Ballivián, José

Ballivián, José (hōsā' bäyēvyän') [key], 1805–52, president of Bolivia (1841–47). An able military commander who had served in the war against Spain, Ballivián was proclaimed president after the breakup of the Peru-Bolivia confederation under Santa Cruz. At Ingavi (1841) he defeated President Gomarra of Peru, who had attempted to seize La Paz. Ballivián thus insured Bolivian autonomy. Promulgating (1841) a new constitution, he energetically but arbitrarily instituted public reforms. Intense opposition forced him to resign.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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