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José Joaquín de Herrera: The Last Spanish Ruler of Texas and Northeastern New Spain

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Arredondo: Last Spanish Ruler of Texas and Northeastern New Spain (Latin American and Caribbean Arts and Culture)

by Bradley Folsom

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3162 KB
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	337 pages
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Early Life and Career

José Joaquín de Herrera was born in Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, on February 23, 1792. He was the son of a wealthy Spanish merchant and a Mexican woman. Herrera studied law at the University of Mexico and graduated in 1813. He then served as a magistrate in the state of Veracruz.

In 1821, Mexico gained its independence from Spain. Herrera supported the new government and served as a member of the Mexican Congress. He was also a delegate to the Constituent Assembly that drafted the new Mexican Constitution.

President of Mexico

In 1844, Herrera was elected President of Mexico. He served for one year, during which time he implemented a number of liberal reforms. He abolished the death penalty, granted freedom of the press, and promoted education.

Herrera also opposed the centralist policies of Antonio López de Santa Anna. Santa Anna wanted to centralize power in the hands of the federal government, while Herrera believed in the sovereignty of the states.

In 1845, Santa Anna returned to power and overthrew Herrera. Santa Anna then declared war on the United States, which led to the Mexican-American War. Herrera opposed the war and refused to serve in Santa Anna's government.

Later Life

After the Mexican-American War, Herrera returned to politics and served as President of Mexico again from 1848 to 1851. During his second term, he negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with the United States, which ended the war and ceded California and the Southwest to the United States.

Herrera died in Mexico City on January 10, 1854. He is considered one of the most important figures in Mexican history.

Legacy

José Joaquín de Herrera was a liberal who opposed the centralist policies of Antonio López de Santa Anna. He also supported the independence of Texas and New Spain from Spain. Herrera was a pragmatist who was willing to compromise to achieve his goals. He is considered one of the most important figures in Mexican history.