Bernardo O'Higgins
South American Independence Leader
Background:
- Born on Aug 20, 1778 in Chile. He was born into a governing family and was considered a creole in social standards. He was born out of wedlock and his father was Ambrosio O'Higgins who was eventually viceroy of Peru.
- He was sent to England by his father for schooling at a young age.
- He died on October 28, 1842.
The Altar of the Fatherland
In Santiago, a memorial was made in which Bernardo O'Higgin's remains were placed.
Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
A national park in his name is just one of many ways that Chile honors a man that gave everything to help Chile gain it's independence.
Bernardo O'Higgins
Despite having his father being in a dictatorial position in Chile before their independence, he took the initiative to make it better for the whole and tried to instill a power that would be more fair for more than just the elites.
Why Independence?
Chile was upset with an unruly governor, Francisco Antonio GarcĂa Carrasco, and his scandalizing actions to try to smuggle in illegal fabrics from Europe. Chile was ready for it's independence form Spain who had installed a very strict regime.
3 Things Bernardo Did to Help Independence Movement:
1. Was one of the first members of The National Congress of Chile to help with all the political affairs going on.
2. He tried to instill a democratic government into the newly independent Chile. He abolished noble titles and tried to make thing more fair for the previously lower classes. Later, conservatives took him out of power before the entire nation would be swept of their elite powers.
3. When declaration of independence from the Spanish on September 18,1810 arose, Bernardo took action by forming cavalry and infantry units consisting of mostly his own people that worked on his land.