Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga
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|---|---|
| Royal Governor of Panama | |
| In office June 25, 1758 – October 13, 1761 |
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| Monarch | Ferdinand VI |
| Preceded by | Manuel de Montiano |
| Succeeded by | José Roan |
| Royal Governor of Chile | |
| In office October 3, 1762 – August 24, 1768 |
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| Monarch | Charles III |
| Preceded by | Félix de Berroeta |
| Succeeded by | Juan de Balmaseda |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Spain |
| Died | August 24, 1768 Santiago, Chile |
Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga (died August 24, 1768) was an important Spanish leader. He served as a governor in two different parts of the Spanish colonies: first in Panama and then in Chile.
Governor of Chile and the Arauco War
Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga became the Royal Governor of Chile in 1762. During his time, he tried to deal with the ongoing Arauco War. This was a long conflict between the Spanish and the Mapuches, who were the native people of the region.
In 1764, Governor Guill y Gonzaga held a big meeting with the Mapuche leaders. This meeting was called the "Parliament of Nacimiento". He hoped to make peace and also wanted the Mapuche people to live in towns, like the Spanish.
However, this idea did not work out well. It made many Mapuches unhappy. Because of this, a major Mapuche uprising of 1766 began. A Mapuche leader named toqui Curiñancu led this rebellion. The fighting continued for several years until peace was finally made in 1774.
Expulsion of the Jesuits
Another big event during his time as governor was the order to remove the Jesuits from Chile. The Jesuits were a powerful group of Catholic priests and scholars. On August 27, 1767, they were forced to leave the country. This was part of a larger decision by the Spanish king to remove Jesuits from all Spanish lands.
Founding New Towns
Governor Guill y Gonzaga also helped to develop the region. In 1765, he officially made Talcahuano a "Port of registry," which meant it was an important port for ships. He also founded several new towns.
Some of the towns he founded include:
- Villa San Luis Gonzaga de Rere (1765)
- Tucapel Nuevo (1765)
- San Carlos de Yumbel (1766)
These towns were all in the Concepcion region. On Chiloé, an island off the coast, he founded San Carlos de Chonchi in 1767 and San Carlos de Ancud in 1768.
Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga died in Santiago, Chile, on August 24, 1768. After his death, Juan de Balmaseda y Censano Beltrán took over as the temporary governor.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga para niños
