| José Batlle y Ordoñez | |
|---|---|
| José Batlle y Ordoñez | |
| President of Uruguay | |
| In office 1903–1907 |
|
| Preceded by | Juan Lindolfo Cuestas |
| Succeeded by | Claudio Williman |
| President of Uruguay | |
| In office 1911–1915 |
|
| Preceded by | Claudio Williman |
| Succeeded by | Feliciano Viera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 1, 1856 Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Died | October 20, 1929 (aged 73) Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Political party | Colorado Party |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Religion | Agnostic |
José Pablo Torcuato Batlle y Ordóñez (May 21, 1856 – October 20, 1929) was the president of Uruguay in 1899 (interim) and from 1903 until 1907 and for a further term from 1911 to 1915. He was the son of former president, Lorenzo Batlle y Grau. His children César, Rafael and Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco were actively engaged in politics. He was also the uncle of another Uruguayan president, Luis Batlle Berres and the great-uncle of the ex-president, Jorge Batlle.
He and his family are some of the most prominent members of the Colorado Party. He was a prominent journalist, who founded El Día in 1886.
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During Batlle's second term, he began a new movement and referred to as Batllismo: concerted state action against foreign economic imperialism. During this time he fought for such things as unemployment compensation (1914), eight-hour workdays (1915), and universal suffrage.
All of this brought a great government involvement into the economy. Private monopolies were turned into government monopolies and tariffs were imposed on foreign products, including machinery and raw material imports. The growth of the meat processing industry stimulated the livestock industry, Uruguay's main source of wealth.
Education started a process of great expansion since the mid-to-late 19th century. It became the key to success for the middle class community. The state approved free high school education and created more high schools through the country. The university was also opened to women, and the enrollment increased throughout the country.
In 1904 Batlle's government forces successfully ended the intermittent Uruguayan Civil War which had persisted for many years, when the opposing National leader Aparicio Saravia was killed at the battle of Masoller. Without their leader, Saravia's followers abandoned their fight, starting a period of relative peace.
During Batlle y Ordóñez's term in office, religion became a major focus. Uruguay banned crucifixes in hospitals by 1906, and eliminated references to God and the Gospel in public oaths. Divorce laws were also established during this time.
In 1913, Batlle proposed a reorganization of the government which would replace the presidency by a nine-member council, similar to the Swiss Federal Council.
In 1920 Batlle gave death in a duel to Washington Beltrán Barbat, a National Party deputy, whose son Washington Beltrán would become President of Uruguay.
A public park and a neighbourhood in Montevideo are named after him.
| Preceded by Juan Lindolfo Cuestas |
President of Uruguay Acting 1899 |
Succeeded by Juan Lindolfo Cuestas |
| Preceded by Juan Lindolfo Cuestas |
President of Uruguay 1903–1907 |
Succeeded by Claudio Wílliman |
| Preceded by Claudio Wílliman |
President of Uruguay 1911–1915 |
Succeeded by Feliciano Viera |