José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco
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| Consul of Paraguay | |
| In office October 12, 1813 – February 12, 1814 June 12, 1814 – September 20, 1840 |
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| Preceded by | Fulgencio Yegros (1813) Fulgencio Yegros (1814) |
| Succeeded by | Fulgencio Yegros (1814) Manuel Antonio Ortiz (1840) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1766 Yaguarón, Paraguay |
| Died | September 20, 1840 (aged 74) Asunción, Paraguay |
| Political party | Independent |
Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco (born January 6, 1766 – died September 20, 1840) was a Paraguayan lawyer and politician. He became the first leader of Paraguay after it gained independence from Spain. His official title was "Supreme and Perpetual Dictator of Paraguay." People often called him El Supremo, which means "The Supreme One."
He is known as the main political leader who wanted Paraguay to be fully independent. He did not want it to be part of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata or the Empire of Brazil.
Contents
His Early Life and Learning
Francia was born in Yaguarón, a town in what is now Paraguarí, Paraguay. His father was from Brazil and grew tobacco. His mother was Paraguayan, from Spanish families who had settled there. He was christened Joseph Gaspar de Franza y Velasco. Later, he used the name Rodriguez and changed Franza to Francia.
He first studied at a monastery school in Asunción, planning to become a Catholic priest. However, he did not become one. On April 13, 1785, he finished his studies. He earned degrees in theology (the study of religion) and philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence) from the National University of Córdoba in Argentina.
In 1790, Francia taught theology at a seminary in Asunción. But his new ideas made it hard for him to stay as a teacher. He soon left theology to study law. He became a lawyer and learned five languages: Guarani, Spanish, French, Latin, and some English.
During his studies, he was inspired by the Enlightenment. This was a time when people focused on reason and new ideas. He also liked the ideas of the French Revolution. Francia did not like the class system that Spain had set up in Paraguay. As a lawyer, he often defended people who were less fortunate against the rich. He read books by thinkers like Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He had the biggest library in Asunción.
His interest in astronomy and his knowledge of French made some people in Asunción think he was mysterious. Some even thought he could predict the future.
Starting His Political Journey
Francia showed an early interest in politics. In 1807, he became a member of the local council, called a cabildo. In 1808, he became a financial officer. By August 1809, he became the head of the Asunción cabildo. This was the highest position a person of local Spanish descent (a criollo) could reach. He had tried for this position before in 1798 but did not succeed.
When Paraguay declared its independence on May 15, 1811, Francia was chosen to be a secretary. He joined the ruling group, called a junta. On August 1, he resigned because the army had too much power. But he was one of the few educated men in the country. Soon, he became the real leader of Paraguay.
Paraguayans often called him "Dr. Francia" or Karaí Guazú. This means "great lord" in Guaraní. Some people even thought he had special powers. When they saw him measuring stars with his tools, they believed he was talking to spirits. Francia later used these tools to make the streets of Asunción straight.
On October 1, 1813, the Congress named Francia and Fulgencio Yegros as leaders, called consuls, for one year. Francia was in charge for the first and third four-month periods. Each consul controlled half of the army. On October 12, 1813, Paraguay officially declared its independence from the Spanish Empire.
How He Led Paraguay
On October 1, 1814, Congress named Francia as the only consul. He was given full power for three years. He became so powerful that on June 1, 1816, another Congress voted him absolute control over the country for life. For the next 24 years, he led Paraguay with the help of only three other people.
His Daily Life and Habits
Francia took many steps to protect himself. He would lock the palace doors himself. He would unroll the cigars his sister made to check for poison. He also prepared his own yerba mate drink. He slept with a pistol under his pillow. Once, a maid tried to poison him with cake. No one was allowed to come closer than six steps to him. People could not even carry a walking stick near him. When he rode out, all bushes and trees along his path were removed. This was so no one could hide. All window shutters had to be closed, and people had to bow down as he passed.
Francia lived a very simple life. Besides some books and furniture, his only belongings were a tobacco case and a small candy box. When he died, the country's treasury had at least twice as much money as when he started. This included 36,500 pesos of his own salary that he had not spent. This was equal to several years of pay.
His Last Years and Legacy
Francia died on September 20, 1840. He knew he was dying. He destroyed all his papers and refused medical help. He even pushed away a doctor. He was given a state funeral. Later, some old Spanish families removed his body from its grave. They threw it into a river, and his remains were never found.
Francia created a tradition of strong leadership in Paraguay. This type of rule lasted, with some breaks, until 1989. Today, he is still seen as a national hero. There is a museum dedicated to him in Yaguarón. It shows portraits of him and his daughter. It also has his candy box, candlestick, and tobacco case. Paraguayan writer Augusto Roa Bastos wrote a famous novel about Francia's life called Yo el Supremo (I, the Supreme).
Important Dates in His Life
- April 13, 1785: He received his doctor of theology and Master of philosophy degrees.
- 1807: He became a member of the Asunción Cabildo (city council).
- 1808: He became a fiscal officer for the Cabildo.
- August 1809: He became the head of the Asunción Cabildo.
- June 17 – August 1, October 1 – December 15, 1811: He served as Secretary to the National Junta (ruling group).
- November 16, 1812 – October 1, 1813: He was the Foreign Secretary to the National Junta.
- October 1, 1813 – October 1, 1814: He served as the First Consul of the Republic.
- October 1, 1814 – June 1, 1816: He was named Dictator for three years.
- June 1, 1816 – September 20, 1840: He became Paraguay's Supreme and Perpetual Dictator for life.
Images for kids
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Dr. Francia
See also
In Spanish: José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia para niños
