Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti
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| Born | 23 June 1889 Mahón, Menorca, Spain
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| Died | 1967 Mexico
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| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Industrial engineer, journalist |
| Known for | PSUC leader |
Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti, also known as Estanislau Ruiz i Ponsetí in Catalan (born June 23, 1889 – died 1967), was a Spanish engineer and a socialist politician. He became an important leader of the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSUC). During the Spanish Civil War, he played a key role in creating a new economic system for Catalonia. After the war, he had to leave Spain and lived the rest of his life in Mexico.
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Early Life and Education (1889–1936)
Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti was born in Mahón, a city on the island of Menorca, Spain, on June 23, 1889. He was a very bright student and studied science and engineering at the University of Barcelona. He earned his first degree in 1911. From 1912 to 1914, he taught geometry at the same university. In 1915, he finished his studies and became an industrial engineer.
In 1917, he helped start a company called Riera i Ruiz and became one of its directors. He was also involved in workers' rights. In 1920, he helped create the General Union of Technicians of Catalonia, which was part of a larger workers' union called the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT).
Ruiz Ponsetti joined a political group called the Socialist Union of Catalonia. His political career grew, and he was elected as a representative, or "deputy," to the Parliament of Catalonia in November 1932. He served in this role from 1932 until 1939. He also taught Economics at the Ateneu Polytechnicum from 1934 to 1935 and at the Industrial School, where he became the director in 1936.
Role in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)
The Spanish Civil War began in 1936 and lasted until 1939. Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti supported the creation of the PSUC (Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia) in July 1936. This party aimed to unite different socialist groups.
In July 1936, the President of Catalonia, Lluís Companys, formed a new government. The PSUC was given three important roles, called ministries. Joan Comorera became the Minister of Economy, Rafael Vidiella was the Minister of Communications, and Ruiz Ponsetti was made the Minister of Supplies. However, this new government faced challenges from other political groups and was quickly replaced.
Even though he was no longer a minister, Ruiz Ponsetti remained important. In August 1936, he was chosen to represent the PSUC on the Economic Council of Catalonia. By June 1937, he became an advisor to Joan Comorera, who was again the Minister of Economy. In July 1937, Ruiz Ponsetti joined the PSUC Central Committee, which was the main leadership group of the party.
He became one of the main people behind something called the "New Economy." During the war, many businesses in Spain were taken over by the workers. Under Ruiz Ponsetti's guidance, some of these businesses were either taken over by the government or given back to their original owners. This was a way to try and organize the economy during the difficult war times.
In September 1937, Ruiz Ponsetti explained that the changes happening in Catalonia were similar to what happened in Russia in 1921. He believed that Catalonia could learn from Russia's experiences to avoid difficult times. He wanted to create an economy where both government-controlled businesses and private businesses could exist side by side.
From August 1937 until 1939, Ruiz Ponsetti served as the under secretary of the economy for the Catalan government. He also led the board of the Industrial and Commercial Credit Fund. In 1937, he became the director of the School of Labor in Barcelona.
Life in Exile (1939–1967)
After the Republican side lost the Spanish Civil War in 1939, Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti had to leave Spain. This is known as going into "exile." He arrived in Mexico in November 1939.
In Mexico, he continued to be active. In 1940, he started a publishing company called ATLANT. This company published Catalunya, which was the official newspaper of the PSUC, even though the party was now operating from outside Spain. From 1940 to 1965, he also worked for another publishing house called UTEHA.
In 1943, Ruiz Ponsetti was removed from the Central Committee of the PSUC. However, he remained involved in politics. In 1954, he was elected as the second vice-president of the Parliament in exile, which was a group of Spanish politicians who had left Spain after the war.
Estanislau Ruiz Ponsetti passed away in Mexico in 1967.
See also
In Spanish: Estanislau Ruiz para niños
