Carlos Antonio López

Carlos Antonio López Ynsfrán (November 4, 1792 – September 10, 1862) was a Paraguayan political figure. He was the country's ruler from 1841 to 1862.

López was born at Manorá (Asunción) on November 4, 1792, and was educated in the ecclesiastical seminary of that city. He attracted the hostility of the dictator and uncle, José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia, and he was forced to keep in hiding for several years. He acquired, however, so unusual a knowledge of law and governmental affairs that, on Francia's death in 1840, he succeeded Francia as the country's leader.

He was briefly secretary of the military junta that ruled the country in the interval after Francia's death from 1840-1841. In 1841, he was chosen as the country's first consul, ruling alongside Mariano Roque Alonso. In 1844, he exiled Roque and assumed dictatorial powers. On March 13, 1844; Congress approved the first Paraguayan Constitution--probably the work of Lopez himself. A few months later, Congress elected him president for a 10-year term. The constitution not only legally sanctioned López' dictatorial powers, but included no guarantees of civil rights; indeed, the word "liberty" was not even mentioned in the text. He was reelected for a three-year term in 1854, and then reelected by successive elections for ten and three years, and in 1857 again for ten years, with power to nominate his own successor.

His government was in general directed with wise energy towards developing the material resources and strengthening the military power of the country. His jealousy of foreign approach several times involved him in diplomatic disputes with Brazil, Britain, and the United States, which nearly resulted in war, but each time he extricated himself by skillful evasions. Despite the lack of any civil rights, he was somewhat more tolerant of opposition than Francia had been. He released all political prisoners soon after taking full power, and also formally abolished slavery and torture

His official eldest son (not really his), Francisco Solano López (1826-1870), succeeded him as president after his death.

See also

• History of Paraguay
• List of Presidents of Paraguay

Source

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.