Manuel Robles Pezuela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Robles Pezuela
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Provisional 28th President of Mexico by the Plan of Tacubaya |
|
| In office 24 December 1858 – 23 January 1859 |
|
| Preceded by | Félix Zuloaga |
| Succeeded by | José Mariano Salas |
| Minister of War and Marine | |
| In office 16 Jan 1851 – 18 Jun 1852 |
|
| President | Mariano Arista |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 May 1817 Guanajuato, Guanajuato |
| Died | 23 March 1862 (aged 44) Ciudad Serdán, Puebla |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Political party | Conservative |
Manuel Robles Pezuela (born May 23, 1817 – died March 23, 1862) was an important military engineer and commander in Mexico. He even became the temporary president of Mexico during a big fight called the War of Reform. This war was between two main groups: the Conservatives and the Liberals.
Robles Pezuela was part of the Conservatives. He was known for trying to find a peaceful solution with the Liberals, who were led by President Benito Juarez. However, his efforts to make peace did not work out.
The Conservatives lost the war in 1860. A couple of years later, Robles Pezuela tried to help the French during a time when France was involved in Mexico. But he was caught by the liberal government and sadly, he was executed.
Contents
Manuel Robles Pezuela's Early Life and Military Career
Manuel Robles Pezuela was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, on May 23, 1817. His father, Francisco Robles, was an engineer and a colonel in the army. Manuel followed in his father's footsteps.
He went to the College of Mining, where his father was in charge. Manuel was a very good student. He won awards for his studies in chemistry, English, and geography. In 1840, he became an engineering officer with high honors.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1842, Robles Pezuela was promoted to captain of engineers. By 1846, he became a lieutenant colonel. He worked on important projects, like mapping out the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. He also helped build roads, including a large part of the road between Vera Cruz and San Juan.
He drew maps for the city of Vera Cruz and worked on its docks. He was a member of important scientific groups, like the Mexican Society of Statistics and the Paris Geographical Society.
Serving in the Mexican-American War
Robles Pezuela fought in many battles during the Mexican–American War. He led the engineers in Vera Cruz and was there during the attack on that city. For his bravery, he received a medal of honor.
He also fought at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He was at a hill called El Telegrafo when the American soldiers were pushed back for a short time. He stayed there until the Mexican forces were defeated. He was also under the command of General Santa Anna at the Battle of Chapultepec.
In 1852, he became the Minister of War. But he was not happy with the government at the time, so he resigned. He then traveled to the United States, England, and the Ottoman Empire. During his travels, he studied military forts and scientific places.
Robles Pezuela's Time as President
Manuel Robles Pezuela came back to Mexico in September 1858. By this time, the War of Reform had already started. He offered his help to General Echeagaray. He suggested digging a trench around the liberal-held Fortress of Perote to cut it off.
He then went to the capital city and joined a group of Conservatives who wanted to make peace with the Liberals. They were called 'fusionists'.
Becoming Interim President
Many people were unhappy with the Conservative president, Zuloaga. They felt he was not handling the war well. In December 1858, Robles Pezuela announced a new plan called the Plan of Ayotla. This plan aimed to remove Zuloaga and create a new government.
The plan suggested forming a special group called a Junta of Notables. This group would then choose people to write a new constitution for Mexico. Robles Pezuela hoped that by removing Zuloaga, it would be easier to make peace with the Liberals.
Zuloaga was successfully removed from power. Robles Pezuela became the temporary president. He made some new rules for the war and asked the church for money to help with the war effort. He also invited other states to join his plan, but most did not. Only the states of Mexico and Guanajuato accepted his ideas.
The Election of a New President
The Plan of Ayotla did not initially include a representative for the conservative armies in the north. This upset General Miguel Miramon, a strong Conservative leader. Robles Pezuela eventually agreed to add a representative for Miramon.
A special meeting of the Junta of Notables finally happened on December 30. They made rules for the government and planned to create a new constitution. When it was time to choose a new president, Robles Pezuela lost to General Miguel Miramon by just four votes. Miramon became president on January 31, 1859.
After the Presidency and His Execution
After his time as president, Miramon made Robles Pezuela the governor and commander-general of Veracruz. He took charge of the Division of the East on April 12, 1859.
Because he was known as a moderate, the liberal government offered him chances to join them. Liberal minister Melchor Ocampo also made him generous offers. However, Robles Pezuela did not accept these offers.
He was present when Miramon's forces were defeated at the Battle of Silao in 1860. When the Conservatives lost the war at the end of the year, Robles Pezuela accepted a pardon from the liberal government. However, he was not allowed to leave the country.
During the French Intervention, Robles Pezuela accepted an offer from General Juan Almonte to join his government, which was working with the French. On March 20, 1862, he was captured in Tuxtepec while on his way to join them. He was put on trial by a military court and was shot on March 23. Some foreign countries tried to save his life, but they were unsuccessful.
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Robles Pezuela para niños
