Alejandro Mon y Menéndez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Most Excellent Alejandro Mon
Prime Minister of Spain
In office 1 March 1864 – 16 September 1864
Monarch	Isabella II
Preceded by	Lorenzo Arrazola
Succeeded by	Ramon Maria Narvaez
Personal details
Born	Alejandro Mon y Menéndez
Nationality	Spanish

Alejandro Mon y Menéndez (born February 26, 1801, in Oviedo, Spain – died November 1, 1882) was an important Spanish politician and lawyer. He served as the prime minister of Spain in 1864. This was during the time when Queen Isabella II ruled the country. He is best known for changing Spain's tax system.

Early Life and Education

Alejandro Mon was born in Oviedo, a city in the region of Principality of Asturias, Spain. He was the oldest son of Miguel Mon y Miranda and Francisca Menéndez y de la Torre. His only sister, Manuela, married another famous politician named Pedro José Pidal, 1st Marquis of Pidal. Pedro Pidal also served as prime minister multiple times.

Alejandro studied law at the University of Oviedo. While at university, he became very interested in politics. He decided to join the Moderate Party, a political group in Spain at the time.

Political Career

Alejandro Mon began his important political work during the time when Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies was ruling Spain for her young daughter, Queen Isabella II. This period was called a "regency." From 1837 to 1838, Mon became the Minister of Finance. This means he was in charge of the country's money and taxes. He worked in a government led by Narciso Fernández de Heredia, 2nd Count of Heredia-Spínola.

Later, another leader named Baldomero Espartero took over the regency. During Espartero's time (1840–1843), Mon was not part of the government. However, he stayed active in politics.

The Great Tax Reform

In 1844, the Moderate Party came back into power. This period was known as the Moderate Decade. The new prime minister, Ramón María Narváez, 1st Duke of Valencia, asked Mon to be the Minister of Finance again. Mon held this job from 1844 to 1845.

During this time, he led a very important change called the tax reform of 1845. He worked with Ramón de Santillán on this project. This reform created the basic tax system that Spain still uses today. Because of their work, it is often called the Mon-Santillán reform. It made the tax system simpler and fairer for everyone.

Later Roles and Prime Minister

After the Moderate Party lost power, a new group called the Liberal Union formed. Their leader, Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan, offered Mon several important jobs in the government. But Mon usually said no. He preferred to work in roles that were not directly in the spotlight of politics. For example, he served as an ambassador, representing Spain in other countries like the Holy See (the Vatican) and France.

However, in 1864, he returned to active politics. He became the prime minister, taking over from Lorenzo Arrazola y García. But his government only lasted for nine months. This was because Spain was going through a very unstable time with many social and political problems. Five years later, a big event called the Spanish Glorious Revolution happened, which changed the country's government.

Retirement

Alejandro Mon lived a long life. He saw many changes in Spain, including the rule of Amadeo I of Spain, the First Spanish Republic, and finally the return of the monarchy under King Alfonso XII. Mon supported King Alfonso XII's return, as he was a personal friend of Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, who helped bring the monarchy back.

Even though he supported the new government, Mon was not very active in politics during this time. He held an honorary job as a life senator, which meant he was a senator for the rest of his life. He eventually retired to his hometown of Oviedo, where he passed away in 1882.

See also

In Spanish: Alejandro Mon y Menéndez para niños