Juan de Salinas y Zenitagoya facts for kids

Juan de Salinas (born November 24, 1755 – died August 2, 1810) was a Spanish military officer who lived during the final years of the Spanish colonial rule in what is now Ecuador. He played a very important part in the movement for independence, becoming the first military leader of the groups who wanted freedom.

Early Life and Military Career (1755-1801)

Juan de Salinas was born in Sangolqui, a town close to Quito, Ecuador's capital, on November 24, 1755. His father, Diego Salinas, was from a region in Spain called Basque Country. He came to the Americas as a governor. Juan's mother, Maria de Zenitagoya, came from a rich family in Quito.

Juan first studied philosophy and law at Santo Tomas University in Quito. But he decided to join the military instead. He became an officer in the escort of President Jose Diguja. One of his first missions was to calm down an uprising of indigenous peoples near Otavalo.

Around 1778, after this mission, he was sent on an important journey. He joined Apolinar Diez de la Fuente, who had just opened a new route from Quito to Quijos in the Amazon jungle. Their job was to mark the border with Brazil. They reached the Marañón River in April 1780. However, Salinas became sick and had to return to Pevas.

After getting better, he spent a few years exploring the Amazon jungle. But in 1783, he fell ill again. He was ordered to return to the highlands, where he joined the military group in the Royal Audiencia of Quito. In 1794, he married Maria de la Vega y Nates in Quito. By 1801, he was leading the military forces in Quito. He was well-liked by his soldiers because he was generous and brave.

Road to Independence (1803-1809)

Around 1803, Juan de Salinas went on a mission with his troops to the Isthmus of Panama. When he returned to Quito, he found the city divided. There were two main groups: the capetones, who were Spaniards born in Europe, and the criollos, who were Spaniards born in the Americas. The criollos felt that the European-born Spaniards were always chosen for the best jobs in the government.

Salinas joined the criollo group. They believed in ideas of self-government, meaning they wanted to rule themselves. On December 25, 1808, he attended a secret meeting. This meeting was organized by the Marques de Selva Alegre at his home. At this meeting, the group decided to create a Supreme Junta, which was a special council, to govern the Royal Audiencia of Quito.

Their chance came in August 1809. Napoleon had invaded Spain, which made it seem like a good time to create their own government in Quito. They said they were still loyal to King Ferdinand VII of Spain. But they took power away from the Spanish officials who had been appointed.

The August 10, 1809 Revolt

On the morning of August 10, 1809, Juan de Salinas went to the military barracks he commanded. He convinced his soldiers that it was their duty to fight against the French taking over Spain. He led three groups of soldiers into the streets. This started the revolt and helped them take control of the capital city.

The new government, the Junta, made Salinas a colonel. The Marques de Selva Alegre was given overall command of the government and the small army. However, this group was not well organized or well equipped. The noble leaders were not fully comfortable with how radical the revolt had become. They had hoped for better treatment from Spain, not a complete break from the mother country.

Imprisonment and Legacy (1809-1810)

It took the royal forces less than two months to organize a plan to take back control. On October 13, the Marques de Selva Alegre resigned from the Junta. His relative, the Count of Selva Florida, took his place. He began talking with the Spanish representative, the Count Ruiz de Castilla, who had been removed from power.

The viceroy of Peru sent troops led by Manuel de Arredondo. They arrived in Quito on November 24 and quickly took over the city. Ruiz de Castilla was put back in charge. Juan de Salinas was arrested on December 4. He was taken to the military barracks and accused of treason.

Salinas spent the next eight months in military dungeons with other people accused of being part of the "conspiracy." His wife and daughters were held under house arrest. But they arranged for a group of patriots to try and free him.

On August 2, 1810, while people in Quito were trying to save the prisoners, the imprisoned men were killed by the troops in their cells. Salinas's wife and daughters were almost executed in the central plaza. But the nuns from the Convent of Concepcion stepped in and gave them a safe place to stay.

Salinas's youngest daughter, Maria del Carmen, was born while he was in prison. She later married Manuel de Ascásubi, who also helped in the independence movement and the creation of the new nation of Ecuador. Salinas's family was treated badly, and their property was taken away. This continued until the War of Independence ended. After the war, the victorious Marshall Antonio José de Sucre returned everything that had been taken from Salinas's heirs.

Juan de Salinas is remembered as the first military leader in what is now Ecuador. He is also seen as one of the first heroes who died for the Wars of Independence.

See also

In Spanish: Juan de Salinas y Zenitagoya para niños