Antonio José de Sucre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antonio José de Sucre
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Portrait by Arturo Michelena, 1895
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| 2nd President of Bolivia | |
| In office 29 December 1825 – 18 April 1828 |
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| Preceded by | Simón Bolívar |
| Succeeded by | José María Pérez de Urdininea (acting) |
| Supreme Military Chief of Peru | |
| In office 23 June 1823 – 17 July 1823 |
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| Preceded by | José de la Riva Agüero |
| Succeeded by | José Bernardo de Tagle |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá
3 February 1795 Cumaná, Captaincy General of Venezuela, Spanish Empire (now Cumaná, Venezuela) |
| Died | 4 June 1830 (aged 35) Outside Pasto, New Granada (now Arboleda, Colombia) |
| Cause of death | Assassination by gunshots |
| Resting place | Cathedral of Quito |
| Spouse | Maríana de Carcelén y Larrea, Marquise of Solanda |
| Children | Teresa Sucre y Carcelén |
| Honorary title | Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho |
| Signature |  |
Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá (3 February 1795 – 4 June 1830) was a brave general and important politician from Venezuela. People knew him as the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho" (meaning "Grand Marshal of Ayacucho"). He was the second president of Bolivia from 1825 to 1828.
Sucre was a very close friend and helper of Simón Bolívar. He was one of the main leaders who helped South America become free from the Spanish Empire. This fight for freedom is known as the Spanish American wars of independence.
Sucre was born into a noble family in Cumaná. He joined the fight against Spanish rule in 1814. He quickly became a very skilled military leader. In 1822, he led the Patriot army to victory at the Battle of Pichincha. This battle freed Quito, which is now part of Ecuador.
As Bolívar's main helper, Sucre won a huge victory against the Spanish army at the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824. This win made Peru truly independent. After that, he went to Upper Peru (now Bolivia). He helped calm down the Spanish supporters and set up a new government. This region became the independent country of Bolivia. Sucre became its first president after Bolívar decided not to take the job.
Being president was tough for Sucre. People started to turn against Bolívar and his supporters. Sucre had to resign in 1828. But he was called back to lead the army when the Gran Colombia–Peru War started. He commanded the Colombian forces and fought the Peruvian invaders to a stop. Sucre was sadly killed in Berruecos, Colombia, in 1830. We still don't know for sure who planned his death.
Contents
Family Background
The Sucre family was a noble family with roots in Flanders (a region in Europe). They came to Venezuela through Charles de Sucre y Franco Perez. He was a Flemish nobleman whose father was Charles Adrian de Sucre, Marquess of Peru.
Charles de Sucre y Pardo was a soldier in Catalonia in 1698. He later became the Governor of Cartagena de Indias and Captain General of Cuba. On 22 December 1779, Charles de Sucre y Pardo arrived in Cumaná, Venezuela. He was named Governor of New Andalucia, which includes today's Sucre State.
Military Achievements
The Fight for Independence
In 1814, Antonio José de Sucre joined the fight to free South America from Spain. This was a very important time for the continent.
Victory at Pichincha
The Battle of Pichincha happened on 24 May 1822. It took place on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, near Quito in what is now Ecuador. Sucre led the Patriot army against the Spanish Royalist army. The Patriots won, which freed Quito and other areas. This victory helped create the country of Ecuador.
The Decisive Battle of Ayacucho
By late 1824, the Spanish still controlled parts of southern Peru. On 9 December 1824, the Battle of Ayacucho took place. Sucre, as Simón Bolívar's top general, led the Patriot forces to a great victory. They defeated the Spanish Viceroy, José de la Serna.
After this battle, the Spanish army officially gave up. Because of this huge win, Sucre was made a Marshal and a General in Chief.
Liberating Upper Peru
After the victory at Ayacucho, Bolívar ordered Sucre to enter Upper Peru (now Bolivia). Sucre arrived on 25 February 1825. His job was to help set up an independent government there. The people of Upper Peru had already started their own fight for freedom.
The Spanish general Pedro Antonio Olañeta tried to keep fighting. But many Spanish soldiers in Upper Peru decided to join the independence movement. On 2 April 1825, Olañeta was defeated and died in the Battle of Tumusla. A few days later, on 7 April, the last Spanish general surrendered. This ended the war in Upper Peru and brought victory to the local independence movement.
Founding of Bolivia
On 8 July 1825, a special meeting was held in Chuquisaca. It was decided that Upper Peru would be completely independent and become a republic. On 6 August 1825, the "Independence Act of the Upper Peruvian Departments" was signed. This date honored Bolívar's victory at the Battle of Junín.
The act stated that Upper Peru had shed the first blood for freedom in America. It declared that the people of Upper Peru would now govern themselves. The new country was first named "República Bolívar" to honor the liberator. Bolívar was called the "Father of the Republic."
Bolívar thanked them but did not want to be president. He gave the job to Sucre, the hero of Ayacucho. Sucre became the first President of Bolivia. Later, a deputy suggested a new name for the country. He said, "If from Romulus, Rome; from Bolívar, it is Bolivia." This is how the country got its name.
Bolívar was happy about the name. But he was worried about Bolivia's future because it was in the middle of South America. He thought it might face many wars. Bolívar wished Bolivia would join another country, like Peru or Argentina. But the people's strong desire for independence changed his mind. When he visited, people cheered for him. He called the new nation his "Favorite Daughter."
After Bolivia was founded, Sucre also became the commander of the Armed Forces of Bolivia. He created the army from the existing Patriot forces. In 1828, he gave the young republic its first Constitution.
Battle of Tarqui
In the Battle of Tarqui, on 27 February 1829, Sucre led his forces to victory. Even though he was greatly outnumbered, he defeated a Peruvian army. This army had tried to take over parts of Ecuador.
After Independence
In 1828, many people started to oppose Bolívar and the Bolivian constitution. Sucre decided to resign from his presidency.
Death of Sucre
Antonio José de Sucre was killed on 4 June 1830. He was traveling through a foggy, forested area called Berruecos in Colombia. He was ambushed by a group of attackers. Sucre was shot and died almost right away. His companions fled, and his body remained there for a day.
Later, some of the people involved confessed. They said they were paid to kill Sucre. The reasons behind his death were complex, involving political disagreements and power struggles in the newly independent countries.
Burial and Remembrance
The day after his death, Sucre's orderly, Lorenzo Caicedo, buried his body. Sucre's wife later moved his remains in secret to a chapel in Quito. Seventy years later, in April 1900, his remains were found. They were moved to the Cathedral of Quito in a grand parade on 4 June 1900. A special tomb was built for him there, made from a huge piece of granite.
Many people, including Bolívar, were deeply saddened by Sucre's death. Bolívar believed Sucre was the only person who could have kept Gran Colombia united. Bolívar said, "The blood of the innocent Abel has been spilled." He also wrote that Sucre's death was a "lamentable and painful" crime.
Sucre is buried in the Cathedral of Quito, Ecuador. This was his wish, as his wife was from Quito.
Sucre's Legacy
Many places and things are named after Antonio José de Sucre to honor his memory:
- The airport in Quito is called Mariscal Sucre International Airport.
- A Venezuelan satellite, VRSS-2, launched in 2017, was named after him.
- The Sucre Department in Colombia is named after him.
- The Sucre State in Venezuela, where Cumaná is located, bears his name.
- Sucre, the capital city of Bolivia, is also named in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio José de Sucre para niños
