Federico Errázuriz Echaurren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Federico Errázuriz Echaurren
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| 12th President of Chile | |
| In office September 18, 1896 – July 12, 1901 |
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| Vice President | Aníbal Zañartu |
| Preceded by | Jorge Montt |
| Succeeded by | Aníbal Zañartu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1850 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | July 12, 1901 (aged 50) Valparaíso, Chile |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Gertrudis Echeñique Mujica |
Federico Errázuriz Echaurren (born in Santiago, November 16, 1850 – died in Valparaíso, July 12, 1901) was an important Chilean politician. He served as the 12th President of Chile. He was known for his efforts to improve education and for solving a big border problem with Argentina.
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Early Life and Education
Federico Errázuriz Echaurren was the son of a former president, Federico Errázuriz Zañartu. His mother was Eulogia Echaurren García-Huidobro. He went to school in Santiago and later studied at the University of Chile. He became a lawyer in 1873.
In 1875, he married Gertrudis Echeñique Mujica. She was related to an old governor of Chile. They had six children together.
Start in Politics
Errázuriz Echaurren joined the Liberal Party and began his political career in 1876. He was elected as a deputy (like a representative in government) for Constitución. He was re-elected several times.
He did not fight in the War of the Pacific. Later, he became the Minister of War and Navy in 1890. He then joined the group that opposed President José Manuel Balmaceda. In 1891, he signed a document to remove President Balmaceda from power. However, he did not take part in the 1891 Chilean Civil War.
After the civil war, he was elected as a deputy again. Due to poor health, he traveled to Germany for medical help. He also visited Europe and even met Pope Leo XIII. When he returned to Chile, he became a Senator (another type of government representative) and later the Minister of Justice and Public Instruction.
Becoming President
After a very close election, Federico Errázuriz Echaurren became the President of Chile on September 18, 1896. He was 46 years old. Even though he was young, he was already showing signs of the illness that would later cause his death.
His time as president was challenging. He had a majority of support in the Senate but not in the Chamber of Deputies. This made it hard to pass new laws. Chile was also facing economic problems because the nitrate industry was struggling. Relationships with neighboring countries like Perú, Bolivia, and Argentina were also tense.
To try and make things more stable, he formed a cabinet (a group of top advisors) with members from different political parties. However, this cabinet only lasted two months. During his presidency, he had 17 different cabinets, which shows how difficult it was to keep political stability.
Public Improvements
President Errázuriz's government focused a lot on improving public education. New schools were created, including a professional school for girls and a commercial institute. New high schools were also built in Santiago and Iquique.
His administration also helped build new tram systems in several cities. They started a new sewerage system for Santiago and built the Peñuelas water reservoir, which still provides water for Valparaíso today.
Solving the Border Problem with Argentina
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One of the biggest challenges during his presidency was the risk of war with Argentina. Both countries had disagreements about their borders, especially in the Puna de Atacama region. They were also building up their navies, which made the situation worse.
President Errázuriz wanted peace. Eventually, both countries agreed to let the King of England decide on the border dispute. This decision helped avoid a war.
To celebrate this peaceful agreement, President Errázuriz and the President of Argentina, Julio Argentino Roca, met in the Strait of Magellan on February 15, 1899. This meeting is known as the "Embrace of the Strait" (El Abrazo del Estrecho). It was a very important moment for peace between the two nations.
Health Problems and Death
Federico Errázuriz Echaurren's health was a problem throughout his presidency. He had traveled to Germany for treatment before becoming president. The death of his oldest son in 1897 also affected him deeply.
In June 1900, he had to temporarily step down from his duties to seek medical advice again. He returned to his role in October of the same year. However, he died suddenly on July 12, 1901, in Valparaíso, from a brain thrombosis (a blood clot). He was replaced by his Minister of the Interior, Aníbal Zañartu, who finished his presidential term.
Legacy
A type of plant was named after Federico Errázuriz Echaurren by a scientist named Rodolfo Amando Philippi. The plant is called Errazurizia glandulifera. It is a unique plant with purple and yellow flowers that smell like incense.
See also
