Ignacio de la Carrera facts for kids
Ignacio de la Carrera y Cuevas (born 1747, died 1819) was an important Chilean leader. He was part of the First Government Junta of Chile, which was an early government body. He was also the father of the famous Carrera brothers and their sister Javiera. These children became key leaders in Chile's fight for independence from Spain. Ignacio de la Carrera's family came from the Basque region.
Early Life and Family
Ignacio de la Carrera was born in Santiago in 1747. His parents were Ignacio de la Carrera y Ureta and Javiera de las Cuevas y Pérez de Valenzuela. He received a large amount of money and property from his parents. His father was a successful businessman in mining.
Ignacio married Francisca de Paula Verdugo Fernández de Valdivieso y Herrera. They had four children: Javiera, José Miguel, Juan José, and Luis. All of them later became very important in Chile's fight for freedom.
Public Life and Independence
Ignacio de la Carrera started his military journey in the late 1700s. He joined the local army and later a cavalry group in 1777. Even with his military duties, he kept managing his family's businesses. He was known as one of the richest people in Chile.
Because his family was very well-known and respected, he was chosen for an important role. On September 18, 1810, he became a member of the First Government Junta of Chile. This was a big step into politics for him.
In 1811, he joined the Superior Court of Government. In 1812, he became part of the Provisional Government Junta. These were groups that helped govern Chile during a time of big changes.
Challenges and Later Years
In 1814, Spanish rule returned to Chile. Ignacio de la Carrera was arrested and sent away to the Juan Fernández Islands. He faced a long legal process because of his and his family's part in trying to create an independent government.
He was allowed to return to Chile in 1817. However, he found his family was spread out and facing difficulties. His sons, Juan José and Luis, were executed in Mendoza on April 8, 1818. His other children, Javiera and José Miguel, were still in exile.
The Chilean government even made him pay for the public execution of his sons. This sad event deeply affected him. Ignacio de la Carrera died in Santiago less than a year later.
See also
In Spanish: Ignacio de la Carrera para niños
