia in 1828, Gamarra was given the title of mariscal (marshal). This is a very high military rank.

After a leader named José de la Mar was defeated, Gamarra helped remove him from power. Gamarra then became president for a short time. During his first period as president, a peace treaty was signed with Gran Colombia.

Agustín Gamarra's Time as President

First Presidency: Leading Peru

Agustín Gamarra's first time as president was different from the previous leader, José de la Mar. Gamarra did not agree with the Constitution of 1828. He thought it limited the president's power too much. So, he put it aside.

Gamarra worked very hard during his first term. He was a very active leader. He often left the capital city of Lima to stop rebellions in different parts of the country. When he was away, Antonio Gutiérrez de la Fuente would take over as president. Gutiérrez de la Fuente was known for being very strict. This made some government officials in Lima dislike him.

Peru and Bolivia: A United Nation?

Gamarra had a big idea that he really wanted to happen. He wanted to join Bolivia with Peru. He shared this idea with Andrés de Santa Cruz. However, Santa Cruz wanted to create a new country that included both Peru and Bolivia. Gamarra, though, wanted Bolivia to become part of Peru. He believed they should be one single Peruvian nation.

Second Presidency and War with Bolivia

In 1835, Orbegoso and Andrés Santa Cruz created the Peru-Bolivian Confederacy. Gamarra strongly disagreed with this. He joined forces with Chile to fight against it. This led to the Battle of Yungay, where Santa Cruz was defeated. After this, the Peruvian congress officially named Gamarra as president again.

During his second time as president, Gamarra faced many challenges. He had to calm the country because there were many smaller rebellions. At the same time, a war started against Bolivia. Sadly, Gamarra was defeated and killed by Bolivian forces during the Battle of Ingavi in 1841.

See also

In Spanish: Agustín Gamarra para niños