- Carlos Antonio López
Carlos Antonio López Ynsfrán (
November 4 ,1790 –September 10 ,1862 ) was aParaguay anpolitical figure . He served aspresident of Paraguay between 1844 and 1862.López was born at
Asunción onNovember 4 ,1790 , and was educated in the ecclesiastical seminary of that city. He attracted the hostility of thedictator and uncle,José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia , and he was forced to keep in hiding for several years. He acquired, however, so unusual a knowledge of law and governmental affairs that, on Francia's death in 1840, he obtained almost undisputed control of the Paraguayan state, which he maintained uninterruptedly until his death on theSeptember 10 ,1862 .He was successively secretary of the ruling
military junta (1840-1841), one of the twoconsul s (1841-1844), andpresident with dictatorial powers (1844-1862) by successive elections for ten and three years, and in 1857 again for ten years, with power to nominate his own successor. The constitution he wrote for the country was noted for the broad powers vested in the president and the absence of any guarantees of civil rights.His government was in general directed with wise energy towards developing the material resources and strengthening the
military power of the country. His jealousy of foreign approach several times involved him in diplomatic disputes withBrazil , Britain, and theUnited States , which nearly resulted inwar , but each time he extricated himself by skilful evasions.His eldest son,
Francisco Solano López (1826-1870), succeeded him as president after his death.ee also
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History of Paraguay
*List of Presidents of Paraguay ource
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