Lucas Alamán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucas Alamán
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1860s copy by Alamán's son Pascual of a portrait depicting him in his younger years, currently in the Museo Nacional de Historia.
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| Minister of Interior and Exterior Relations of Mexico | |
| In office April 20, 1853 – June 2, 1853 |
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| President | Antonio López de Santa Anna |
| Preceded by | José Miguel Arroyo |
| Succeeded by | José Miguel Arroyo |
| In office January 12, 1830 – May 20, 1832 |
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| President | Anastasio Bustamante |
| Preceded by | Manuel Ortiz de la Torre |
| Succeeded by | José María Ortiz Monasterio |
| In office January 12, 1825 – September 26, 1825 |
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| President | Guadalupe Victoria |
| Preceded by | Juan Guzmán |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Gómez Pedraza |
| In office May 15, 1824 – September 21, 1824 |
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| Preceded by | Pablo de La Llave |
| Succeeded by | Juan Guzmán |
| In office April 16, 1823 – April 23, 1824 |
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| Preceded by | José Ignacio García Illueca |
| Succeeded by | Pablo de La Llave |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 18, 1792 Guanajuato, New Spain |
| Died | June 2, 1853 (aged 60) Mexico City, Mexico |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Mines |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, historian, politician, scientist, writer |
| Signature |  |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Botany |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | Alamán |
Lucas Ignacio Alamán y Escalada (born October 18, 1792, in Guanajuato, New Spain – died June 2, 1853, in Mexico City, Mexico) was an important Mexican scientist, historian, and writer. He was also a leading conservative politician. This means he believed in strong government control and traditional values.
Lucas Alamán came from a wealthy family in Guanajuato. He traveled a lot and received an excellent education. He saw the start of the Mexican War of Independence firsthand. He witnessed the attack on Guanajuato City by the troops of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. This event helped shape his strong conservative beliefs.
Many people consider him the founder of the Conservative Party in Mexico. He believed in a strong central government. He thought this government should work closely with the army, the Catholic Church, and wealthy landowners. Historian Charles A. Hale called Alamán a major political and intellectual figure in independent Mexico. He was a key leader in several governments and helped develop Mexico's economy.
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Early Life and Education
Lucas Alamán was born into a rich family in Guanajuato City on October 18, 1792. His father, Juan Vicente Alamán, was from Spain and made a lot of money in mining. His mother, Maria Ignacia Escalada, came from a respected Mexican-born Spanish family. She held an important family title.
Lucas started school at a young age. He learned to read and write at the Bethlehem School. Later, he studied Latin and mathematics. His father also began teaching him about the mining business. In 1808, when he was sixteen, Lucas visited Mexico City. There, he learned French and continued his studies in Guanajuato. He read classic Latin books and studied music and drawing. Although his family was very wealthy, mining could be risky. His father eventually lost money and passed away when Lucas was sixteen.
Witnessing the Mexican War of Independence
Around this time, Lucas Alamán saw major historical events unfold. In 1808, the Spanish king, Ferdinand VII, was removed from power by Napoleon. This caused a big crisis across the Spanish Empire. Most people did not accept the new king. The government in New Spain (Mexico) stayed loyal to Ferdinand.
However, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla started an uprising against Spanish rule on September 16, 1810. This date is now celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. Alamán witnessed the attack on Guanajuato during the early stages of the war. Hidalgo's troops attacked the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a public granary where many people had sought safety. Alamán and his family fled to Mexico City in December 1810.
In Mexico City, he continued his studies in mining. He learned about chemistry, minerals, and calculus. Talking with his well-traveled teachers made him want to visit Europe. He hoped to improve his French and learn Italian and English.
Travels and Studies in Europe
Lucas Alamán left for Europe in January 1814. He first went to Spain, visiting Madrid and the Royal Palace of El Escorial. Then he traveled to Paris, France, where he met important scholars. He continued his studies in Paris, learning about science and even starting to learn German.
Alamán was in Paris when Napoleon returned from exile during the Hundred Days. He then traveled to Great Britain before returning to France. Next, he visited Italy, seeing famous battlefields and cities like Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome. He also went to Switzerland and Germany, where he studied mining. By 1818, he returned to France.
Becoming a Delegate
While in Europe, Alamán learned that one of his family's businesses had failed. He wanted to use his knowledge to help. He aimed to bring a new technique to Mexico for separating silver and gold using sulfuric acid. This was a more modern method than the old one. He went to Madrid and got permission from the Spanish government to do this.
Alamán returned to Mexico in February 1820. At this time, Spain's Constitution of 1812 allowed its colonies to send representatives to the Spanish Cortes (parliament). Alamán was chosen as one of the Mexican deputies from Guanajuato. He left for Spain just as Agustin de Iturbide's Plan of Iguala was gaining support. This plan eventually led to Mexico's independence in September 1821.
In Spain, Alamán defended the mining interests of his district. He also worked with other deputies to ask the Spanish Cortes for a more independent government in New Spain. After the legislative session, Alamán turned down a job in the Spanish government and returned to Mexico.
