kids encyclopedia robot

Bernardo O'Higgins facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Bernardo O'Higgins
Ohiggins.jpg
Portrait by José Gil de Castro
Supreme Director of Chile
In office
17 February 1817 – 27 January 1823
Preceded by José Miguel Carrera
Succeeded by Ramón Freire
Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army
In office
27 April 1819 – 27 January 1823
Preceded by José de San Martín
Succeeded by Ramón Freire
In office
27 November 1813 – 2 September 1814
Preceded by José Miguel Carrera
Succeeded by José Miguel Carrera
Personal details
Born (1778-08-20)20 August 1778
Chillán, Captaincy General of Chile (now Chillán, Chile)
Died 24 October 1842(1842-10-24) (aged 64)
Lima, Peru
Children 2
Alma mater Royal College of San Carlos
Occupation Head of State, Military
Signature
Military service
Battles/wars

Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 – October 24, 1842) was a very important leader in Chile's history. He helped free Chile from Spanish rule during the Chilean War of Independence. He came from a wealthy family with Spanish and Irish roots. Even though he was the second person to hold the title of Supreme Director of Chile, he is seen as one of Chile's founding fathers. This is because he was the first leader of a truly independent Chile.

He held many high military ranks. He was a Captain General of the Chilean Army. He was also a Brigadier for the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata. He became a General Officer of Gran Colombia and a Grand Marshal of Peru.

Who Was Bernardo O'Higgins?

Portrait of Ambrosio O'Higgins (18th-19th century)
Ambrosio O'Higgins, Bernardo's father. They never met in person.

Bernardo O'Higgins was born in Chillán, Chile, in 1778. His father was Ambrosio O'Higgins, 1st Marquis of Osorno, a Spanish officer from Ireland. Ambrosio later became the governor of Chile and then the viceroy of Peru. Bernardo's mother was Isabel Riquelme, a well-known local woman.

Bernardo grew up with his mother's family. His father supported him financially but they never met. When Bernardo was 15, his father sent him to Lima for his education. Later, he went to London to continue his studies. In London, he learned about ideas of independence for countries. He met Francisco de Miranda, a Venezuelan who believed in freedom. Bernardo joined a secret group that wanted to make Latin America independent.

In 1802, O'Higgins returned to Chile. He took his father's last name and became a farmer. In 1808, Napoleon took control of Spain. This caused many changes in South America. In Chile, local leaders decided to create their own government. This was a big step towards Chile's independence. O'Higgins played a major role in this movement.

Fighting for Chile's Freedom

Bernardo ohiggins
A portrait of O'Higgins in the National Congress Library of Chile.

On September 18, 1810, O'Higgins joined the fight against Spanish rule. Chilean leaders did not want to be ruled by Napoleon's brother. They formed a temporary government to support the Spanish king. This day is now celebrated as Chile's Independence Day.

O'Higgins became a deputy in Chile's first National Congress of Chile in 1811. He was a strong supporter of independence. However, the leaders who wanted independence were not always united. There were rival groups, especially between leaders from Santiago and Concepción.

General José Miguel Carrera MC0005611
José Miguel Carrera, another important leader in Chile's fight for freedom.

O'Higgins often had disagreements with José Miguel Carrera. Carrera was a powerful leader from Santiago. O'Higgins's support came from Concepción. In 1813, Spain tried to take back control of Chile. Carrera was the army's commander. O'Higgins joined the fight and showed great courage. He won a battle at Linares and was promoted to colonel.

O'Higgins was known for his brave fighting style. He often fought with great determination. After some battles, the leadership of the army changed. O'Higgins was given command instead of Carrera. This made their rivalry even stronger.

O'Higgins Statue, Richmond, London.
Bust of Bernardo O' Higgins in Richmond Upon Thames, London, United Kingdom.

In 1814, royalist forces attacked again. O'Higgins and Carrera decided to work together against the common enemy. They planned to defend a narrow gorge. However, O'Higgins decided to defend the town of Rancagua instead. Carrera did not arrive with help, and O'Higgins's forces were surrounded. This was a difficult defeat.

After this loss, O'Higgins and other Chilean patriots went to Argentina. They stayed there for three years while Spain controlled Chile again.

O'Higgins Becomes Supreme Director

Ejercito Libertador cruce de Cordillera de los andes
Generals José de San Martín (left) and Bernardo O'Higgins (right) crossing the Andes mountains.

