Bernardo de Gálvez, 1st Viscount of Galveston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent Field Marshall
The Viscount of Galveston
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Portrait of Gálvez, c. 1785
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| 49th Viceroy of New Spain | |
| In office 17 June 1785 – 30 November 1786 |
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| Monarch | Charles III |
| Preceded by | Matías de Gálvez y Gallardo |
| Succeeded by | Alonso Núñez de Haro y Peralta |
| 5th Spanish Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office 1777–1783 |
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| Monarch | Charles III |
| Preceded by | Luis de Unzaga |
| Succeeded by | Esteban Rodríguez Miró |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid
23 July 1746 Macharaviaya, Málaga, Crown of Castile, Spain |
| Died | 30 November 1786 (aged 40) Tacubaya District, Mexico City, New Spain |
| Awards | Order of Charles III |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1762–1786 |
| Rank | Captain General Marshal |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Bernardo Vicente de Gálvez y Madrid (born July 23, 1746 – died November 30, 1786) was an important Spanish military leader and government official. He served as a governor in places like Spanish Louisiana and Cuba. Later, he became the Viceroy of New Spain, which was a huge Spanish territory in North America.
Gálvez played a key role in helping France and the newly formed United States during the American Revolutionary War. He led Spanish forces against the British, especially in the southern parts of North America. His victories helped the American colonists gain independence. The city of Galveston, Texas, is named after him. He is also one of only eight people to have been given honorary United States citizenship.
Contents
Who Was Bernardo de Gálvez?
Bernardo de Gálvez was born in a small town called Macharaviaya in Spain. He came from a family with many important people who served the Spanish king. From a young age, he was trained to be a soldier and a leader. He joined the Spanish Army and quickly showed he was brave and smart.
Early Military Career
Gálvez began his military career in Spain. He gained experience in different parts of the world, including North Africa. He learned a lot about leading troops and planning battles. These early experiences prepared him for the bigger challenges he would face later in his life.
Helping America in the War
During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), Spain decided to help the American colonists fight against Great Britain. Bernardo de Gálvez was chosen to lead the Spanish efforts in the southern United States. His main goal was to weaken the British by attacking their forts and controlling important waterways.
Capturing West Florida
Gálvez led several successful military campaigns against the British.
- In 1779, he captured Fort Bute and Baton Rouge in Louisiana. These victories were important because they gave Spain control over parts of the Mississippi River.
- He then moved on to capture Fort Charlotte in Mobile (present-day Alabama) in 1780.
- His biggest victory was the Siege of Pensacola in 1781. Pensacola was a very strong British fort in West Florida. Gálvez led his troops and ships in a long and difficult siege. Even though he was injured during the fighting, he kept leading his forces. His bravery and skill led to the British surrender.
After Gálvez's victories, all of Florida was returned to Spain in the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolutionary War. His actions helped secure the southern border of the new United States and greatly weakened the British position in North America.
Governor and Viceroy
After his military successes, Gálvez continued to serve Spain in important government roles.
- He became the Governor of Spanish Louisiana, where he worked to improve the economy and protect the territory.
- Later, he was appointed the Viceroy of New Spain. This was one of the most powerful positions in the Spanish Empire. As Viceroy, he was in charge of a vast territory that included much of present-day Mexico and parts of the United States. He worked to improve public services and the lives of the people in New Spain. Sadly, he served as Viceroy for only a short time, succeeding his father, before he passed away.
Honored in History
Bernardo de Gálvez is remembered as a hero in both Spain and the United States.
- The city of Galveston, Texas, is named in his honor.
- In 2014, the United States Congress made him an honorary citizen of the United States. This special honor recognizes his important contributions to American independence.
Images for kids
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Portrayed as viceroy of New Spain, c. 1785
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Painting of Gálvez at the siege of Pensacola by Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau
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Norteamerica, 1792, Jaillot-Elwe, Spanish Florida's borders after Bernardo Gálvez's military actions, which appear to include Spanish Louisiana and Spanish Texas, as well
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Portrait of Gálvez displayed at the United States Capitol, by Mariano Salvador Maella
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Equestrian statue of Gálvez in Virginia Avenue, Washington D.C.
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Statue of Bernardo de Galvez in Spanish Plaza, Mobile, Alabama
See also
In Spanish: Bernardo de Gálvez para niños
