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José Tadeo Monagas
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| In office March 1, 1847 – February 5, 1851 |
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| Preceded by | Carlos Soublette |
| Succeeded by | José Gregorio Monagas |
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| In office January 20, 1855 – March 15, 1858 |
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| Preceded by | José Gregorio Monagas |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Gual Escandon |
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| Born | October 28, 1784 Maturín, Monagas |
| Died | November 18, 1868 (aged 84) Caracas |
| Political party | Conservative Party Liberal Party |
| Spouse(s) | Luisa Oriach Ladrón de Guevara |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
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José Tadeo Monagas Burgos (October 28, 1784 - November 18, 1868) was President of Venezuela 1847-1851 and 1855-1858, and a hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence. Monagas was one of the most unpopular presidents in Venezuelan history, distinguished by his nepotist and favoritism-bound policies, his disregard for laws passed by Congress when he disagreed with them, and the amount of power he attributed to the Executive branch. During his second term, he arranged for a new Constitution (passed in 1858) which would grant him further powers. The administration he set up would eventually lead to a constitutional (and armed) crisis.
As a member of the Liberal Party, he abolished capital punishment for political crimes. José Tadeo Monagas also supported his brother José Gregorio for the presidency.
José Tadeo Monagas and his brother José Gregorio Monagas combined rule 1847-1858 is commonly referred to as the Monagas Dynasty or "Monagato". It ended with the overthrow of José Tadeo at the hands of Julián Castro and his allies during José Tadeo's second term.
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Biography
Early life and career
Being born at Tamarindo de Amana, Maturín, were his parents Francisco José Monagas and Perfecta Burgos Villana, baptized with the name of Judas Tadeo, but by his habit of using only the initial of his first name, was known as José Tadeo. Was provided of a education oriented by the farm work, began his military career as second lieutenant of cavalry under the command of Colonel Manuel Villapol in the patriot army of General Santiago Mariño. In 1813 his Baptism by fire occurs at the battle of Bocas del Pao, the same year distinguish by his actions against the realistic forces led by Lorenzo Fernández de la Hoz, Domingo de Monteverde and José Tomás Boves in Maturín and Cachipo.
In 1814 participates in the siege of La Puerta (February 3), the battle of Bocachica (March 31), and the first battle of Carabobo, obtaining the rank of colonel on May 28. In 1817 cooperates in the eastern region of Venezuela with Simón Bolívar, and in 1818, fights in Calabozo against Pablo Morillo, and in the siege of Semen (March 16) and Ortíz, confronts Miguel de la Torre (March 26). In 1820, was part of the attack against Chicual Guzmán on the trenches of Quimiare (November 2). For 1821 is promoted by Bolívar to General of Division. A year later obtained the charge of Governor of Barcelona and Military Commander of the Orinoco, after that retires to the quiet of farm works. In 1823 married Luisa Oriach Ladrón de Guevara, daughter of Francisco José Oriach and María Antonia Ladrón de Guevara.
In 1830, returns to the political and military life, opposing the separation of Venezuela from Greater Colombia, participating in the so-called Pacification of the East, and in 1831 along with his brother José Gregorio, promoting the formation of a "State of the East", to be composed by the provinces of Cumaná, Margarita and Guayana. Advocating the establishment of a confederation with the other provinces of Venezuela, as well as those of the Greater Colombia.
On May, 1831, in a council of 150 residents of the city of Barcelona, General Santiago Mariño and Monagas are invested as principal authorities of the State of the East, until the installation of the first congress to be convened later. After that, President José Antonio Páez stops this separatist attempt, negotiating with the Monagas brothers, convincing the to submit to central authority. According on June 23, 1831 in Valle de la Pascua, a pardon decree, providing the guarantees to the Monagas and the other member of the movement. From that, José Tadeo retires to private life again.
In 1834, is elected Doctor José María Vargas as president of Venezuela, the military response against the non expected civil power is directed by Monagas, with an armed insurrection in the east, named as Revolution of the Reforms. Being this movement suppressed by government, a new pardon decree signed in the barracks of Pirital on November, 1835, put end to the conflict.
Rise to power
In 1846, Monagas was postulated as candidate for the presidency, for the period 1847-1851, with the support of Páez and president Carlos Soublette. Being elected by congress on January 20, 1847, he took office on March 1. His government is characterized by the break with the Conservative Party, and the implementation of a series of measures considered by his opponents as arbitrary. His term, was marked by the events of January 24, 1848, which culminated with the assault on the National Congress by supporters of Monagas, and the imposition of his personal power. At the end of this period in 1851, his brother José Gregorio Monagas was elected President for the 1851-1855 term, this dynasty became known as the Monagato. After the presidency of his brother, José Tadeo was reelected.
An insurrectional movement led by Julián Castro from the city of Valencia, forced Monagas to resign the presidency on March 15, 1858. He received asylum from the French Legation in Caracas, and went into exile a few weeks later.
Later career
After six years in exile (1858-1864) returned to Venezuela, and gathers around him the opponents to the administration of President Juan Crisóstomo Falcón. At the age of 83, led the Revolución Azul (Blue Revolution), that overthrows Manuel Ezequiel Bruzual (interim successor of Falcón), and occupates Caracas on June, 1868. Subsequently, on June 27, José Tadeo, as General in Chief of the Armies of the Revolution, issued a decree reorganizing the executive administration, and on June 30, declares valid the existing Federal Constitution of 1864. Finally, is called for new presidential elections, but Monagas (whose candidacy was the strongest) due to his age, dies of pneumonia during the process in 1868. His remains rest in the National Pantheon of Venezuela since May 17, 1877.
José Tadeo Monagas was mason in the 33rd degree.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: José Tadeo Monagas |
References
- (Spanish) José Tadeo Monagas — Official biography.
- (Spanish) José Tadeo Monagas
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