Lorenzo de Zavala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorenzo de Zavala
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| Vice President of the Republic of Texas Interim |
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| In office 16 March 1836 – 22 October 1836 |
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| Governor of the State of Mexico | |
| In office 15 August 1831 – 1 December 1832 |
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| In office 8 March 1826 – 19 April 1826 |
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| Succeeded by | Mariano Esteva y Ulibarri |
| Secretary of Finance of the United Mexican States |
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| In office 18 April 1829 – 2 November 1829 |
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| President | Francisco Moctezuma |
| Succeeded by | José María Bocanegra |
| Representative for Yucatán in the Congress of Deputies of Spain | |
| In office 1820–1822 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1788 Tecoh, Yucatán, Viceroyalty of New Spain |
| Died | November 15, 1836 (aged 48) Channelview, Republic of Texas |
Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sanchez (October 3, 1788 - November 15, 1836), known simply as Lorenzo de Zavala, was an important figure in both Mexican and Texas history. He was a doctor, politician, diplomat, and writer. Born in Yucatán when Mexico was still under Spanish rule, he played a key role in creating the first constitution for Mexico in 1824, after Mexico gained independence from Spain.
Years later, he also helped write the constitution for the Republic of Texas in 1836. Texas was rebelling against Mexico at the time. Zavala was known for being very smart and could speak many languages. He strongly believed in democratic government, where people choose their leaders.
As a young man, Zavala started several newspapers and wrote a lot about democratic ideas. These writings led to him being put in prison by the Spanish government. While in prison, he learned English and studied medicine. After he was released, he worked as a doctor for two years before going into politics.
During his career, he held many important jobs. He served in the Spanish legislature in Madrid, representing Yucatán. He was also a senator in Mexico. He became Mexico's Minister of Finance and served as Ambassador to France. He was also the Governor of the State of Mexico. In 1829, a group of conservatives took power, and Zavala had to leave Mexico. He lived in the United States for two years. During this time, he wrote a book about American politics and traveled in Europe. Because of his experience and language skills, other countries welcomed him.
In 1832, a new group of liberals came to power in Mexico. Zavala returned and was made Minister to France again. While in Paris, he saw that Mexico's president, Santa Anna, was becoming a dictator. Santa Anna was changing the Mexican Constitution that Zavala had helped write. Zavala resigned his job to protest this. He could not go back to Mexico safely, so he went to Texas. Texas, like other Mexican regions, was rebelling against Santa Anna's centralist government. Zavala eventually supported Texas independence. He helped write the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, designed its flag, and became its first vice president.
Zavala's place in history is still debated in Mexico. Historians recognize his important political and intellectual work. But they often call him a traitor for helping Texas break away from Mexico. In Texas, however, he is seen as a founding father and a state hero. Many places in Texas are named after him, including a county and a city.
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Early Life and Education
Zavala was born on October 3, 1788, in Tecoh, Yucatán. His parents were criollos, meaning they were of Spanish descent but born in Mexico. His family had lived in Yucatán for three generations. His grandfather had moved to Yucatán from Peru. Zavala's father, born in 1725, worked as a notary, which is like a legal assistant in Spanish-speaking countries.
Zavala went to school in Mérida, the capital of Yucatán. He studied subjects like Latin, morals, and philosophy. After finishing school, he started a newspaper called The Universal Critic. He also wrote for other newspapers, sharing his ideas about democracy. These ideas became very important in his political career.
His writings were critical of the Spanish officials. Because of this, he was put in prison for three years when he was 26 years old (1814-1817). While in prison, Zavala learned English. He also studied medical books so well that he could practice medicine after he was released. He worked as a doctor for two years. Then, political events led him back into politics.
Career Highlights
Zavala started his political career as the secretary for the local government in Yucatán. This job led to him being elected to the Cortes (legislature) in Madrid, Spain. He represented Yucatán as its governor. After Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, Zavala left his job in Madrid. He returned to Mexico and was elected to the new national congress, again representing Yucatán.
