Diego Hidalgo y Durán facts for kids
Diego Hidalgo y Durán (1886–1961) was a smart Spanish thinker and politician. He became the Minister of War during a time in Spain called the Second Spanish Republic (from 1931 to 1936).
Biography
Diego Hidalgo was born in Los Santos de Maimona in Extremadura, Spain. His family had a noble background, but they didn't have much land or money. His father passed away when Diego was young, so he had to start working early to support his family.
He studied law and then passed a special test to become a notary. A notary is a legal expert who helps make sure important documents are signed correctly. With this job, he could support his mother and four brothers and sisters.
Diego Hidalgo was a Republican (someone who believes a country should be run by elected officials, not a king or queen). Even though he could have used two noble titles (like Marquis) that his grandfather had, he chose not to, because he believed in a republic.
He helped write the rules for the Second Spanish Republic in 1931. He was also a member of the Radical Republican Party, led by Alejandro Lerroux. In 1934, Diego Hidalgo became the Minister of War. This meant he was in charge of the country's military.
While he was Minister, Hidalgo chose Francisco Franco as one of his advisors. Franco later became the leader of Spain for many years during and after the Spanish Civil War. Hidalgo even ordered Franco to help stop a big workers' strike in Asturias in 1934. Even though Franco and Hidalgo had different political ideas later on, they remained friends. Hidalgo was one of the few people who could speak openly with Franco.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), it became dangerous for Diego Hidalgo in Spain. He was at risk from both sides of the war, the Nationalists and the Republicans. So, he had to leave Spain and spent most of the war in France. There, he married Gerda Schnur.
Diego Hidalgo returned to Spain in 1938. He continued his work as a lawyer, notary, and writer. A notable thing he did was to help save 39 political prisoners from being executed. He was able to prove that they were innocent. Hidalgo was also a member of the International Court of Justice, which is a court that helps solve problems between countries.
Diego Hidalgo y Durán was the father of another well-known Spanish thinker and helper of good causes, Diego Hidalgo Schnur.
Major writings by Diego Hidalgo y Durán
- Un notario español en Rusia, 1929.
- ¿Por qué fui lanzado del ministerio de la guerra?: diez meses de actuación ministerial, 1934.
- Nueva York: impresiones de un español del siglo XIX que no sabe inglés, 1947.
- José Antonio de Saravia: de estudiante extremeño a general de los ejércitos del Zar, 1936.
See also
In Spanish: Diego Hidalgo para niños
