Manuel Gómez Pedraza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Gómez Pedraza y Rodríguez
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| 6th President of Mexico | |
| In office 24 December 1832 – 31 March 1833 |
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| Preceded by | Melchor Múzquiz |
| Succeeded by | Valentín Gómez Farías |
| 8th Minister of War and Marine | |
| In office 8 January 1825 – 7 June 1825 |
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| President | Guadalupe Victoria |
| Preceded by | José Castro |
| Succeeded by | José Ignacio Esteva |
| In office 15 July 1825 – 9 February 1827 |
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| President | Guadalupe Victoria |
| Preceded by | José Ignacio Esteva |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Rincón |
| In office 4 March 1827 – 3 December 1827 |
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| President | Guadalupe Victoria |
| Preceded by | Manuel Rincón |
| Succeeded by | José Castro |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 April 1789 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro |
| Died | 14 May 1851 (aged 62) Mexico City |
| Resting place | Panteón Francés |
| Nationality |  Mexican New Spanish (prior to 1821) |
| Political party | Moderate |
Manuel Gómez Pedraza y Rodríguez (born April 22, 1789 – died May 14, 1851) was a Mexican general. He later became the sixth president of Mexico. This was during the time of the First Mexican Republic.
He first won the election in 1828. However, this election was controversial. It led to protests and riots in the capital city. Because of this, Gómez Pedraza had to leave the country. He eventually became president in 1832. This happened after a rebellion against the then-president, Anastasio Bustamante.
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Early Life and Military Career
Manuel Gómez Pedraza was born in Querétaro. When Mexico was still under Spanish rule, he was an officer in charge of local militias. He was known for being very strict and following orders closely.
During Mexico's War of Independence, he first fought for Spain. He helped defeat a major rebel leader, José María Morelos. Gómez Pedraza remained loyal to Spain until the war ended. He was seen as very reliable by the Spanish leaders. After Mexico gained independence, he strongly supported the First Mexican Empire. He was in Mexico City during the empire's final days.
Serving the New Republic
After the First Mexican Republic was formed, Gómez Pedraza became the governor of Puebla in 1824. He was also the military commander there. Some people accused him of not being tough enough during local uprisings. They also said he didn't protect foreigners who were robbed.
He was cleared of these charges. President Guadalupe Victoria then asked him to become the Minister of War. This was a very important job in the government.
During this time, Mexico had strong political groups. There were the liberal Yorkino Party and the conservative Escoses Party. Gómez Pedraza was part of the conservative group. However, he belonged to a moderate part that wanted a federal government. This group included members from both sides. They supported Gómez Pedraza for president in the 1828 elections.
The Disputed 1828 Election
The presidential elections in Mexico at that time were decided by state legislatures. Gómez Pedraza was chosen as the winner. He defeated his opponent, Vicente Guerrero. But Guerrero's supporters claimed that Gómez Pedraza used his power as Minister of War. They said he sent military agents to influence the election results.
Revolts against the election results began in September 1828. These started in Veracruz and then in Mexico City. The protests were so big that Gómez Pedraza worried about the army's loyalty. He hesitated as the rebels gained more power. Eventually, he decided to give in. He resigned from his government job and left the country for France. After this, the Mexican Congress recognized the events. They declared Guerrero as president and Anastasio Bustamante as vice president.
Two years later, Gómez Pedraza returned from France in October 1830. But the government of Anastasio Bustamante did not let him enter Mexico. He went to the United States instead, settling in Pennsylvania. There, he wrote about his public life. He criticized Bustamante's government. A lawmaker named Andrés Quintana Roo also spoke out against the government. He said it was wrong to stop Gómez Pedraza from returning without a good reason.
Return to Power: The Plan of Veracruz
In 1832, President Bustamante was overthrown by a movement called the Plan of Veracruz. The leaders of this rebellion decided to invite Gómez Pedraza back to Mexico. They wanted him to serve the rest of the presidential term he had won in 1828.
