Bernardo O'Higgins: "Father of the Chilean Nation. O Higgins, Bernardo - biography

(Spanish: Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme) - Chilean military man, politician, revolutionary, national hero, fighter for the independence of the Spanish colonies in, Grand Marshal of Peru. In Chile he is called the "Father of the Nation".

Childhood, youth

Bernardo Riquelme O'Higgins (August 20, 1778) was the illegitimate son of a Spanish military officer (later Captain General of Chile and Viceroy of Peru) Ambrosio O'Higgins(Spanish: Ambrosio O'Higgins), born of a young Creole woman, Isabel Riquelme(Spanish: María Isabel Riquelme y Meza). Ambrosio was 21 years older than Isabel (she was 18, he was 39); he never married a girl, however, O'Higgins gave his son his name, provided financial assistance and left a substantial inheritance, including the Las Canteras estate (Spanish: Hacienda Las Canteras), located on the outskirts of the city of Los Angeles ( Spanish: Los ngeles), on the Bio-Bio River (Spanish: Río Bío-Bío).

Due to family circumstances, the baby was transported from (Spanish: Chillan; center of the province of Nuble), where he was born, to the town of Talca (Spanish: Talca). At the age of 11, Bernardo returned to his hometown, where he entered the college of Franciscan monks, but did not study there for long - his father, who became governor at that time, decided that his son should continue his education at the elite metropolitan college “San Carlos”. At the age of 17, the future freedom fighter of Chile set out on the road again - this time his father sent him to Spain and then to the UK to study at the Academy. During his 3-year stay in London, the young man studied mathematics, geography, French, music, painting, and fencing. At the same time, his interest in politics grew. In this area, his communication with the hero of the liberation war in (Spanish: Sebastian Francisco de Miranda y Rodriguez) had a decisive influence on the formation of his political views and sent the young O’Higgins on the revolutionary path.

When his father, who by that time had become the Viceroy of Peru, found out about this, he stopped supporting Bernardo, although he wrote down most of his fortune to him in his will.

In 1801, Viceroy Ambrosio O'Higgins died in .

The beginning of revolutionary activity

In 1802, Bernardo returned to his homeland, where until 1810 he managed the farm inherited from his father. He was also involved in social activities, for example, he served as prosecutor of the city council of Chillan, and in his free time he developed ideas of independence in every possible way.

Napoleon's occupation of Spain in 1808 gave the South American colonies the impetus to pursue more independent policies.

In 1810, Bernardo O'Higgins actively helped the Chilean politician Juan de Rosas (Spanish: Juan Martínez de Rosas) in creating a police service and convening the National Congress, for which (1811) he became an elected deputy from the Los Andes region (Spanish: Los Andes) and held key management positions for the next 2 years. At the same time he joined the revolutionary government Junta of General Jose Miguel Carrera(cas. Jose Miguel Carrera), whose intrigues and disagreements tired him so much that Bernardo left the government and returned to his farm.

Liberation struggle

Illustration by Ursula Chioke

When the anti-Spanish movement unfolded in Chile in 1813, Bernardo O'Higgins (already a general in 1814) commanded the patriot troops. In October 1814, the Chilean patriots suffered a crushing defeat, and the country fell under the rule of the Viceroy of Venezuela for 3 years. After defeat at the Battle of Rancagua (Spanish: Batalla de Rancagua), O'Higgins' troops retreated to the territory, where the general joined the liberation army (Spanish: Jose Francisco de San Martín y Matorras; one of the leaders of the War of Independence of the Spanish colonies in Latin America 1810 – 1826). Together they created the liberating Army of the Andes (Spanish: Ejército de los Andes), which crossed the mountain ranges in January 1817 and defeated Spanish forces at the famous Battle of Chacabuco (Spanish: Batalla de Chacabuco), opening the door to the capture of the capital.

According to the general, ships were to play a decisive role in the capture. Therefore, he formed a fleet, transferring command of the ground forces to Thomas Cochrane (Spanish: Thomas Cochrane). O'Higgins' fleet achieved dominance along the entire Pacific coast, with its help San Martin was able to liberate Peru from the rule of the Spanish crown.

For 3 years, O'Higgins prepared for a trip to Chile. In 1817, together with the army of San Martin, the general's troops liberated Chile.

Years of Chilean rule

Being the Supreme Ruler of Chile from February 1817 to January 1823, on January 1, 1818, he signed the Declaration of Independence of the country and devoted himself entirely to the tasks of government. On February 12, 1818, the independence of the Republic of Chile was proclaimed.

During his time in government power, Bernardo O'Higgins created a Senate with legislative and advisory functions, carried out a number of progressive reforms, in particular the abolition of colonial taxes, founded public primary schools, created libraries and stimulated the development of art. By the end of his reign, the Supreme Ruler practically established a dictatorship. The nation he helped bring into being was free and united largely due to his efforts. People were able to “taste” freedom: trade was free, and goods filled the port; people were free and now had the opportunity to easily move around the country; The intelligentsia and representatives of the cultural sphere felt great.

O'Higgins's radical and liberal reforms were resisted by influential large landowners, religious leaders and industrialists. A glorious military leader, an adequate and honest politician, in January 1823, under pressure from the opposition, O'Higgins was forced to resign and emigrate. Initially, he was going to go to Ireland, but at the insistence of (Spanish Simon Bolivar; 1783-1830) he stopped in Peru, where Bernardo had farms given to him by San Martin.

Years of exile

The situation in the country, where the monarchists still controlled some of the territory, was generally chaotic. The Chilean general had to take command of the Peruvian troops. After arriving in Peru, Bernardo O'Higgins struck up a strong friendship with Simon Bolivar and became one of the leaders of his Headquarters.

