MARCIST REVOLUTION: CAUSES, STAGES, CONSEQUENCES AND CHARACTERS - HISTORY - 2025

The Marcista Revolution was an armed uprising that took place in Ecuador in March 1845. It was led by opponents of President Juan José Flores and had its epicenter in the coastal city of Guayaquil. The clashes lasted until June 16 of that same year and ended with the triumph of the revolutionaries.

Juan José Flores, who had been the first president of Ecuador after independence, resumed office in 1839. According to the legislation, the presidential term was four years, but Flores approved a new Constitution with which he intended to extend his presidency.

Shield of Ecuador emerged from the Marcista Revolution - Source: Own work, based on: Ecuador coat of arms.svg under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license

This Constitution was called by the Ecuadorians the Slavery Charter and provoked an almost general rejection for its content. In addition, Ecuador went through its first major economic crisis and the government tried to obtain funds by creating a new tax. This sparked protests across the country.

From the city of Guayaquil, a city that had been adversely affected by Flores' policies, a revolutionary movement spread that ended the government. The consequence was the beginning of the Marcista Stage. In it, several laws were passed that modernized Ecuador's legislation.

Causes

The Marcista Revolution, named after the month in which it began, was the first insurrection of its kind that the country had experienced after its independence in 1830. Its beginning took place in Guayaquil and spread throughout Ecuador.

The main objective of the revolution was to put an end to the government headed by Juan José Flores. This had been one of the main figures in the war of independence. In 1839, she replaced Vicente Rocafuerte at the head of the country.

In principle, the legislature was to last four years, but Flores called a Constituent Convention to, among other things, extend that period.

Slavery Letter

The new constitutional text established that deputies had to hold office for eight years. The same duration was established for the presidential term.

In addition, the Constitution gave the President power to appoint senior military officers, judges, and Church authorities. The Magna Carta limited freedom of the press, although it did allow freedom of worship.

In general, the population took a position against this Constitution. The opposition was especially notable in Guayaquil and there were soon some movements against the President.

The rejection generated by the promulgation of the Constitution led to it being called the Slavery Charter.

Policies against the coast

Ecuador had always had two distinct areas: the coast and the mountains. Flores, with his policies, favored the second at the cost of slowing down the progress of the first, in which Guayaquil was located.

Economic crisis

The mistakes made in monetary policy caused Ecuador to experience its first major economic crisis. Its effects reached the entire population and contributed to increasing discontent with the government.

Tax of 3 and a half pesos

To try to alleviate the effects of the economic crisis, especially in relation to the increase in foreign debt, Flores decreed the creation of a new tax.

In this way, all men between 22 and 55 years old were forced to pay 3 and a half pesos. The measure caused great anger in the population and there were uprisings in several cities of the country. The government reacted by suppressing the protests with great violence.

Stages

Former President Rocafuerte, Flores' predecessor, had held the position of Governor of Guayaquil. When the central government promulgated the new Constitution, Rocafuerte decided to leave his post and go into exile in Peru. From the capital of that country, he began to publish articles against Flores.

Another former hero of independence, José Joaquín de Olmedo, also took a stand against Flores. The same did other important figures of Guayaquil, such as Vicente Ramón Roca and Diego Noboa.

In 1845, two years after the Slavery Charter had been approved, the situation in Guayaquil was already pre-revolutionary.

The revolution

The insurrection, which received financial support from the bankers and merchants of Guayaquil, began in that city on March 6, 1845. Very early on, the military leaders of the revolution, Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Ayarza and General Elizalde, took control of the local artillery barracks.

That first movement met little resistance, since only a few soldiers were supporters of Flores. Soon, the news about the taking of the barracks reached all corners of the city and many of its inhabitants came with weapons to support the insurrection.

Although government forces located in Guayaquil tried to resist, the revolutionaries controlled the city in just one hour. Later, they drew up a document in which President Flores was unknown and the central government was denied any authority.

Later, the insurgents formed an interim government for the entire country. Representatives from Guayaquil (Vicente Ramón Roca), Quito (José Joaquín Olmedo) and Cuenca (Diego Noboa) participated in this meeting.

Surrender of Flowers

After having controlled Guayaquil, the revolutionaries extended their activities throughout the Ecuadorian territory. At the head of his troops was Antonio Elizalde, who led the Marcists in several important victories.

