Background
Castilla was born on August 31, 1797 in Tarapacá (then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru), the second son of Pedro Castilla, of Spanish-Argentine origin, and Juana Marquezado de Romero, who was of part Aymara descent.
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Ramón Castilla y Marquesado
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Ramón Castilla was a soldier and statesman who, as president or as the power behind the scene, dominated Peruvian politics for nearly 20 years. A conservative himself, he wisely offered concessions to all sectors of Peruvian society and provided the nation with a long period of political stability and economic progress.
Career
He spent his early life exploring the interior of South America, and he later served in the wars for independence and in subsequent revolutions. In 1845 he was elected president of Peru for a six-year term and succeeded in establishing peace in the country, which had undergone a long period of unrest. He stabilized finances, consolidated the national debt with the income from the guano deposits of the Chincha Islands, and promoted the development of telegraph communications, railroads, and other public works. In 1855 he began his second term as president, serving from 1855 to 1862, but internal disorders and trouble with Ecuador prevented progress; the Peruvian constitution was, however, promulgated in 1860. After Castilla retired he continued active in politics until his death.
Achievements
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When Castilla seized power, Peru had been racked by disorder and rebellions for almost 20 years. A strong and skillful leader, he had the good fortune to be in power when Peru’s huge supplies of guano and sodium nitrate were discovered. The income from these resources helped him bring about economic improvements, reduce the nation’s debt, build schools, improve transportation, and foster domestic business. He also abolished black slavery and the head tax on Indians, and, although he was a strong supporter of the church, he eliminated the church courts and the compulsory tithe. In 1860 he supported Peru’s new constitution, which narrowed the franchise, gave wide powers to the president, and recognized the Roman Catholic Church exclusively; it remained in force until 1920.
Connections
In 1833, Castilla married Francisca Diez Canseco.
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Born
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Died
May 30, 1867 (aged 69) -
Nationality
Peruvian -
Religion
Catholic -
Political Party
Consevative