Along the way, he was actively engaged in establishing affairs in his thoroughly plundered Peruvian possessions, since his opponents in Chile did everything to ensure that he stopped receiving a military pension from Chile, was expelled from the Chilean military hierarchy and became an exile.

After his departure, Chile plunged into chaos. An attempt was even made to bring back O'Higgins, who was already planning his return when the regime of Ramon Freire (Spanish: Ramon Freire; 2nd President of Chile) collapsed and the country split into warring factions. O'Higgins realized that his chance was lost: " I have solemnly renounced political power and will never accept it again." When the Chilean Minister of the Interior Diego Portales (Spanish: Diego Portales) declared war on the Peruvian-Bolivian confederation, Andres Santa Cruz(Spanish: Andrés de Santa Cruz; President of Peru in 1827, President in 1829-1839) wanted to get the valiant military leader on his side. But O'Higgins condemned the fratricidal war and refused to support the dictator, even when he promised to give him power in Chile if he won.

When the conflict ended with the victory of General Manuel Bulnes (Spanish: Manuel Bulnes), a “liberal page” was opened in the history of Chile. Bulnes himself led the process of national reconciliation in the country, and in 1841 he ordered the restoration of all military ranks and payments to O'Higgins, who in April 1840 suffered another heavy blow - the death of his mother, Doña Isabel.

Bernardo O'Higgins: Homecoming

In 1842, the National Congress of Chile decided to allow O'Higgins to return to Chile, but by that time his health had completely deteriorated. On October 24, 1842, at the age of 64, Bernardo O'Higgins died in Lima.

In 1869, the ashes of the national hero in a marble coffin were transported to Chile and buried at the famous " Cementerio General de Santiago", one of the largest cemeteries in Latin America. In 1979, O'Higgins' remains were placed in the "Altar de la Patria" ("Altar of the Fatherland"), in front of the government palace "Palacio de La Moneda" by order of (Spanish: Augusto Jose Ramon Pinochet Ugarte).

In 2004, the “Father of Chilean Independence” finally found peace in a specially built “ Mausoleum of the Liberator"(Spanish: Mausoleum of Bernardo O'Higgins) in .

Memory

The following are named in honor of Bernardo O'Higgins: the Chilean part of Lake San Martin (Spanish: Lago San Martín, Lago O'Higgins), the National Park, the Chilean region (Spanish: Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins), the village (Spanish: Villa O' Higgins), an avenue in Santiago, a football club, several ships of the Chilean Federal Migration Service (including an armored cruiser) and an Antarctic research station (Spanish: Base Antártica Bernardo O'Higgins) - O'Higgins was an active supporter of the development of the south by the Chileans.

Curious facts

• When Bernardo was born, Ambrosio O'Higgins was a junior officer.
• Bernardo's relationship with his father was, so to speak, distant: Ambrosio supported his son financially and was concerned about his education, but they met in person only once.
• Remembering his father, Bernardo spoke about him only in superlatives, having the deepest respect for him. He considered it his duty to “follow his shining example.” However, in reality, he far surpassed his father.
• For 6 years (1817 - 1823) Bernardo O'Higgins was a fairly successful ruler of the country: he organized markets, courts, schools, colleges, hospitals and carried out important reforms in agriculture. Various military reforms were undertaken, for example, on his initiative, the Chilean Military School was founded in 1817.
• Along with the Military Academy, the Supreme Commander became the founder of the modern Chilean Navy, creating the Academy for Young Midshipmen (the predecessor of the current Naval Academy) and the Marine Corps.
• O'Higgins lived in exile for almost 20 years, where he was surrounded by his family: his mother Isabel, his illegitimate son, Pedro Demetrio O'Higgins(Spanish: Pedro Demetrio O'Higgins; 1817–1868), and half-sister, Rosa Rodríguez Riquelme (Spanish: Rosa Rodríguez Riquelme; 1781–1850).
• According to documentary information, the disgraced general also had a daughter, Petronila, born around 1809.
• When O'Higgins decided to resign, he addressed the crowd gathered outside the palace with the words: “ Although I was not able to establish the new state institutions of the Republic, I ... feel satisfaction that I am leaving my homeland free and independent, ... glorified by the conquests of its victorious army. I thank heaven for the grace bestowed on me - with almost absolute power, and I pray to him to protect those who follow me... I ask that you believe that any mistakes I may have made during my reign were not due to malice, but to the difficult conditions under which I was destined to rule. I am ready to answer any accusations if the mistakes I have made can be atoned for with my blood - here is my chest!».
• Bernardo O'Higgins was in many ways the most outspoken, intelligent and open of the Liberators. Noble in spirit, not at all warlike, he became a warrior and leader of his people solely out of a sense of duty.
• He was never in good health, his military knowledge was rather meager, nevertheless, in battles he showed miracles of valor and courage.
• O'Higgins' reign was enlightened, fair, and forward-looking. If he had to show authority, it was solely out of necessity.
• Bernardo O'Higgins, who dreamed with all his heart of returning to his homeland, still waited until he was called there. But precisely on the day when the old general was ready to board the ship, he suffered a severe heart attack.
• He bequeathed his estate to his sister Rosita, and after her death to his illegitimate son Pedro. Like Father Ambrosio, he drew up his will while he was already on his deathbed.
• « I always felt more useful on the battlefield. I understand nothing of...the immoral art of intrigue by which people strive to govern a state torn apart by opposing parties and dissident factions...Personal experience and the scanty knowledge of politics that I possess have convinced me that our peoples can achieve prosperity only under coercion. But my aversion to coercion is so great that I do not want to resort to it, even for the sake of achieving their own good!“- wrote the exile, who eventually returned to his beloved homeland, albeit in a marble coffin...