Zavala became part of a group that wrote the constitution for the Federal Republic of Mexico. In 1824, he was chosen as the President of the group that created the constitution. He was the first person to sign the Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824. He also served in the Mexican Senate from 1824 to 1826. In 1829, he was made Minister of Finance. However, he only served for six months before the government was overthrown. Zavala was put under house arrest, but he managed to escape to the United States. This was a time of self-imposed exile for him.
Time in Exile
During his time away from Mexico, Zavala continued his studies. He wrote a book called Journey to the United States of North America. This book was similar to Alexis de Tocqueville's famous work, Democracy in America, but Zavala's book came out a year earlier. Zavala traveled in the northeastern U.S. and wrote about American politics and culture from a Mexican point of view. The book mostly praised the U.S. system. However, it also pointed out that the U.S. allowed slavery, which seemed to go against its ideals of freedom.
He also wrote a two-volume history of Mexico called Historical essay of the Revolutions of Mexico from 1808 to 1830. He lived in New York but also spent several months in England and France. Zavala was very popular abroad because he was smart and could speak Spanish, English, and French. He became a member of the Geographical and Scientific Society of France. He was also welcomed by the Court of St. James's in England.
Opposing President Santa Anna
Zavala's exile ended in 1832. He returned to Mexico and became the governor of the State of México. This state is just west of Mexico City and is one of Mexico's 32 states. He was then appointed as Minister to France by the president, Antonio López de Santa Anna.
While working in Paris, Zavala realized that President Santa Anna was gaining too much power. Santa Anna, supported by the military and religious leaders, was acting like a dictator. He was not following the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which Zavala had helped create. In protest, Zavala resigned his job in France. He spoke out against Santa Anna. Santa Anna then ordered Zavala to return to Mexico City. For his own safety, Zavala moved his family to Texas, where he owned land.
Moving to Texas
Zavala arrived in Texas in 1835 by steamboat. He briefly lived with his good friend Stephen F. Austin, who is known as "the Father of Texas." The only other Texan he knew before arriving was David G. Burnet, who later became the temporary President of Texas. Zavala had known Burnet in New York.
Both men had received Empresario Grants from the Mexican government years before. These grants were meant to encourage new settlers to come to Texas. The idea was to create a buffer zone between Mexico and the U.S. and to help deal with Native American tribes in the area. An empresario was given large areas of Texas land. In return, they had to recruit a certain number of new settlers. Zavala's grant was for 500 families. Zavala and Burnet had sold their grants to investors in New York.
The previous summer, Zavala had bought a home on 177 acres of land north of Buffalo Bayou in Harris County. This area was called Zavala Point. Many immigrants from the United States lived in this border area. They were used to democratic government and individual rights. People were angry about Santa Anna's rule, and a rebellion was starting. Santa Anna was upset by what he saw as U.S. interference. He sent troops to stop the rebellion.
At first, Zavala hoped to overthrow the Mexican government and bring back democracy. He wanted Texas to remain one of the Mexican states. But he soon realized this would not happen. He was a practical person and slowly changed his mind. He began to support Texas becoming independent from Mexico. Santa Anna ordered Zavala to be captured and sent away from Texas. But Zavala was never in real danger. He had become a valuable friend to influential Texans who wanted independence. His experience in lawmaking, his language skills, and his diplomatic background made him perfect for writing the new Constitution of the Republic of Texas. He was the only one among them who had actually helped write such a document before.
In March 1836, delegates met in a Texas settlement called "Washington-on-the-Brazos." There, they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Texas. Zavala personally designed the flag of the new republic. He helped write the new constitution and served as vice president under the temporary government. While they were working, the delegates received news that the Alamo was under attack.
After the Alamo fell, Santa Anna's forces quickly advanced on the delegation, forcing them to flee. When Santa Anna's troops came near Zavala's Point, Zavala and his family fled down the San Jacinto River. They went to the home of William Scott, one of the original settlers. Many families waited there for a steamboat to take them to safety on Galveston Island. Nearby, in Harris County, Santa Anna's army faced Texas General Sam Houston's forces on April 21, 1836, at the Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna was defeated and captured.
