Antonio José Amar y Borbón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antonio José Amar y Borbón |
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Portrait of Amar y Borbón as viceroy of New Granada
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| Viceroy of New Granada | |
| Viceroy | 16 September 1803 – 20 July 1810 |
| Predecessor | Pedro Mendinueta y Múzquiz |
| Successor | Francisco Javier Venegas as titular viceroy |
| Successor | José Miguel Pey de Andrade as President of the Supreme Governing Junta |
| Born | Antonio José Amar y Borbón Arguedas 1742 Zaragoza, Kingdom of Spain |
| Died | 1826 Zaragoza, Kingdom of Spain |
| Vicereine | Doña Francisca Villanova |
| Religion | Catholic |
Antonio José Amar y Borbón Arguedas (born 1742 in Zaragoza, Spain – died 1826 in Zaragoza) was a Spanish military officer. From 1803 to 1810, he served as the viceroy of New Granada. This area is now mostly Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. During his time as viceroy, he faced the start of the independence movement. He is also remembered for bringing fancy costumes and masked balls to the parties in Bogotá.
Contents
Who Was Antonio José Amar y Borbón?
His Family Background
Antonio Amar y Borbón came from a well-known family of doctors. His father, José Amar y Arguedas, was a doctor to King Ferdinand VI. His grandfather, Miguel Borbón y Berne, was a doctor to King Charles III. His sister, Josefa, was also part of a Royal Medical Society.
His Military Career
When he was 20, Antonio joined the Farnesio Cavalry Regiment. He slowly moved up in rank. After 31 years of service, he became a brigadier. He fought in the siege of Gibraltar in 1779. He also fought in the war against revolutionary France starting in 1792. He was recognized for his bravery in 1794. He helped Spanish troops retreat safely during a battle.
Because of his excellent military service, he received special honors. He became a knight of the Order of Santiago in 1770. In 1802, he was promoted to lieutenant general in the royal army. On July 26, 1802, he was chosen to be the viceroy of New Granada. He also became the governor and captain general. He was also the president of the Royal Audiencia (a high court) in Bogotá.
His Arrival in New Granada
On September 16, 1803, Antonio Amar y Borbón arrived in Bogotá. He met the previous viceroy, Pedro Mendinueta. He received a very grand welcome. People spent a lot of money on food and drinks for his arrival party. There were bullfights, fireworks, and lights. They even had a masked ball. People danced many different types of dances.
He arrived in Bogotá after a smallpox outbreak. He brought a vaccine for the disease with him. This was very important for public health. The masked balls were new to Bogotá society. The vicereine, Doña Francisca Villanova, especially enjoyed them.
His Time as Viceroy
Early Years (1803–1808)
Antonio Amar's time as viceroy can be split into two parts. The first part was from 1803 to 1808. During these years, his government was fairly normal. He wanted to continue the good changes started by earlier viceroys. These changes were part of the Bourbon reforms.
He supported important scientific work. He helped the botanical expedition led by José Celestino Mutis. He also supported the scientific research of Francisco José de Caldas.
Later Years and Challenges (1808–1810)
The second part of his rule began in 1808. This was when Napoleonic France invaded Spain. This event caused big problems in the colonies. The authority of the Spanish officials became weaker. The power of the local-born Spanish people, called Criollos, grew stronger.
Amar did not trust the Criollos completely. He did not agree to their request to form a local army. He worried they might not be loyal to the Spanish Crown. The Criollos, in turn, worried that the viceroy might side with the French. The viceroy and the Audiencia also had disagreements.
In September 1809, there was a revolution in Quito. Amar y Borbón held meetings to decide what to do. The Criollos and the people born in Spain (Peninsulares) disagreed. The Criollos did not want to send troops to stop the rebels. The viceroy decided to send a peace group to talk. He also sent troops in case the talks failed.
Antonio Amar y Borbón had Antonio Nariño arrested. Nariño was an important person who wanted Colombia to be independent. Nariño was held in a fort in Cartagena. Another person, Balthasar Miraño, was also arrested for similar activities.
His Removal from Power
On July 20, 1810, a revolt began in Bogotá. The people demanded a public town meeting. This meeting chose a new Supreme Junta (governing council) for New Granada. Viceroy Amar was made its president. However, many people in the city did not support him. There were rumors that he was planning to fight back.
On July 25, 1810, he was removed from his position. José Miguel Pey, the new president of the Supreme Junta, ordered his arrest. His wife was also arrested.
A few days later, on August 1, a message arrived from Spain. It ordered him to give his job to a new viceroy, Francisco Javier Venegas. Amar had been released by this time.
But the people demanded his arrest again. On August 13, he was arrested once more. The governing council in the capital did not approve of this arrest. On August 15, he was secretly taken from Bogotá. He was held prisoner in the convent of La Popa in Cartagena. He stayed there until October 12. Then, he was sent to Havana and later to Spain.
When he arrived in Spain, he had very little money. Most of his belongings had been taken. He tried to get a job in the government and get his possessions back. He was not successful at first. In 1820, he was given an honorary position as a councilor of state. He held other important jobs later. In 1824, he faced a long trial, but he was found innocent. He died in 1826 in Zaragoza.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio José Amar y Borbón para niños
