José Miguel Carrera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Miguel Carrera
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| President of the First Chilean Governing Council | |
| In office November 16, 1811 – October 2, 1814 |
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| Born | October 15, 1785 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | September 4, 1821 (aged 35) Mendoza, Argentina |
| Spouse | Mercedes Fontecilla |
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José Miguel Carrera Verdugo (October 15, 1785 – September 4, 1821) was a very important Chilean general. He is known as one of the people who helped create an independent Chile. Carrera was a main leader during the Chilean War of Independence, especially in a period called the "Old Republic" (Patria Vieja).
After Spain tried to take back control of Chile, Carrera continued to fight from other countries. He often disagreed with other independence leaders like José de San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins. This led him to live in exile in places like Montevideo. From there, he traveled to Argentina and joined a fight against a group called the Unitarians. Carrera's small army eventually became isolated. He decided to try and cross back into Chile to remove O'Higgins from power. However, Argentine politicians stopped him. He then fought alongside native tribes against southern Argentine provinces. After some victories, his forces were defeated near Mendoza. Carrera was then captured and executed in that city.
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Early Life and Education
José Miguel Carrera was born in Santiago, Chile, on October 15, 1785. His family had roots from the Basque people in Spain. He was the second son of Ignacio de la Carrera y Cuevas and Francisca de Paula Verdugo.
Carrera went to the Convictorio Carolino, which was the best school in Chile at that time. There, he became good friends with Manuel Rodríguez, who would later become a famous guerrilla leader in the Chilean independence movement.
After school, his parents sent him to Spain. In 1808, he joined the Spanish Army. He fought against the forces of Napoleon and became a high-ranking officer. He even commanded a regiment called the Húsares de Galicia.
The "Old Republic" (1810–1814)
When Carrera learned that a new government had been set up in Chile, he returned home. He quickly became involved in politics. His family was one of the most powerful in Chile. On November 15, 1811, the Carrera family led a coup d'état, and José Miguel became the main leader of Chile. His brothers were military commanders.
Carrera had a strong vision for Chile's independence. He wanted Chile to be truly independent and focus on its own national identity. This sometimes caused disagreements with other groups, like the Lautaro Lodge, who wanted to unite all of Latin America, similar to the United States.
During his time in government, Carrera helped create many important Chilean symbols and institutions:
- He wrote the first Chilean Constitution.
- He designed the first Chilean flag and coat of arms.
- He brought the first printing press to Chile, which led to the first newspaper, La Aurora de Chile.
- He declared September 18 as Chile's national Independence Day, a date still celebrated today.
- He ended slavery in Chile.
- He removed special legal rights for the clergy (church officials).
- He founded the first public school in Chile, the Instituto Nacional.
As the Spanish army invaded southern Chile, Carrera became the Commander in Chief of the Chilean forces. He left the government to lead the army. He had a successful campaign and pushed the Spanish out of the city of Concepción.
After a surprise attack at El Roble, where Carrera had to escape by jumping into a river, the government removed him from his command. Bernardo O'Higgins was appointed to lead the army instead. Carrera was captured by the Spanish but managed to escape. He later overthrew the government for a third time.
O'Higgins did not accept Carrera's new government. Their armies even fought each other at the Battle of Tres Acequias, where Carrera's younger brother, Luis Carrera, defeated O'Higgins. While this was happening, the Spanish army advanced towards Santiago. Carrera and O'Higgins decided to unite their forces. Carrera wanted to fight the Spanish at Angostura del Paine, a narrow pass that was easy to defend. O'Higgins, however, decided to make a stand at the town of Rancagua. This decision led to the Disaster of Rancagua on October 1–2, 1814, where the Chilean forces were defeated by the Spanish.
Exile in Argentina and the United States
After the defeat at Rancagua, many Chilean patriots fled to Mendoza, Argentina. This city was governed by José de San Martín, who was part of the Lautaro Lodge. San Martín welcomed O'Higgins and his allies. However, José Miguel Carrera and his brothers were arrested and sent to Buenos Aires.
In Buenos Aires, Carrera found a friend in Carlos María de Alvear, who had just become a national hero in Argentina. But when Alvear was removed from power, Carrera was forced to leave Buenos Aires and travel to the United States.
In the United States, Carrera managed to get four ships with American crews to help with Chile's independence. He got these ships on credit, thanks to his strong personality and the help of Commodore David Porter.
However, when he arrived back in Buenos Aires with his fleet, the Argentine government, which supported San Martín, took his ships and put Carrera in prison. While he was in prison, San Martín organized an army in Mendoza. This army later crossed the Andes mountains and defeated the Spanish at the Battle of Chacabuco on February 12, 1817.
Carrera managed to escape from prison with help from the United States' envoy, Joel Roberts Poinsett. He found safety in Montevideo. While he was there, his brothers, Juan José and Luís, were plotting against O'Higgins. They were arrested in Mendoza and executed. This made José Miguel Carrera openly oppose both San Martín and O'Higgins.
Later, José Miguel Carrera became a key supporter of the federalist side in the Argentine Civil War. He fought against the Unitarian government. Carrera and the federalist forces defeated the government and entered Buenos Aires. They signed the Treaty of Pilar on February 23, 1820, which helped establish Argentina's federal system.
After this treaty, Carrera received money and troops. He began marching towards Chile. One of his allies was the Ranquel tribe. However, he was stopped in Mendoza and taken prisoner.
Trial and Execution
José Miguel Carrera was put on trial by his enemies. He was executed by a firing squad on September 4, 1821.
A Skilled Warrior
Carrera began his military career in Chile at a young age. When he was 22, in 1808, he joined the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. He fought in many battles between 1808 and 1810. In Europe, Carrera became an expert cavalry officer and a captain in the hussar regiment. He also commanded the Húsares de Galicia. He was recognized for his bravery in the Battle of Talavera and was wounded in the Battle of Ocana. In total, he fought in about 20 battles in Europe.
When he returned to Chile, he led his men in about 10 battles against the Spanish Army. Later, after his trip to the United States, he tried to return to Chile from Argentina. He and his men fought the Argentines in a series of difficult battles. One notable fight was the Battle of Rio Cuarto. Overall, Carrera participated in combat around 40 times in his life.
Carrera's Lasting Impact
Today, José Miguel Carrera is seen as one of Chile's "Fathers of the Nation" (Padres de la Patria). There is still some debate between people who support O'Higgins and those who support Carrera. Many "Carreristas" believe he doesn't get enough credit compared to O'Higgins.
Besides ending slavery in Chile, Carrera also removed special rights and privileges for the noble families. He started the first free newspaper in the country, La Aurora de Chile. He also created the first national flag and national seal. He founded the first free public school, which is now known as the Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera. Many Chilean presidents and politicians have studied there.
In the southern Patagonia region of Chile, there is a large lake named General Carrera Lake in his honor.
Carrera's children married into important Chilean families. Their descendants, who number in the hundreds, are a significant part of Chile's upper classes today.
Some of his famous descendants include:
- Ignacio Carrera Pinto, his grandson, who was a hero in the War of the Pacific.
- Federico Santa María, a wealthy businessman who used his money to build the Federico Santa María Technical University, a top engineering school in Chile.
See also
In Spanish: José Miguel Carrera para niños
- Anti-Chilean sentiment
- History of Chile
- Government Junta of Chile (November 1811)
- Aurora de Chile
- Carrera family
- Manuel Rodríguez
- September 1811 Chilean coup d'etat
