Mariano Arista
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
Mariano Arista
|
|
 |
|
| In office January 15, 1851 – January 6, 1853 |
|
| Preceded by | José Joaquín de Herrera |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Juan Bautista Ceballos |
|
|
|
| Born | 1802 San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí |
| Died | 1855 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Guadalupe Martell |
Mariano Arista was born in the state of San Luis Potosi, 26 July 1802; died on board the English steamer " Tagus" going from Lisbon, Portugal, to France, 7 August 1855. He was president of Mexico from 1851 to 1853, as well as a noted veteran of many of Mexico's nineteenth century wars.
Originally an officer in the Spanish Army, Arista later joined the revolutionary army of Agustín de Iturbide. Later, Arista served under Antonio López de Santa Anna, Mexico's on-again off-again dictator during the attempt to put down the 1836 Texas Revolution.
In 1846, Arista was given command of the Army of the North and sent to expel American troops from Mexican territory in Texas. The resulting engagement ignited the bloody Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. Arista was in command of Mexican forces during the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.
Arista's military skills are subject to debate by those who study the conflict. While personally quite brave, Arista was a dedicated "republicano" - a member of Mexico's liberal faction, and therefore the natural enemy of his largely conservative general staff. At both the Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Arista was ill served by the political division among his staff.
After Resaca de la Palma, Mexico's government recalled Arista and he was removed from command. Later absolved of guilt for the defeats at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Arista spent the rest of the war as a functionary, seeing little combat.
In 1851, Arista succeeded José Joaquín de Herrera as president, and sought to bring fiscal stability to the nation. Conservative resistance to Arista's rule, and an eventual revolt by the said conservatives led to his resignation and exile in 1853.
He died in Lisbon, Portugal in 1855. In 1880, Arista's remains were returned to Mexico, and the Liberal faction named him a national hero.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Bauer, K. Jack,"The Mexican-American War, 1846-1848"
| Preceded by José Joaquín de Herrera |
President of Mexico 1851–1853 |
Succeeded by Juan Bautista Ceballos |
 |
This article about a Mexican politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 This biographical article related to the North American military is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
