José de Ezpeleta y Galdeano facts for kids
José Manuel de Ezpeleta y Galdeano (1739–1823) was an important Spanish leader. He was a military officer and a politician. He served as the governor of Cuba from 1785 to 1789. Later, he became the viceroy of New Granada (which is now mostly Colombia) from 1789 to 1797.
Ezpeleta was a respected knight in several important Spanish orders. He was also a high-ranking officer in the royal army.
On December 1, 1785, he started his job as the Spanish governor of Cuba. He stayed in this role for four years. In 1789, he was given an even bigger job: viceroy of New Granada.
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Ezpeleta: Viceroy of New Granada
During Ezpeleta's time as viceroy, many new things happened in New Granada.
Birth of Journalism
Journalism, which is the business of writing and publishing news, began in New Granada. Manuel del Socorro Rodríguez was the first director of a newspaper called Papel Periódico in Bogotá. This newspaper published 265 issues.
Supporting Arts and Ideas
Ezpeleta also helped the arts. He founded the very first theater in Bogotá. He supported groups where people discussed books and ideas. Some of these people later became important leaders in the fight for independence. In 1794, Antonio Nariño published a Spanish version of the Rights of Man. This was a very important document about human rights.
Mining and Missions
Like leaders before him, Ezpeleta tried to improve the mining industry in Mariquita. However, he found that it cost more money to run the mines than they produced. He also supported Catholic missions. These missions helped to make peace with Indigenous groups who had not accepted Spanish rule, especially the Andaqui people.
Ezpeleta's Return to Spain
After his time in New Granada, Ezpeleta returned to Spain.
Facing the French Army
In 1807, he was made the Captain General of Catalonia. This was a high military position. But when he arrived in Barcelona, French troops led by Guillaume Philibert Duhesme were already surrounding the city. After the French took control, Ezpeleta refused to promise loyalty to José Bonaparte, who was the French ruler of Spain at the time. Because of this, he was arrested and sent away to Montpellier, France. He stayed there until 1814.
After returning to Spain, Ezpeleta became the Viceroy of Navarre. He faced challenges trying to bring back the old ways of government. He also dealt with a small uprising led by Francisco Espoz y Mina. In 1820, a major change happened in Spain called the Spanish liberal revolution. This forced him to leave his position, and Espoz y Mina took his place.
Ezpeleta then lived in Valladolid. In 1823, when the old system of government was restored, he was asked to return as Viceroy of Navarre. He went back to Pamplona in July. However, he was 83 years old and passed away a few months later.
See also
In Spanish: José Manuel de Ezpeleta para niños
