José de la Riva Agüero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José de la Riva Agüero
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| 1st President of Peru | |
In office
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| Succeeded by | José Bernardo de Tagle |
| 2nd President of North Peru | |
In office
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| Preceded by | Luis José de Orbegoso |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 May 1783 Lima, Peru |
| Died | 21 May 1858 (aged 75) Lima, Peru |
José de la Riva Agüero (born May 3, 1783 – died May 21, 1858) was an important Peruvian soldier, politician, and historian. He is known for being the very first President of Peru. He also served as the second President of North Peru.
Riva Agüero strongly believed that Peru should gain its independence from Spain through its own efforts. He tried to achieve this with a plan called the "Segunda Campaña de Intermedios," but it didn't work out.
He had disagreements with the Peruvian Congress. When Simón Bolívar arrived in Peru, Riva Agüero's time as president ended. He was sent away, first to Guayaquil and then to Europe. He returned to South America in 1828, living in Chile before coming back to Peru in 1833.
In Peru, he became a representative in a special meeting and was given the high military rank of Grand Marshal. He supported President Luis José de Orbegoso and later became a special representative in Chile. He also led the North Peruvian State during the Peru–Bolivian Confederation. After this group broke apart, he moved to Ecuador in 1843.
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Early Life and Path to Leadership
José de la Riva Agüero was born in Lima, Peru. His father was a Spanish nobleman, and his mother was a criolla (a person of Spanish descent born in the Americas). He inherited the title of Marquess of Montealegre de Aulestia from his mother's family.
He spent his childhood and teenage years in Spain. There, he received his education and later fought in wars against the French invasion led by Napoleon. He even received an award called "La Orden of Carlos III" in 1807. In 1808, he joined the Spanish army to fight the French.
During his military service, he was recognized for his bravery. He saved ten fellow soldiers during a difficult mission. In 1809, he returned to Lima. He quickly became involved in the movement to make Peru independent from Spain.
In 1822, José de San Martín, a key leader in South American independence, made Riva Agüero the prefect (a high-ranking official) of Lima. After San Martín left Peru, the country faced some challenges. A military leader named Andrés de Santa Cruz led a revolt in February 1823. He made the Peruvian Congress choose Riva Agüero as president. Riva Agüero then declared himself "President of Peru," becoming the first person to hold this title.
During his short time as president, Spanish troops entered the capital city. The government had to move to the port of Callao. Because of this, Riva Agüero lost the support of the Peruvian Congress. The Congress was eagerly waiting for Simón Bolívar to arrive and help secure Peru's independence.
Riva Agüero was later removed from power by Antonio José de Sucre. Sucre was then replaced by José Bernardo de Torre Tagle until Bolívar arrived. The Congress wanted Bolívar, a famous leader from Venezuela, to come to Peru and help finish the fight for independence. They were ready to give him a lot of power.
Riva Agüero worried about losing his leadership. He tried to make a deal with the Spanish leader, the Viceroy, to prevent Bolívar's arrival. However, he was arrested and accused of being a traitor. He was then sent away to Chile.
While in Chile, he wrote an important book called Memorias y documentos para la Historia de la Independencia del Perú. This book is a valuable source for understanding that time in history.
During the short-lived Peru-Bolivian Confederation, Riva Agüero supported Mariscal Andrés de Santa Cruz. He became the president of the Republic of North Peru in 1838. After this political group ended, he left public life until his death in 1858.
Working for Independence in Lima
While Riva Agüero was in Spain, he joined a secret group of Americans who wanted independence for their home countries. He returned to Peru in 1810, traveling through Buenos Aires. He was determined to support the independence movement.
During his journey, he had to avoid being caught by authorities. He was briefly arrested in Montevideo. In Buenos Aires, he had to sneak away because he found out they planned to send him back to Spain. Something similar happened in Mendoza.
Once he was settled in Lima, he joined various groups of "patriots" (people who supported independence). He kept in touch with patriots in Chile and Buenos Aires. He even ran a secret meeting place in Lima from his home. The authorities watched these groups closely and sometimes arrested people. However, Riva Agüero was saved by his powerful friends and family.
In 1816, he wrote a book called Manifestación histórica y política de la revolución de América. It was published without his name in Buenos Aires in 1818. In this book, he listed 20 reasons why people should fight against the Spanish colonial government.
Connecting with San Martín
Riva Agüero had many important contacts with José de San Martín. San Martín had helped Chile gain independence and planned to come to Peru next. Riva Agüero sent San Martín valuable information about the Spanish army's strength. He also helped San Martín plan how his army, the Army of the Andes, should attack Peru. Because of all his help, Riva Agüero played a key role in freeing Spanish America.
In April 1819, a messenger from San Martín was caught with letters meant for Riva Agüero and other Lima patriots. The Spanish leader, Viceroy Joaquín de la Pezuela, ordered Riva Agüero to be confined (kept in one place) in Tarma. The Viceroy also planned to send him to Spain. But a legal appeal and the arrival of San Martín's Freedom Expedition stopped this plan.
Even during this difficult time, Riva Agüero continued to work for independence. He convinced many Spanish officers to leave the royal army and join the patriots. He was also one of the people who helped the famous Numancia Battalion switch sides to the patriot cause. He also encouraged the creation of guerrilla groups to block roads leading to Lima. He even helped create disagreements among the Spanish generals and secretly placed double agents within the royal army.
Images for kids
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José de la Riva Agüero.
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Cover page of Manifestación histórica y política de la revolución de América.
See also
In Spanish: José de la Riva-Agüero para niños