First Mexican Republic
When Alamán returned, he managed his family's mining businesses. He saw the end of the First Mexican Empire and the start of a temporary government called the Supreme Executive Power. Because of his experience in the Spanish Cortes, this new government made Alamán the Minister of the Interior and Exterior.
In this role, Alamán created a national archive and a national museum. He provided money to the struggling San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts. He also saved the Equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain from being destroyed. This statue can still be seen in Mexico City today. Alamán also secretly hid the remains of Hernán Cortés to protect them from anti-Spanish anger after independence. He successfully brought British money to Mexico to help its economy.
Alamán was part of a group of conservatives who removed General Vicente Guerrero from the presidency in 1829. Guerrero had come to power through a coup (a sudden takeover of government). Alamán was a key figure in the group that briefly governed Mexico in 1829. Their goal was to install the conservative Anastasio Bustamante as president.
Guerrero was captured in January 1831 by a ship captain who was paid for the deed. He was quickly tried and executed a month later. Alamán believed that Guerrero's execution saved Mexico from falling apart. However, many Mexicans saw Guerrero as a hero. Some newspapers called his execution "judicial murder." Alamán and another cabinet member were often blamed for Guerrero's death. Alamán later wrote a defense of his actions.
Alamán served again as Minister of Interior and Exterior Relations from 1830 to 1832 under President Bustamante. During this time, he appointed Manuel Victoria as the Governor of Alta California in 1830. In October 1830, he created the Banco Nacional de Avío, which was Mexico's first bank. This bank helped provide money for the country's growing economy. Through this bank, Alamán's plans to improve the textile industry succeeded, especially in Puebla and Veracruz.
Centralist Republic of Mexico
After the Texas independence from Mexico in 1836, which he saw as a disaster, Alamán mostly stepped away from politics. However, he continued to work for Mexico's interests. He served as the Director for the Promotion of Industry from 1839 until his death in 1853.
During this time, Alamán also worked with the United States to set the border between the two nations. This border remained until the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). He also encouraged people to settle in Mexico's northern areas. This was to prevent the U.S. from expanding into Mexican territory.
For most of the 1840s, Alamán focused on writing Mexico's history from a conservative point of view. His three-volume work, Disertaciones sobre la Historia de la Republica mexicana (1844–1849), and his five-volume Historia de México (1849–1852), are important historical works. They show a positive view of Spain's influence in Mexico.
Contributions and Final Years
Among his important actions, Alamán created the Natural History Museum in Mexico City. He also founded Mexico's General National Archive. This archive has been very important for understanding Mexico's history and political changes. He also started and ran a mining company. In 1825, he established Mexico's first metal foundry after independence. He also managed the properties of Hernán Cortés's descendants. In 1849, he served as president of the Mexico City ayuntamiento (city council).
Although Alamán was generally against the United States, he was concerned when the U.S. Army left Mexico. He felt they had protected property from "bandits and rebels."
Lucas Alamán and Antonio López de Santa Anna communicated while Santa Anna was in exile. Alamán helped Santa Anna return to power with conservative support. This happened after Santa Anna agreed to protect the Church and the property of wealthy landowners. Alamán returned to public service in March 1853. Santa Anna appointed him Minister of Foreign Relations. Alamán served in this role until he passed away from pneumonia on June 2, 1853.
Published Works
- Canción patriótica en celebridad de los días de nuestro augusto y deseado monarca. Mexico city: Oficina de Ontiveros 1812.
- Defensa del ex-ministro de relaciones D. Lucas Alamán, en la causa formada contra él y contra los ex-ministros de guerra y justicia del vice-presidente D. Anastasio Bustamante, con unas noticias preliminares que dan idea del origen de esta. Escrita por el mismo ex-ministro, que la dirige á la nación. Mexico City: Imprenta de Galván á cargo de M. Arévalo 1834.
- Historia de Méjico. 5 vols. Mexico City 1868–69.
- Memorias, la verdadera historia de esta república desde el año 1808 (1840)
- Liquidación general de la deuda esterior de la República Mexicana hasta fin de diciembre de 1841. Mexico City: Impreso por I. Cumplido, 1845.
- Disertaciones 3 vols. Mexico 1869.
- Documentos diversos. 4 vols. Mexico 1846.
- Ensayo sobre la decadencia de la minería en la Nueva España.
Archival Materials
- Ynsfran, Pablo Max. "Catalogo del Archivo de Don Lucas Alamán que se Conserva en la Universidad de Texas, Austin" Historia Mexicana Vol. 4, No. 2 (Oct. – Dec. 1954), pp. 281–316
Honors
Some plants have been named after Lucas Alamán to honor his work in botany:
- (Orchidaceae) Alamania La Llave & Lex.
- (Asteraceae) Perezia alamani (DC.)Hemsl.
- (Euphorbiaceae) Jatropha alamanii Müll.Arg.
- (Rhamnaceae) Colubrina alamanii G.Don
See also
In Spanish: Lucas Alamán para niños
