Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfredo Zayas
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Zayas in 1925
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| 4th President of Cuba | |
| In office 20 May 1921 – 20 May 1925 |
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| Vice President | Francisco Carrillo |
| Preceded by | Mario García Menocal |
| Succeeded by | Gerardo Machado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 21, 1861 Havana, Spanish Cuba |
| Died | April 11, 1934 (aged 73) Havana, Cuba |
| Nationality |  Cuban |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Other political affiliations |
National League |
| Spouses | 1st Margarita María Teresa Claudia del Carmen Arrieta y Diago, 2nd 1914 María Asunción de las Mercedes Jaén y Planas |
| Children | Margarita Zayas y Arrieta Alfredo Zayas y Arrieta Francisco Zayas y Arrieta Maria-Teresa Zayas y Arrieta Alfredo Zayas y Mendez |
| Occupation | Attorney, politician |
Alfredo de Zayas y Alfonso (born February 21, 1861 – died April 11, 1934) was a Cuban lawyer, poet, and important political leader. He is often known simply as Alfredo Zayas. He held many important jobs, including judge, mayor of Havana, and a Senator. He was also the Vice President of Cuba from 1909 to 1913. Later, he became the 4th President of Cuba, serving from May 20, 1921, to May 20, 1925.
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Early Life and Background
Alfredo Zayas was born in Havana, Cuba, into a well-known family. His family had old sugar plantations. He was the fifth child of Dr. José María de Zayas y Jiménez, who was a famous lawyer and teacher. His mother was Lutgarda Alfonso y Espada.
Alfredo had two brothers who were also important. One brother, Dr. Juan Bruno de Zayas y Alfonso, was a doctor and a hero who died fighting for Cuba's freedom. His other brother, Dr. Francisco de Zayas y Alfonso, was Cuba's Minister to Paris and Brussels for a long time.
During Cuba's fight for independence in 1895, Alfredo Zayas stopped using the "de" in his name. This was a way to show his support for the revolution. He became known as Alfredo Zayas. Besides his work as a lawyer, he also loved literature. He helped edit a magazine called "Cuba Literaria."
During the War for Independence
Alfredo Zayas was a thinker and a writer, not a military leader. During the Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898), he was arrested. He was sent to a prison in Ceuta, which was an African territory belonging to Spain.
While he was being moved through Spain, he wrote some of his best poems. These poems were later published. Because he didn't have military experience like other leaders, people sometimes called him the "erudite civilian president." This means he was a very smart president who came from a non-military background.
Political Journey
After the war, when Cuba became independent from Spain, Alfredo Zayas returned home. He became the acting mayor of Havana. He also helped write Cuba's first constitution in 1901. He was the secretary of the group that created it.
Zayas strongly disagreed with the U.S. taking over parts of Cuba. He voted against the Platt Amendment. This amendment gave the U.S. the right to interfere in Cuba's affairs. He also voted against giving naval bases to the U.S. in places like Guantánamo.
Zayas became a leader of the Liberal Party. In 1908, he was elected Vice-President of Cuba. In the 1916 presidential election, he received more votes than General Mario García Menocal. This led to a conflict known as the Chambelona War. The U.S. supported García Menocal, and Zayas eventually surrendered.
He ran for president again in 1920 and won. He became president in 1921.
President of Cuba (1921-1925)
Alfredo Zayas served one term as president. During his time in office, he worked on several important things:
- He started the process to give Cuban women the right to vote.
- He worked to get the Isle of Youth (Isla de la Juventud) back for Cuba. The U.S. had occupied this island since 1898. This was achieved with the Hay-Quesada Treaty in 1925.
- He got a large loan of $50 million from J.P. Morgan to help Cuba's economy.
- He allowed full freedom of speech and press for the first time. This meant people could speak and write what they thought without fear of being stopped.
- He launched PWX, which was the first radio station in Cuba, on October 10, 1922.
Even though some people said his government was corrupt, it was actually less corrupt than the governments before and after him. Zayas did not censor the press or arrest people who criticized him. This was different from other Cuban presidents. Because of his calm and patient nature, people sometimes called him "el Chino" (the Chinaman). He was also nicknamed "pesetero" because he always carried a Spanish Peseta coin in his pocket.
When he became president in 1921, Cuba was in a difficult financial situation. The country was in debt, and sugar prices had dropped a lot. Despite these challenges, he made many improvements, especially in education.
President Zayas, like other Cuban leaders, had to deal with the Platt Amendment. This amendment meant the U.S. often got involved in Cuba's money matters. For example, Zayas needed the U.S.'s approval to get big loans.
Family Life
In 1884, Alfredo Zayas married Margarita Teresa Claudia del Carmen Arrieta y Diago. They had four children together: Margarita, Alfredo, Francisco, and Maria-Teresa. Later, in 1914, he married a second time to Maria de la Asuncion Jaen y Planas. He also had another child named Alfredo Zayas y Mendez.
His great-grandson, Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, is a lawyer and historian.
Later Years
Alfredo Zayas did not run for president again after his term ended. He spent his last years giving talks and focusing on his love for literature and history. He published a major work called "Lexicografia Antillana." He also served as the President of the "Academia de la Historia" until he passed away. After Zayas, Gerardo Machado was elected president.
See also
In Spanish: Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso para niños
