Francisco Javier Echeverría facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Javier Echeverría
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| 12th President of Mexico | |
| In office 22 September 1841 – 10 October 1841 |
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| Preceded by | Anastasio Bustamante |
| Succeeded by | Antonio López de Santa Anna |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 2 July 1797 Jalapa, Veracruz |
| Died | 17 September 1852 (aged 55) Mexico City |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Refugio Almanza |
Francisco Javier Echeverría (born around July 2, 1797 – died September 17, 1852) was a Mexican businessman and a government finance expert. He served as a temporary president of Mexico for about two weeks in September 1841. This happened during a time when the government of Anastasio Bustamante was facing big challenges.
During this period, important leaders like Santa Anna and Mariano Paredes started a rebellion against the government. President Bustamante decided to leave Echeverría in charge of the country. Echeverría was the vice president of the council of state. Bustamante then went to lead the army himself, but his efforts did not succeed. The government eventually gave up on October 6. Echeverría later returned to politics as a congressman in 1850.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Francisco Javier Echeverría was born into a rich family in Xalapa, a city in Veracruz. When he was young, people sometimes called him "la naríz," which means "the nose."
He worked in his family's business until 1829. That year, he decided to enter the world of politics. He was chosen to be a deputy, or representative, in the local government assembly in 1829. In 1834, he moved to Mexico City. There, he took charge of his family's main business, called Viuda de Echeverría e Hijos.
Echeverría's Political Journey
Serving as Finance Minister
Because Echeverría held conservative views, he was asked to join the government in May 1834. He became part of the Ministry of Finance under the new conservative leader, Santa Anna. However, Echeverría did not agree with Santa Anna on how the country should be run. Santa Anna supported a federal system, where states have more power. Echeverría believed a central government would manage money better. He thought that having one main agency would make the nation's finances more efficient. Because of this disagreement, he left the government in September.
In 1836, when Anastasio Bustamante was president, Echeverría was called to join the council of state. He was given many important jobs related to money and the country's finances. After the Pastry War in 1838, he joined the finance ministry again. This was a very difficult time for Mexico's money. The French had blocked all the ports, which meant no goods could come in or out easily. This stopped the government from collecting taxes on imports and exports.
More than half of the government's money had to be used to pay off old debts. Echeverría worked to increase taxes. By the time he left his job in March 1841, the government was collecting more money. However, some people said these new taxes made it easier for people to cheat and also made life harder for the economy. Despite these challenges, he managed to pay off five million pesos of the country's internal debt. One of his last actions was to create a tax on land.
His Short Time as President
Echeverría did not achieve many big things during his very short time as president. He was in charge during a rebellion that he could not stop or even make less severe. Former President Bustamante tried one last plan to divide his opponents. He announced his support for the federal system, hoping to split the rebels. This plan did not work. It also disappointed Echeverría, who strongly believed in a central government. Because of this, he resigned from his temporary presidency. The rebels won, and President Bustamante officially gave up power through an agreement called the Estanzuela Accords on October 6, 1841.
Later Years and Contributions
In 1850, Echeverría was elected to Congress. There, he continued to support his conservative ideas for Mexico. He was also a member of many groups that helped people in need. He became the president of the Academy of San Carlos, an important art school. He saved the academy from financial trouble, and it grew into a well-known institution with teachers from Europe. He also started a special school for young men who needed guidance. Francisco Javier Echeverría passed away on September 17, 1852, at the age of 55.
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