Guadalupe Victoria Learn More in these related Britannica articles: More About Guadalupe Victoria Article History Article Contributors Keep Exploring Britannica
presidentJosé María MorelosVirgin of Guadalupepatron saintMexicowarVeracruzPueblaAgustín de IturbidelegislatureAntonio López de Santa Anna’sgeneralByzantinetenureNicolás BravoVicente Guerrero
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Guadalupe Victoria
Alternative Title:
Manuel Félix Fernández
Guadalupe Victoria, original name Manuel Félix Fernández, (born 1786, Tamazuela, Mex.—died 1843, Perote), Mexican soldier and political leader who was the first president of the Mexican Republic.
Victoria left law school to join the movement for independence from Spain, fighting under José María Morelos in 1812. He changed his name to show his devotion to the cause of Mexican independence (the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, had been adopted as a symbol of the insurgency). After the death of Morelos, Victoria waged guerrilla war against the Spaniards from the mountains around Veracruz and Puebla. When Agustín de Iturbide came to power (1821), Victoria at first supported him, but by 1822, as Iturbide arrested all political opponents and dissolved the legislature, Victoria denounced him and joined Antonio López de Santa Anna’s successful revolt in 1823.
Victoria became Mexico’s first elected president (1824–29), but, while honest, unassuming, and a courageous general, he was not particularly suited for the presidency. The inexperienced administrator was not able to deal effectively with the constant political bickering and Byzantine machinations of government rivals, often being taken advantage of by those he trusted. It is small wonder that little progress was made domestically and the economy was in a shambles. During Victoria’s tenure in office, Iturbide was executed. In foreign affairs, Victoria managed much better and established relations with all the major powers. The bitterest blow of his term came in 1827 when his vice president, Nicolás Bravo, led a revolt against Victoria. It was easily suppressed by his comrades from revolutionary times, Generals Santa Anna and Vicente Guerrero.
Learn More in these related Britannica articles:
history of Latin America: Mexico and Central America
…leaders like Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria (Manuel Félix Fernández) continued to harass the powerful through guerrilla warfare in several regions, the popular movement for independence in Mexico was no longer a grave threat to elite power.…
Mexico: The early republic
In 1824 Guadalupe Victoria, a Federalist and a leader in the independence movement, was elected Mexico’s first president. Centralists replaced Federalists in 1828. A Federalist revolt in 1829 put Vicente Guerrero in the presidential chair, but he was soon overthrown by the Centralists, who held power until…
Lucas Alamán
…first as foreign minister under Guadalupe Victoria (1824–29), then as the powerful and influential chief minister of Anastasio Bustamante (1829–32). Alamán’s career was marked by his frequent controversies with the United States and his ambitious, but unfulfilled, economic and political plans. He slowed down migration from the United States into…
Agustín de Iturbide
Agustín de Iturbide, Mexican caudillo (military chieftain) who became the leader of the conservative factions in the Mexican independence movement and, as Agustín I, briefly emperor of Mexico.…
Nicolás Bravo
Nicolás Bravo, soldier and statesman, one of the founders of republican Mexico, serving as its president or acting president at various times. Bravo and his family joined the peasant leader José María…
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More About Guadalupe Victoria
3 references found in Britannica articles
Assorted References
association with Alamán- In Lucas Alamán
- In Lucas Alamán
role in history of Mexico- In history of Latin America: Mexico and Central America
- In Mexico: The early republic
- In history of Latin America: Mexico and Central America
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