Government Junta of Bolivia (1861) facts for kids

José María de Achá, a member of the junta, was elected president by the National Constituent Assembly

The Government Junta of Bolivia was a special group of leaders who ruled Bolivia for a short time in 1861. This group was made up of both military and civilian people. It had three main leaders, called a triumvirate: José María de Achá, Manuel Antonio Sánchez, and Ruperto Fernández. They took control after a sudden change in government, called a coup d'état, on January 14, 1861. They removed the president they used to work for, José María Linares. The junta's rule ended on May 4, 1861, when a new assembly chose Achá to be the temporary president.

How the Government Junta Started

The 1861 Coup d'État

On January 14, 1861, two important government ministers, Ruperto Fernández and José María de Achá, teamed up with Manuel Antonio Sánchez, who was a local leader in La Paz. They rebelled against President José María Linares. This sudden takeover of power is known as a coup d'état.

The new leaders, forming the junta, explained their actions to the country. They said it was a "regenerative revolution." They claimed it was needed to fix problems caused by President Linares's rule, which they called a dictatorship.

Creating a New Government

Right after taking power, on January 15, 1861, the junta called for a special meeting. This meeting was for a "constituent assembly." The assembly's main jobs were to:

• Write a new constitution for Bolivia. This would be the seventh constitution in the country's history.
• Choose a temporary president from the three leaders of the junta.

Elections for this assembly were held in a fair way. People from many different backgrounds were elected. When the assembly officially began on May 1, the junta gave its power to the assembly. Adolfo Ballivián led this new assembly. On the same day, the assembly asked the junta to keep leading for a little longer. This was until they could decide who would be the new temporary president.

Choosing a New Leader

One of the junta members, Manuel Antonio Sánchez, had passed away in April. So, the assembly had to choose between Achá and Fernández. The fact that Fernández was from Argentina was considered. The assembly decided to declare him a Bolivian citizen.

However, on May 4, the assembly voted for Achá. He became the temporary president with 860 votes, while Fernández received 16 votes.

Who Was Part of the Junta?

The Government Junta was led by three main people. They also had ministers who helped run different parts of the government.

Quick facts for kids Cabinet of the Governmental Junta Junta-Achá Cabinet
25th Cabinet of the Bolivian Republic
1861
Date formed	21 January 1861
Date dissolved	4 May 1861 (3 months, 1 week and 6 days)
People and organisations
Chairman	José María de Achá Ruperto Fernández Manuel Antonio Sánchez
No. of ministers	5
History
Election(s)	1861 legislative
Legislature term(s)	1861–1862 Constituent National Assembly
Predecessor	Cabinet of José María Linares
Successor	Cabinet of José María de Achá

See also

In Spanish: Junta Gubernativa de 1861 para niños