José María Melo y Ortiz
| José María Dionisio Melo y Ortiz | |
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.svg){kind=small} 11th President of the Republic of New Granada |
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In office April 17, 1854 – December 4, 1854 |
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| Preceded by | José María Obando |
| Succeeded by | José de Obaldía |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 9, 1800 Chaparral, Tolima, Colombia |
| Died | June 1, 1860 La Trinitaria, Chiapas, Mexico |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) |
Teresa de Vargas París Juliana Granados* |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
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José María Dionisio Melo y Ortiz (October 9, 1800 – June 1, 1860) was a Colombian general and politician of Pijao ancestry, who fought in the South American wars of independence, and who in 1854 rose to power and held the presidency of Colombia.
Melo was banished from New Granada after the dissolution of the Great Colombia. He traveled to Venezuela, where he joined the military group rosed up in 1835 demanding the restoration of the Great Colombia, and political and social reforms. After their defeat, he went to Europe, in December 1836. Melo studied at the Military Academy in Bremen, Saxony, and became to be interested for socialist ideas debated in local circles.
In 1841 Melo returned to Ibagué, where he became a political leader of the county. There he participated in the foundation of the "Democratic Societies" that organized artisans and leftist intellectuals.
In August, 1850, the artisans demanded protection and the creation of a national workshop supported by the Government. On May 21, 1851, New Granada approved the freedom of slaves bill, and slaveowners rebelled. President José Hilario López called Melo into the army and promoted him to general. Melo found wide acceptance among the troops, and defeated the slaveowners.
General José María Melo assumed power in 1854 with the support of members of the Democratic Societies, a coalition of artisans and liberals who did not think that democracy and dictatorship were incompatible. After Melo was militarily defeated that same year, his soldiers and artisans were severely repressed. The only military survivors of the artisans revolution were 200 participants banished on foot to Panama after their property was confiscated.
Melo, sailed to Costa Rica and helped fight against the American filibuster William Walker in Nicaragua. After the victory, Melo worked as an instructor of troops.
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Wikipedia