Juan Manuel Rodríguez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Manuel Rodríguez
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| Heads of state of El Salvador | |
| In office 22 April 1824 – 1 October 1824 |
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| Preceded by | Mariano Prado |
| Succeeded by | Mariano Prado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 December 1771 San Salvador, El Salvador |
| Died | 1847 (aged 75–76) Cojutepeque, El Salvador |
| Political party | Independent |
| Profession | Military |
Juan Manuel Rodríguez (born December 31, 1771 – died 1847) was an important leader from El Salvador. He fought against Spanish rule. Later, he became the president (or "chief of state") of El Salvador for a short time in 1824. El Salvador was then part of a larger group of countries called the Federal Republic of Central America.
Juan Manuel Rodríguez was born in San Salvador. His father was from Panama and his mother was from El Salvador.
Early Life and Fight for Freedom
Juan Manuel Rodríguez was a key leader in the movements for independence in 1811 and 1814. He worked alongside other heroes like Father José Matías Delgado and Manuel José Arce.
In November 1811, he served as secretary for a special group. This group acted as the first independent government for the region. In 1814, people voted for him to become the mayor of San Salvador. As mayor, he supported a big uprising on January 24, 1814. Because of this, he was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison. However, he was set free in 1819.
In November 1821, he joined the governing body of El Salvador. The next January, he signed a document that separated El Salvador from the old Kingdom of Guatemala. This was done to avoid joining the Mexican Empire, which Guatemala had agreed to do. He was sent to Washington, D.C., with other leaders to ask if El Salvador could join the United States. But the Mexican Empire fell in 1823, and Central America became independent. This ended the plan to join the U.S.
Leading El Salvador
On April 22, 1824, a special assembly chose Rodríguez to be the chief of state (leader) of El Salvador. The very next day, he made sure that slavery was officially ended in the state. This decision had actually been made on December 31, 1823.
His government also decided to create the Diocese of San Salvador. This is a special area for the church. Father José Matías Delgado, who was a hero of the independence movement, became the first bishop there.
In May 1824, the National Assembly of El Salvador ordered that the new constitution be published and followed. Rodríguez also set up the Supreme Court of Justice. He then called for elections for the next chief of state. Juan Vicente Villacorta Díaz won these elections, with Mariano Prado as his vice-chief. On October 1, 1824, Rodríguez handed over his power to Prado. Villacorta then took office on December 13, 1824.
During Rodríguez's time as leader, the first official printing press in El Salvador began working in June 1824. This press printed the state's first newspaper, called El Semanario Político Mercantil. The first issue came out on July 31, 1824.
Later Years
After his time as chief of state, Juan Manuel Rodríguez continued to support a political group called the fiebres. He also worked as the treasury secretary. Later, he retired from public life. He spent his final years at his farm, "San Jerónimo," near Cojutepeque. He joined the Franciscan religious order and did many good works for charity. He passed away from colera (a serious illness) at his farm in 1847.