While in Argentina, O'Higgins met José de San Martín. San Martín was a famous Argentine general. Together, they planned to free Chile. In 1817, they led their armies back into Chile. They won a major victory at the Battle of Chacabuco.

Carga de O'Higgins
O'Higgins leading a charge at the Battle of Rancagua.

During the Battle of Chacabuco, O'Higgins showed his bravery. He charged with his troops even before planned. San Martín had to adjust his strategy to support O'Higgins. Their combined efforts led to a big win for the patriots. This battle was very important for Chile's independence.

Abrazo de Maipú
O'Higgins meets Jose San Martin after the Battle of Maipú in 1818.

After some more fighting, including a royalist victory at Second Battle of Cancha Rayada, the patriots won the final battle at Battle of Maipú in 1818. This victory secured Chile's independence. San Martín was offered the leadership of Chile, but he wanted to continue fighting for freedom in other parts of South America. So, O'Higgins accepted the role.

On February 16, 1817, Bernardo O'Higgins became the first leader of independent Chile. He was given special powers as the Supreme Director. On February 12, 1818, Chile officially declared itself an independent republic.

Leading Independent Chile

JuraIndependencia
Bernardo O'Higgins, shown at the declaration of Chilean independence.

For six years, O'Higgins led Chile. His government made many improvements. He helped create markets, courts, colleges, and hospitals. He also worked to improve farming.

O'Higgins also focused on strengthening Chile's military. He founded the Chilean Military Academy in 1817. He also created the modern Chilean Navy. He hired a Scottish officer, Lord Cochrane, to lead the navy. O'Higgins believed that controlling the sea was vital for Chile's safety. He even sent forces to help San Martín free Peru.

However, over time, O'Higgins started to lose support. He proposed new ideas like democracy and ending noble titles. These ideas were not popular with powerful landowners. He also upset the church. His government also ran out of money. A big earthquake added to the country's problems.

In 1822, O'Higgins introduced a new constitution. Many people thought this was his way of trying to stay in power. Some people also blamed him for the deaths of his political rivals. The different regions of Chile felt he was taking too much power for himself.

RamonFreire
Ramón Freire, who became Chile's leader after O'Higgins.

On January 28, 1823, O'Higgins was removed from power. Ramón Freire, who had been his ally, took his place. O'Higgins left Chile in July 1823 and never returned.

Life in Exile and Legacy

O'Higgins went to Peru after leaving Chile. He was encouraged by Simón Bolívar, another great South American liberator. Bolívar gave O'Higgins land in Peru. O'Higgins lived there with his son, mother, and half-sister.

He wanted to join Bolívar's army to help free Peru. However, Bolívar did not give him a command. O'Higgins still celebrated the final victory in Peru. He said, "America is free. From now on General O'Higgins does not exist; I am only Bernardo O'Higgins, a private citizen."

Later, the Chilean government honored O'Higgins again. They gave him back his old military rank. In 1842, the Chilean Congress voted to allow him to return home. But O'Higgins was too sick to travel. He died in Lima, Peru, on October 24, 1842, at age 64.

Remembering O'Higgins

2016 busto Bernardo O'Higgins Bogotá
A bust of O'Higgins in Bogotá, Colombia.

Bernardo O'Higgins is remembered as a hero in Chile and other countries. His body was first buried in Peru, then moved to Chile in 1869. Today, his remains are in a special crypt in Santiago.

Many places are named after him. One of Chile's regions is called Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Region. The main street in Chile's capital, Santiago, is Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins. There is also a Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.

Santiago - Mausoleo de O'Higgins (1872)
The Mausoleum of O'Higgins in Cementerio General de Santiago in 1872.

You can find statues and busts of O'Higgins around the world. There's one in London, where he studied. There are also busts in Dublin and Sligo, Ireland, because of his Irish family background. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, there is a large statue of him.

The Order of Bernardo O'Higgins is Chile's highest award for foreign citizens. It is named in his honor. The Chilean Navy has named several ships after him, including frigates, corvettes, cruisers, and a submarine. There is also a Chilean research station in Antarctica named Base General Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme.

In 2010, the post offices of Ireland and Chile issued stamps to honor O'Higgins and Juan Mackenna. These stamps marked 200 years since Chile's fight for independence began.

See also

kids search engine
Bernardo O'Higgins Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.