Domingo Elías facts for kids
Domingo Elías Carbajo (born July 19, 1805, in Ica, Peru – died July 3, 1867, in Lima, Peru) was a Peruvian leader. He served as the Interim President of Peru for a short time in 1844. This was during a period of civil war in Peru.
Biography
Domingo Elías became president during a time when Peru was divided. Different groups supported either Ramón Castilla or Domingo Elías.
He studied in Madrid and Paris after his early schooling. In 1825, he returned to Peru. He became a successful farmer in the Ica Region. He grew a lot of cotton and made wine. He also brought workers from China to help on his farms.
After a big war in the 1840s, Peru faced a lot of disorder. In 1843, during the government of Manuel Ignacio de Vivanco, Elías became the leader of Lima. Vivanco went south to fight another group led by Ramon Castilla. Elías was then put in charge of the northern parts of Peru. The country was still divided between different army groups.
During this difficult time, Elías decided to become a leader. He wanted to end the long wars in Peru. On July 17, 1844, he declared himself the "Political and Military chief" of Peru.
When another army group, led by Echenique, seemed to be coming to Lima, Elías prepared the city. He announced that everyone in Lima Province should be ready to fight. Public workers, schools, and businesses formed groups to defend the city. People from nearby areas like Pisco, Ica, and Callao also got ready. But Echenique's forces never arrived. This week became known as the "Magna Week" in Peru.
Soon after, Elías ended his government. This happened when Castilla won against Vivanco.
Elías held many important jobs after this. He was a minister and a representative for Ica in 1845. He served as Minister of Finance from 1844 to 1846. He was also Peru's ambassador to Bolivia in 1847. In 1851, he ran for president but lost to Echenique. During Echenique's government, Elías spoke out against corruption. He wrote famous letters about it. Because of this, he was sent away to Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Elías kept trying to become president. He returned to Peru through Tumbes to try and take power, but he failed. He tried again from his home in Ica but was defeated in Soraja in 1854. When Castilla finally became successful, Elías was named Minister of Finance again in 1855. Later, he became ambassador to France. He came back to Peru in 1858 to run for president one last time, but he was not successful. After that, Elías left politics. He focused on his business and farming activities.
Elías was also involved in mining guano (bird droppings used as fertilizer) on the Chincha Islands. He also continued to bring workers from Fujian, China.
He passed away in Lima in 1867.
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