Harassed by the revolutionaries, Flores took refuge in La Elvira, a ranch of his property located near Babahoyo. His men turned the hacienda into a fort and it took Elizalde up to three attacks to take it.

Flores' final surrender took place on June 17. The signing of the capitulation took place at another hacienda, La Virginia, this Olmedo property. The agreement reached gave power to the Marcists, while Flores retained some benefits.

Treaties of Virginia

The treaty that put an end to the Marcista Revolution included amnesty for all those who had participated in the confrontations that took place during it.

In addition, Flores maintained the rank of General in Chief, as well as his income. The new government agreed to pay him a pension of 20,000 pesos so that he could live comfortably in Europe for two years.

Consequences

The victory of the revolutionaries marked the beginning of a new stage for Ecuador: the "Marcist period."

Marcist triumvirate

The first government to emerge from the revolution consisted of three of its leaders. It was a provisional board made up of Diego Noboa, Vicente Ramón Roca and José Joaquín de Olmedo, who was elected to lead the Triumvirate.

The Triumvirate convened a Constituent Assembly. This met in Cuenca and proceeded to begin the drafting of a Constitution to replace the one approved by Flores. Before approving the Magna Carta, the Assembly made the decision to annul the Treaty of Virginia for its concessions to the deposed President.

During the sessions of the Constituent Assembly, the representatives approved the substitution of the national symbols. The new ones were designed by Olmedo, who used the traditional colors of Guayaquil.

The new Constitution included some aspects that signified important social advances. The most important was the abolition of slavery. Likewise, intellectual property was recognized.

On the other hand, the Magna Carta defined those who could acquire the status of citizen: those who were not illiterate, who were over 21 years old and possessed properties valued at at least 500 pesos or had an income determined by law.

Government of Roca

The approval of the Constitution, on December 8, 1845, was accompanied by the appointment of Vicente Ramón Roca as president of the country. During his mandate, which lasted four years, he promoted education and culture. Likewise, he was a staunch defender of press freedom.

The main obstacle that Roca found in carrying out his measurements was the reappearance of Flores. He obtained the support of several bankers and the Queen of Spain, María Cristina, to hire mercenaries and try to invade Ecuador.

Aid from other Latin American countries and the United States thwarted the plans of Flores and Spain.

Instability with Ascásubi and Noboa

The next two years were, again, very turbulent. At the end of Roca's government, in September 1849, Congress divided when choosing his replacement. Neither Elizalde nor Noboa got the necessary support and the Chamber decided to appoint Manuel de Ascázubi as interim president.

Only a few months later, in February 1850, part of the army (the one located in Guayaquil) accused Ascázubi of being a sympathizer of Flores and did not recognize his presidency. Instead, he appointed José María Urbina as the country's main authority. At the same time, also in Guayaquil, an Assembly dismissed Urbina and appointed Noboa in his place.

In this way, Ecuador was divided into three sectors: Noboa, Elizalde and those that continued to support Ascázubi.

The alliance between Elizalde and Noboa, signed on July 27, represented the end of Ascázubi's aspirations.

Already in December, the Constituent Assembly decided to offer Noboa the interim presidency of the country, being constitutionally confirmed on February 26 of the following year. However, his rule was not very durable either. Urbina ended up giving a coup on July 17, 1851.

The Government of Urbina

Urbina spent a time as de facto President before being sworn in according to the Constitution in September 1852. During his tenure, he again expelled the Jesuits, who had returned to the country during the Noboa government.

Urbina was accused of organizing groups to violently repress the opposition. On the other hand, it eliminated some of the taxes on basic necessities.

The Government of Robles

In 1856 there was a very important change in the method of electing President. For the first time, it was not Congress that appointed the highest president, but rather elections were held. The winner was Francisco Robles.

The Robles government was concerned with promoting public education. In addition to the construction of new centers, it eliminated the physical punishment to which students were subjected.

Another notable aspect was the elimination of the taxes that the natives had to pay. Although this provoked the rejection of the landowners, the great cocoa harvest of that year calmed the spirits.

On the other hand, the conflict with Peru over some disputed territories ended up causing a war between the two countries. The Peruvian president, Ramón Castilla, ordered to block the Ecuadorian ports.

