Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, 1st Count of Venadito facts for kids
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The Most Excellent
The Count of Venadito
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Ruiz de Apodaca as viceroy of New Spain.
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| 61st Viceroy of New Spain | |
| In office 20 September 1816 – 5 July 1821 |
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| Monarch | Ferdinand VII of Spain |
| Preceded by | Félix María Calleja del Rey |
| Succeeded by | Juan O'Donojú |
| Colonial Governor of Cuba | |
| In office 1812–1816 |
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| Monarch | Ferdinand VII of Spain |
| Preceded by | Salvador José de Muro, 2nd Marquess of Someruelos |
| Succeeded by | José Cienfuegos |
| Member of the House of Peers | |
| In office 24 July 1834 – 11 January 1835 |
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| Personal details | |
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Juan José Ruiz de Apodaca y Eliza Gastón de Iriarte López de Letona y Lasqueti
3 February 1754 Cadiz, Spain |
| Died | 11 January 1835 (aged 80) Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality |  Spanish |
| Signature |  |
Juan José Ruiz de Apodaca y Eliza (born February 3, 1754, in Cadiz, Spain – died January 11, 1835, in Madrid, Spain) was an important Spanish naval officer. He later became the viceroy of New Spain (which is now Mexico) from 1816 to 1821. This was a very important time, as Mexico was fighting for its independence from Spain.
Contents
Juan Ruiz de Apodaca was born in Cádiz, a city in Spain. His family were well-known merchants from the Basque region. He started his career in the navy on November 7, 1767, when he was just 13 years old.
He quickly moved up the ranks. By 1778, he was a naval lieutenant. He sailed all over the world, exploring both the northern and southern parts of the globe. One of his missions took him to Tahiti, where he gathered a lot of information and drew maps of the island and its harbors.
In 1781, he became a frigate captain. He was put in charge of a ship called the Asuncion. Two years later, he was the commander who brought the news of the end of the Anglo-French War to the Philippines. On his way back to Spain, he carried silver and fruit.
When he returned to Cádiz, he helped improve Spanish ships. He suggested using a special copper covering on the bottom of ships to protect them. This idea was approved, and it helped him get promoted to Captain in 1788. He also worked on improving important docks and ports in Spain, like those in Tarragona and Alicante.
Viceroy of New Spain
In 1816, Juan Ruiz de Apodaca was chosen to be the viceroy of New Spain. This was a very difficult time because the Mexican War of Independence was still happening. He took over the job on September 20, 1816.
As the new viceroy, Apodaca tried a different approach. He offered a chance for peace to the rebels. Thousands of people who had been fighting accepted his offer. Only a few rebel leaders, like Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria, continued to fight. Apodaca also made sure that rebel prisoners were not immediately executed, which was a change from earlier harsh rules.
He worked to improve the economy of New Spain. He checked the government's money very carefully. He paid off debts and made sure the government relied on taxes and fees, not just loans. He also tried to help businesses and mining, even though it was hard during the war.
Fighting Francisco Javier Mina
On April 17, 1817, a Spanish liberal named Francisco Javier Mina arrived in Mexico with volunteers. Mina said he was not fighting against Spain itself, but against the unfair rule of King Ferdinand VII. Apodaca sent a strong army to fight Mina. After some battles, Mina was captured and later executed on November 11. Because of this victory, Apodaca was given the special title of Conde de Venadito (Count of Venadito). This made it seem like the rebellion might finally be over.
Foreign Relations and Challenges
Other countries, like the United States and Britain, were interested in trading with the Spanish colonies. Spanish officials learned that some people were planning attacks against New Spain. Apodaca was told to watch the coasts very carefully.
American William Robinson tried to start a new rebellion by taking over some coastal towns. But he was captured and sent to Spain. Later, Spain and the United States signed a treaty in 1819. This treaty set the borders between the United States and New Spain. The U.S. gained Florida and gave up its claim to Texas.
Apodaca also faced problems within Mexico City. He had a fort called La Ciudadela that was used to store weapons. But these weapons were slowly being stolen. He ordered a general named Francisco Novella to stop the thefts. This caused a disagreement between them, and Novella later played a part in removing Apodaca from his position.
The Path to Independence
In 1820, a rebellion in Spain forced King Ferdinand VII to bring back an old constitution from 1812. When this order reached New Spain, Apodaca delayed putting it into effect. Secret talks were happening in a church called La Profesa. On March 7, 1821, a plan was agreed upon for New Spain to become independent. The plan also offered King Ferdinand VII the chance to rule Mexico as an absolute monarch.
To make this plan work, they needed the support of the army. Viceroy Apodaca chose General Agustín de Iturbide to lead the army. Iturbide had been given command of royalist troops in the south of the country.
The Plan of Iguala
General Iturbide, however, had his own ideas. He met with the rebel leader Vicente Guerrero on February 10, 1821. They agreed to declare Mexico's independence together. This agreement was announced on March 2, 1821, in a town called Iguala.
This agreement became known as the Plan de Iguala. It invited Viceroy Ruiz de Apodaca to join the independence movement. But Apodaca refused. He declared Iturbide a traitor. He sent troops to fight Iturbide, but many of these troops instead joined Iturbide's side.
Overthrow and Later Life
On July 5, 1821, some royalist leaders decided that Apodaca was not doing a good job. They removed him from his position as viceroy. Apodaca was sent back to Spain to explain his actions, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing. He continued his naval career and became the captain general of the Spanish navy before he died in 1835.
General Francisco Novella became the temporary viceroy until a new leader, Juan O'Donojú, arrived. Spain's 300-year rule over Mexico was almost at an end.
The city of Apodaca in Monterrey, Mexico, is named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Juan José Ruiz de Apodaca y Eliza para niños
