ANASTASIO BUSTAMANTE: BIOGRAPHY, GOVERNMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS - HISTORY - 2025

Anastasio Bustamante (1780-1853) was president of Mexico in three different periods in the 19th century. Apart from his political activity, he stood out as a military man in several of the conflicts that took place on Mexican soil during that time. At first he fought with the Spanish troops against the rebels who were pursuing independence.

A convinced supporter of Agustín de Iturbide, he fought alongside him during his Empire. He also participated in several of the armed uprisings that marked political life during those decades. His first presidential term began in 1830 after being one of those who adhered to the Jalapa Plan against Vicente Guerrero.

His mandate was characterized by the use of violence against opponents and the press, which cost him an armed uprising led by Santa Anna. Finally, he has to give up power. Bustamante had to go into exile for a few years, but returned to fight in the Texas War.

In 1837 he returned to the presidential chair for a couple of years. After a brief return to military life, he retakes the post in 1839. In 1841 he says goodbye to politics after being overthrown by a new rebellion.

Biography

Early years

The future Mexican president was born in Jiquilpan, Michoacán, on July 27, 1780. He was baptized as Trinidad Anastasio de Sales Ruiz Bustamante y Oseguera, and spent his childhood between Tamazula and Zapotlán el Grande.

He came from a family with few resources, but they arranged for Anastasio to get a good education. At the age of 15, he joined the Guadalajara seminary and from there he moved to Mexico City with the intention of studying medicine.

However, he did not finish this career, since in 1808 he enlisted in the royal army.

War of independence

His first actions in combat take place a couple of years later, when he begins to face the rebel troops who were seeking the independence of the country. Under the command of Félix María Calleja, it stands out in some battles, such as that of Puente de Calderón.

In 1812, after participating in the Siege, he was promoted to captain. His prestige grows and when Morelos flees he is charged with his pursuit. Throughout those years, his military career continued to advance with new promotions.

Iguala Plan and entry into politics

When Iturbide proclaims the Plan of Iguala declaring the independence of Mexico, Bustamante first joins his supporters as a military man, obtaining great victories in Celaya and Guanajuato.

Thanks to these merits, Iturbide appointed him head of division and, later, a member of the Provisional Government Board. Other positions he held during that period were that of field marshal and that of captain general.

The Iturbide Empire came to an end in 1823. Bustamante has the ability to maintain his Iturbide ideas and, at the same time, not lose his influence by being dragged down by the fall.

Vice Presidency and the Jalapa Plan

His great opportunity came when Congress appointed him vice president in 1828 in the government headed by Guerrero.

The vice presidency did not seem to be enough for Bustamante, since he was one of the participants in the so-called Jalapa Plan, which aimed to carry out a coup. At first, the objective of the Plan was to maintain the federal state.

The attempt of the Spanish to reconquer Mexico caused the military to be placed in command of the reserve army. It was with these troops that Bustamante rose up against Guerrero. In just one month of hostilities, he and his troops enter Mexico City on December 31, 1929.

Just the day after, on January 1, Anastasio Bustamante assumed the presidency. The deputies do not agree as they consider that Vicente Guerrero continues to be the legitimate president and, in case of absence, the vice president should be.

government

First presidential term

This rejection does not cause problems for the self-appointed president. Bustamante pressures Congress to disqualify Guerrero and begins to persecute his opponents.

During his mandate, he sent the Yorkine Masonic leaders into exile and expelled the United States ambassador. On the other hand, he waged a war against crime, using often brutal methods. Some uncomfortable journalists also suffer their violence. Lastly, he is the founder of the secret police.

Among the supporters are the Scottish Freemasons, the clergy and the most conservative in society.

Another important aspect in his government was the recentralization to which he subjected the country. The attempt to eliminate various state governments created many more enemies, including many of those who had signed the Jalapa Plan, such as Santa Anna.

The protests against him, as well as the armed uprisings, are intensifying. Apart from reproaching him for his political actions and the harshness in the repression of his opponents, he is accused of the murder of former President Guerrero.

Finally, in 1833 he was forced to cede power to Santa Anna when he found that his situation was untenable.

Exile

Because of the accusation of having participated in the murder of Guerrero, Bustamante was exiled from the country under the so-called Law of the Case.

During his exile he traveled around Europe and stayed away from Mexico until 1836. The beginning of the Texas War caused his military talent to be reclaimed.

Second presidential term

The events that Mexico experienced at that time are going to make him return to the presidency.

The Constitution promulgated in 1824 was repealed and the Seven Laws were approved, which modified the makeup of the country. With these, the nation became a centralist republic, as claimed by the Conservative Party.

On April 19, 1837 Anastasio Busdamente was proclaimed president in accordance with the new legislation. It had extended each term to 8 years and favored the Church and other traditional allies of the Conservatives.

Return to military life

The first part of his presidency is by no means easy. In a short time he had to face the War of the Cakes, the invasion of Chiapas by the Guatemalans and, finally, the rebellion of José de Urrea in the north.

Putting his military vocation ahead, Bustamante requests a 5-month leave to lead the troops that face Urrea.

Third presidential term

After finishing the license granted, he retakes the presidency. It was the year 1839 and he still had 6 years in office.

The economic aspect was one of the black points of his management and one of the main causes of rebellions against him. In 1841 one explodes in the capital, called Regeneration.

Bustamante returns to lead the troops to try to finish off the insurgents, but the deputies take the opportunity to carry out a movement that removes him from power.

Finally, they decide that Santa Anna once again lead the country, definitely leaving the Bustamante era behind.

Last years of Bustamante

History repeats itself: Bustamante travels to Europe, but in 1845 he returns to Mexico to fight in California. Despite the fact that he barely participated in the conflict, Congress appoints him as president of the Chamber the following year.

With the peace signed between the United States and Mexico, Bustamante only occupies low-level positions, so much so that he decides to abandon all public activity.

Death

At the age of 72, on February 5, 1853, Anastasio Bustamante died in San Miguel de Allende. His heart was buried in the Cathedral of Mexico City, next to the remains of Iturbide.

Main contributions

During Bustamante's mandate, relations were established with the former colonial power, Spain.

Likewise, this character also manages to reconcile with the United States and made a tour of several states in order to restore peace and order.

References

1. Biographies and lives. Anastasio Bustamante. Obtained from biografiasyvidas.com
2. Presidents.mx. Anastasio Bustamante. Obtained from presidents.mx
3. Carmona Dávila, Doralicia. Anastasio Bustamante. Obtained from memoriapoliticademexico.org
4. Hutchinson, CA Bustamante, Anastacio. Retrieved from tshaonline.org
5. The biography. Biography of Anastasio Bustamante (1780-1853). Retrieved from thebiography.us

6. Famous latin americans. Anastasio Bustamante (1780–1853), President of Mexico (1930–1932; 1837–1841). Retrieved from famouslatinamericans.com
7. Infoplease. Bustamante, Anastasio. Retrieved from infoplease.com
8. Archontology. Trinidad Anastasio Francisco de Sales Ruiz de Bustamante y Oseguera. Retrieved from archontology.org