Robles was forced to transfer his government to Guayaquil. There, on March 15, 1859, he was taken prisoner, although shortly after he was rescued.

End of marcism

In this context of conflict with Peru, Ecuador once again plunged into political instability. Several currents began to form their own governments, while Robles tried to retain his constitutional mandate.

Thus, García Moreno established a government based in Quito, but Urbina defeated it on June 3. For his part, Jerónimo Carrión, vice president with Robles, proclaimed himself president in Cuenca, although he was also defeated.

On August 31, the intervention of Rafael Carvajal gave power to García Moreno. With this, the Marcist period is considered over, while Garcianism began.

Prominent figures

Jose Joaquin de Olmedo

José Joaquín de Olmedo was born in Guayaquil in March 1780. Already during the colonial period he made a name for himself thanks to his brilliant interventions in the Cortes of Cádiz, where he tried to have the mitas abolished.

Following the return to the Spanish throne of Fernando VII, Olmedo was persecuted for his liberal ideals. When he managed to return to Guayaquil, he became one of the leaders of the independence movement in that area of ​​Ecuador.

Olmedo was named the first president of the Free Province of Guayaquil. One of his first measures was to form an army to help the rest of the areas of what was the Royal Audience of Quito to free themselves from Spanish rule.

Although he collaborated with Sucre and was a deputy in the Constituent Congress of Peru, in 1827 Olmedo led the troops that fought against the centralist ideas defended by the Bolivarians.

When the State of Ecuador was formed in 1830, the politician became its first vice president. Flores' policies caused that, in 1845, he was one of the strong men of the Marcista Revolution that sought to end the established regime.

After the victory of the revolution, Olmedo was part of the Triumvirate that provisionally ruled Ecuador. After the promulgation of the Constitution, he continued in political life until his death in 1947.

Vicente Ramón Roca

Born in Guayaquil, Vicente Ramón Roca came to the world in September 1792. His family was quite humble, so the young Roca was unable to complete his secondary education. However, his skills for commerce allowed him to become an important character in the city.

Between 1830 and 1833, as a member of the Liberal Party, Roca held the act of deputy on several occasions. Later, from 1836, he went on to become a senator.

Along with Olmedo and Diego Noboa, Roca was one of the leaders of the revolution that ended the Flores government. After his dismissal, he was part of the Triumvirate that was to organize the transition to a constitutional government.

After the Constituent Assembly drafted the new Magna Carta, Roca was elected as President of Ecuador on December 3, 1845.

The politician remained in office until 1849. That year he had to go into exile, since the situation in the country was quite convulsed and he ran the risk of being persecuted by his rivals.

Diego Noboa

Diego Noboa had started his political career in 1820, when he took part in the October Revolution that led to the independence of Guayaquil.

Later, in March 1845, he again participated in a new revolution: the Marcist. The victory of the insurgents caused Flores to be dismissed. To replace him, a triumvirate was formed. Noboa, along with Olmedo and Roca, were chosen to make it up.

At the end of Vicente Ramón Roca's presidential term in 1849, Noboa ran for president. His rival for the position was Manuel de Ascázubi, without any of them achieving a clear majority.

Finally, the National Assembly appointed Noboa as provisional president, a position he held until February 1851.

However, neither Ascázubi nor Urbina accepted his appointment willingly. Soon they began to conspire against him and it was the latter who started the hostilities. Noboa was arrested and transferred to Callao, in Peru.

Diego Noboa remained in that country until 1855, when he returned to Ecuador. The rest of his life he stayed away from politics.

References

1. Make yourself see Ecuador. March 6, 1845. The Marcista Revolution. Obtained from hazteverecuador.com
2. Aviles Pino, Efrén. Marcist Revolution. Obtained from encyclopediadelecuador.com
3. Núñez Sánchez, Jorge. The Marcista Revolution. Obtained from eltelegrafo.com.ec
4. Revolvy. March Revolution (Ecuador). Retrieved from revolvy.com
5. Lauderbaugh, George M. Historical Dictionary of Ecuador. Recovered from books.google.es
6. The Biography. Biography of Diego Noboa y Arteta (1789-1870). Retrieved from thebiography.us
7. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. José Joaquín Olmedo. Retrieved from britannica.com