Manuel Amador Guerrero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Amador
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| 1st President of Panama | |
| In office 20 February 1904 – 1 October 1908 |
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| Deputy | Presidential designates Pablo Arosemena José Domingo de Obaldia Carlos Antonio Mendoza José Domingo de Obaldia Federico Boyd Rafael Aizpuru |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | José Domingo de Obaldía |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Manuel Amador Guerrero
30 June 1833 Turbaco, Colombia |
| Died | 2 May 1909 (aged 75) Panama City, Panama |
| Nationality | Panamanian (Colombian) |
| Political party | Conservative Party |
| Spouse | María Ossa Escobar |
| Signature |  |
Manuel Amador Guerrero (born June 30, 1833 – died May 2, 1909) was a very important person in Panama's history. He became the first president of Panama, serving from February 20, 1904, to October 1, 1908. He was part of the Conservative Party.
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Manuel Amador Guerrero's Early Life
Manuel Amador Guerrero was born on June 30, 1833. His birthplace was Turbaco, a town in what is now Colombia. His parents were María Mercedes Guerrero Córdoba and José María Amador Leguina.
We don't know much about his childhood. However, he decided to study medicine. He graduated as a surgeon in 1854 from the Universidad de Magdalena e Istmo.
Amador Guerrero's Career Journey
In 1855, Amador moved to Panama and settled in Colón. He started working as a doctor for the Panama Railroad. A year later, he also took on the job of postmaster.
Later, he moved to Santiago de Veraguas. There, he started an export business called "Amador Hermanos" with his brother, Juan De Dios Amador Guerrero. He also continued his work as a doctor.
Amador held several government jobs. He worked in the District Administration and on the Municipal Council. From 1858 to 1859, he served as a deputy in the House of Representatives in Bogotá. He represented the Veraguas State.
Early Political Steps
In 1866, Amador was chosen as a top candidate for the Conservative Party. This was for the election of the President of the Sovereign State of Panama. When President Vicente Olarte Galindo passed away in 1868, Amador was supposed to take over.
However, since he was running in the election, he let the second candidate, Juan José Díaz, become acting president. When it looked like Amador would win the presidency, General Fernando Ponce started a rebellion. Amador was captured and sent away to Cartagena.
Returning to Panama
Amador returned to Panama in 1869. He likely settled back in Santiago de Veraguas. He soon moved to Panama City and began working at the Hospital Santo Tomás. This hospital was old and needed a lot of help.
Amador took on the job of managing and reorganizing the hospital. He did this without pay for almost two decades. He worked there for 29 years in total. He also opened a pharmacy near the hospital.
On February 6, 1872, Amador married Manuela María Maximiliano de la Ossa Escobar. They had two children: Raúl Arturo and Elmira María.
Return to Politics and the Canal
In 1879, Amador's business, "Amador Hermanos," began working with the French company that was trying to build the Panama Canal. At the same time, Manuel continued his work as a doctor for the Panama Canal Railway and Hospital Santo Tomás.
In 1886, Amador served as the last President of the Sovereign State of Panamá. He held this position from June 5 to August 5, 1886. During this time, he led the Council of the District of Panama. This council had to approve the Colombian Constitution of 1886.
By the end of 1888, the French company building the canal went bankrupt. This caused the Amador brothers' business to fail. Manuel covered the company's losses.
The Canal and War
Amador strongly supported continuing the canal project. In 1890, he traveled with Lucien Bonaparte-Wyse to Bogotá. They went to get an extension for the French company's canal building rights.
The French project faced many problems. Then, in 1900, the Thousand Days' War broke out in Colombia. This was a civil war between different political groups. The Colombian government asked the United States to protect the railway in Panama. This led to US Marines coming to the area.
The Colombian president promised that the United States could finish the canal once peace returned. Amador wrote to President Marroquín, urging him to approve a treaty for the canal.
Panama's Independence Movement
Because of the canal issues, José Agustín Arango and others started planning for Panama's independence. Amador joined this group and became a leader of the movement. Other important members included Ricardo and Tomás Arias, Federico Boyd, and Manuel Espinosa Batista.
The United States began to support Panama's independence. They believed it would be easier to work with a new, smaller country to build the canal. In September 1903, Amador traveled to New York. He wanted to find out how the United States might help Panama become independent.
After getting support from the USS Nashville warship, Amador returned to Panama. He then started to put the independence plan into action.
The Plan for Freedom
The USS Nashville arrived off the coast of Colón on November 2, 1903. The next day, 500 Colombian soldiers landed. Amador and other leaders met, fearing their plan would fail. Many of their friends were giving up hope.
Amador went home feeling defeated. But his wife, María de la Ossa, came up with a clever plan. She suggested separating the Colombian generals from their troops. Friends on the railway could help. Once the officers were arrested, the troops could be paid to go home.
Amador convinced railway officials to help transport the generals without their soldiers. The plan worked! Panama's independence was declared. The Municipal Council met and officially created the Republic of Panama.
Amador and Boyd were sent to Washington, D.C. to negotiate a treaty for the canal. When they arrived, they learned that Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla had already signed a treaty. Since Amador and Boyd were not authorized to accept it, the agreement was sent to Panama for approval.
Manuel Amador Guerrero's Presidency
On February 20, 1904, Manuel Amador Guerrero was chosen as the first president of the Republic of Panama. Everyone voted for him. The Constitution of Panama usually required the president to be born in Panama. However, a special rule was added for Amador because of his important role in the independence movement.
During his time as president, he made many important changes:
- He made the gold Balboa the official money of Panama. It was worth the same as the U.S. gold dollar.
- His government adopted the flag of Panama. His son Manuel designed it, and his wife and her sister-in-law sewed it.
- They also adopted the national anthem. His wife's brother, Jerónimo de la Ossa, wrote the words.
- He created the national theater and the national museum.
- He got rid of the army and created a police force instead.
- He worked to improve and expand the education system across the country.
The Canal Zone Agreement
One of his first tasks was to fix a disagreement about the canal zone. The law about the zone was passed on April 28, 1904. Panamanian lawmakers believed the U.S. could only control the zone for building the canal.
Panama's ports were very important for its economy. So, Panama did not want to give up full control over the canal zone. However, the Americans had set up their own ports, customs, and postal services in the zone. Panama felt these actions went beyond just building the canal.
U.S. Minister Charles Edward Magoon worked with Amador to find a solution. Secretary of War William Howard Taft also came to Panama to meet with Amador. They reached an agreement. Only goods related to canal construction could enter the zone's ports without taxes. Other goods would be taxed by Panama at a lower rate.
In return, Amador agreed to let the Canal Company manage health and quarantine rules in the zone. They also agreed on rules for money and postal services. This agreement, known as the Taft Memorandum, shaped relations between the U.S. and Panama for many years.
Death and Lasting Legacy
Amador decided not to run for president again in 1908. He retired from public life. He passed away on May 2, 1909, in Panama City.
His last clear wish was for the National Anthem to be played as he was buried. This wish was honored.
Trivia
- Plaza Amador, a popular football team in Panama's highest league, LPF, was named in his honour. Founded back in 1955 the club's colours are also red, blue and white as they were the colours adopted by his patriotic movement for independence.
- The Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero, the highest honour of Panama, is named in his honour.
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Amador Guerrero para niños