A special messenger was sent to the United States to convince him. At first, Gómez Pedraza said no. But the messengers argued that he could unite a country that was falling into civil war. He was finally convinced and arrived in Veracruz in early November.
He met with the main rebel leader, Santa Anna. Santa Anna told him that this new revolution was supported by many people. He said it included important individuals from all political views. Santa Anna also described the long, pointless struggles between the political parties. He assured Gómez Pedraza that he would not be controlled by any party. Gómez Pedraza realized how hard it would be to become president again. He hoped to change the constitution. He wanted to ensure fair elections, social rights, and the right to petition. He also wanted to reorganize the military. He stated that the national will should only be expressed through the constitution and laws. He said that any actions against this would be severely punished.
Presidency of Mexico
President Anastasio Bustamante officially stepped down on December 24, 1832. This was part of the Treaty of Zavaleta. Power then went to Gómez Pedraza. Santa Anna and Gómez Pedraza entered the capital city on January 3, 1833. There was a lot of public cheering and celebration.
One carriage in the parade had a painting of the Battle of Tampico. A young girl dressed as an allegory of Mexico carried a portrait of Santa Anna. Another carriage had a young woman carrying a copy of the constitution.
As president, Gómez Pedraza issued a rule to expel Spaniards. These were Spaniards who had returned to Mexico during Bustamante's time. Lists of Spaniards in cities were made. A few exceptions were made for those who had not actively supported Spain during the War of Independence. He also took actions against officials who had worked for Bustamante's government.
The constitution did not allow presidents to be re-elected right away. So, Gómez Pedraza could not run in the 1833 elections. Instead, he supported Santa Anna and Valentín Gómez Farías. They were later elected as president and vice president.
Gómez Pedraza reduced the size of the armed forces that had helped him gain power. He also urged lawmakers to pass strict rules against armed groups of outlaws. These groups were causing problems for trade, travel, and farming. He handed over power to Gómez Farías on April 1. President-elect Santa Anna was not in the capital at that time.
Later Political Life
After his presidency, Gómez Pedraza remained a member of the liberal federalist party. However, he and his colleague Rodriguez Puebla disagreed with President Gómez Farías. They opposed Gómez Farías's efforts to change Mexico's Indigenous Communities.
When Anastasio Bustamante became president again, he followed a moderate path. Gómez Pedraza even served as one of his ministers in December 1838. But Gómez Pedraza resigned after only three days due to disagreements.
He later served as Minister of Foreign Relations under Santa Anna in 1841. This was a time when federalists hoped a new congress would bring back the federalist constitution. Gómez Pedraza was part of that congress until President Nicolas Bravo dissolved it.
After Santa Anna's fall in 1844, Gómez Pedraza was on the jury that was supposed to try Santa Anna. However, Santa Anna was later pardoned. As a senator, Gómez Pedraza supported President José Joaquín de Herrera's plan. Herrera wanted to find a peaceful solution to the Texas problem. He hoped to recognize Texas's independence in exchange for concessions. This would allow Mexico to end the conflict honorably. But a coup led by Mariano Paredes stopped this. Paredes and his group preferred war.
During the Mexican-American War, Gómez Pedraza was part of the council of state. He tried to limit President Valentín Gómez Farías's efforts to take over church lands during the war. At the end of the war, the Mexican government was in Querétaro. Gómez Pedraza joined special advisory groups set up by President Pedro Maria Anaya. Gómez Pedraza himself was part of the foreign relations commission.
After the peace treaty was signed, he returned to the capital. He ran for president in the 1850 elections but lost to Mariano Arista. President José Joaquín de Herrera's government asked him to work on a treaty. This treaty was with Robert P. Letcher about travel across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Final Years
Soon after, he became very ill with tuberculosis. He remained clear-minded on his deathbed. He took care of his public affairs. He also asked not to have a funeral. Manuel Gómez Pedraza died on May 14, 1851.
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Gómez Pedraza para niños
