Pedro Gómez Labrador facts for kids
Pedro Gómez Labrador, 1st Marquess of Labrador (born 1755, died June 18, 1850) was a Spanish diplomat. He was Spain's main representative at a very important meeting called the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815). At this meeting, countries tried to fix Europe after the wars with Napoleon.
Labrador tried to achieve several goals for Spain. He wanted to bring back the old Spanish royal family (the Bourbons) to power in Spain's former lands in Italy. He also wanted to regain control over Spain's colonies in America. However, he was not successful in these goals.
Many historians believe Labrador was not very good at his job. They often describe him as not being very skilled or easy to work with.
Early Life and Career
Pedro Gómez Labrador was born in a town called Valencia de Alcántara in Spain. He studied law at the University of Salamanca, which was a very old and respected school. He earned his first law degree when he was 27 years old.
In 1793, he became a judge in Seville. Later, in 1798, King Charles IV of Spain sent him to Florence. His job there was to help Pope Pius VI, who had been forced to leave his home by the French army.
After the Pope died, Labrador became a special minister to the Papal States. He also worked in Florence, which was then the capital of a kingdom set up by Napoleon called the Kingdom of Etruria.
Spain's Diplomat at the Congress of Vienna
Labrador was chosen to represent Spain at the peace talks in Paris and Vienna. He was given the important title of Ambassador. This happened after he helped King Ferdinand VII get rid of a liberal constitution that had been put in place in 1812.
When the Congress of Vienna began, Spain was still one of the world's largest empires. However, many of its American colonies were fighting for their independence. Spain had also just won back Santo Domingo from France in 1814.
Labrador tried to get the former Spanish territory of Louisiana back from the United States. But his requests were ignored. He also wanted Spain to become a special ally of the Pope, but other countries like Austria blocked this idea. The British also rejected Spain's claims to land against Portugal.
British leaders found Labrador difficult to deal with. One important British general, the Duke of Wellington, even called him "the most stupid man I ever came across."
Labrador was also not very social. He didn't host many dinners or gatherings, which were important for diplomats at the time. He also didn't get paid much by the Spanish government, so he couldn't afford to host big events.
Spain did not sign the final agreement of the Congress on June 9, 1815. This was because Labrador's ideas about the rights of the Spanish royal family in Italy were ignored. He also protested against some decisions, like the one about the town of Olivenza.
In the end, Spain only managed to get a small area called Lucca back for the Bourbon family. This showed that Spain was becoming a less powerful country, especially with its colonies fighting for freedom. Spain finally accepted the treaty in 1817.
Later Life
Pedro Gómez Labrador lived a long life, but it ended sadly. He lost his job as a diplomat, his wife, his eyesight, and his money.
Interestingly, a modern fashion designer named Hannah Sharpe has created a clothing line inspired by 19th-century Spain. She named it "el Marqués de Labrador" after him.
In Spanish: Pedro Gómez Labrador para niños