A few months later, Zavala's health began to fail. He resigned from his job as vice president and went home. Less than a month after he resigned, he was boating in Buffalo Bayou. His rowboat overturned, and he got very cold. Zavala developed pneumonia and died at his home on November 15, 1836. He was buried in a small cemetery plot at his home. His grave was later moved to the San Jacinto Battleground Park.
Personal Life
In 1807, Zavala married Teresa Correa y Corres. They had three children: a son named Lorenzo Jr., a daughter named Manuela, and another daughter who died when she was one year old. Zavala's wife, Teresa, died in the spring of 1831.
Zavala remarried while he was in exile. He married Emily West in New York on November 12, 1831. They had a son, Augustine, and two daughters. Augustine was the father of Adina Emilia de Zavala. Adina played an important role in saving the Alamo as a historic building for future generations.
Freemasons
Zavala and his friends secretly started the first Masonic Lodge in Yucatán. It was called the Reunión a la Virtud lodge No. 9. This group helped Zavala make many political connections before Mexico became independent.
Zavala was also key in establishing the York Rite Masonry in Mexico in 1826. This was an alternative to an older, more established group called the Scottish rite. That same year, a group in New York gave permission for five Masonic Lodges to start in Mexico City. These five lodges became the center of a movement that wanted to spread power out, rather than keep it in one place. Zavala became the leader of Independencia Lodge No. 454. He kept this position until he went into exile in 1830. The Grand Lodge of Texas lists him as a "Masonic Hero."
Legacy
Zavala is still a debated figure in Mexico. Historians generally praise his liberal ideas. However, they often call his support for Texas independence an act of treason. Mexican historian Francisco Bulnes called Zavala a traitor. But he also said that Zavala did not support Texas independence for political or money reasons. Instead, it was his strong opposition to a central government and especially to Santa Anna that made him act. Biographer Francisco Sosa wrote that Zavala stopped being Mexican when he became a representative for Harrisburg. He said that "what he did after [voting for Texan independence] was just a result of that step taken in a moment of blindness caused by political hatred."
The town of Zavala, Texas in Jasper County was named after him in 1834. That town no longer exists. However, there is a village about 20 miles away in Angelina County called Zavalla (spelled differently), which is also named for Lorenzo de Zavala. In 1858, 22 years after Zavala died, the Texas Legislature named Zavala County in his honor. Zavala County is in southern Texas. Its county seat is Crystal City. When the county was named, it was misspelled as "Zavalla." This error was not officially corrected until 71 years later, in 1929.
Today, his name is on many public buildings and schools. This includes the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building in Austin. The National Hispanic Institute named its Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session program after him. This program is now held at five universities in the U.S. and one in Panama.
Texas Historical Commission Sites
In 1936, the Texas Historical Commission recognized Lorenzo de Zavala's 1835 settlement in Harrisburg. They placed a Texas Centennial Marker there. It is made of gray granite with a bronze inscription.
In 1968, the Texas Historical Commission put a historical marker at the De Zavala Elementary School in Southeast Houston. This marker has an inscription about Texas historical sites at the San Jacinto State Historic Landmark.
Namesakes
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Schools Named After Lorenzo de Zavala
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Baytown, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, San Marcos, Texas
- De Zavala Elementary, Channelview, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Crystal City, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Dallas, Texas
- Zavala Elementary School, El Paso, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Fort Worth, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Grand Prairie, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Harlingen Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Houston, Texas (Magnolia Park neighborhood)
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Midland, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, San Antonio, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, Amarillo, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, Irving, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, La Joya, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Environmental Science Academy, Grand Prairie, Texas
- Zavala Elementary School, Austin, Texas
Other Things Named for Lorenzo de Zavala
- Zavala County, Texas
- De Zavala Rd, a main road in San Antonio, Texas
- Lorenzo De Zavala Lodge #1397, Masonic Lodge, Houston, Texas
- City of Zavalla, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas
- Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session, National Hispanic Institute (with programs in San Antonio, Texas; Rochester, New York; San Diego, California; Fort Collins, Colorado; Joliet, Illinois; and Panama City, Panama)
- Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative (A non-profit group that promotes education, art, and culture in Wichita Falls, Texas)
See also
In Spanish: Lorenzo de Zavala para niños
