Miguel García Granados

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Miguel García Granados
Miguel García Granados

Miguel García-Granados Zavala (September 29, 1809September 8, 1878) was President of Guatemala from 29 June 1871 to 4 June 1873. He was an influential figure in the broad sweep of 19th century Guatemalan history.

García-Granados was born in Puerto de Santa María, Spain, and, as a young adolescent, was brought to Central America. He was a member of a very wealthy family who had a profession of weapons. He visited several places at the age of twenty-three. The places included South America, the European continent, and the cities of New York and Philadelphia in the USA. García Granados completed his schooling in London.

To Guatemalans, García Granados was known as a moderate liberal. He had compromised with Rafael Carrera, and always wanted to get along with Vicente Cerna, his successor. Failing to get along and known to be sympathetic with the revolt against the government, García Granados fled to exile and was successful. He had money that was given to him by Guatemalan liberals. After going back to Guatemala, García Granados became the leader of the revolution; after a while he was called the philosopher. García Granados played a key part in the Barrios regime along with Justo Rufino Barrios, the founder of "the army of 45 men". He served as a provisional president from 1871 to 1873 after the liberal victory of Guatemala City. Amongst political annoyance, García Granados wanted to regularize the government by constructing a lawful regime. He called upon local towns of all sanctions. Also in 1871, García Granados was the leader of a revolution against General Vicente Cerna. Following in 1872, the president invaded Honduras, decreed liberty of the press, expelled the Jesuits, and fulfilled religious orders.

Overall the main purpose of García Granados later succeeded by Barrios was to revolt and make a change in the country as much as they could. It seemed the complete aim of García Granados and Barrios was to have as many liberal revolts as possible. After García Granados stepped down, Barrios served as president until the mid-1870s.

[edit] Sources

  • Jones, Christopher L. Guatemala: Past and Present. Russell & Russell, 1966
  • Rosenthal, Mario. Guatemala: The story of an emergent Latin American Democracy. Twayne, 1962
Preceded by
Vicente Cerna
President of Guatemala
1871–1873
Succeeded by
Justo Rufino Barrios
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