Augusto+B.+Leguía

= Augusto B. Leguía =

Augusto B. Leguía was the 43rd and 47th president of Peru, having the longest running presidency in Peruvian history. Leguía was born in the northwestern city of Lambayeque, Peru to unknown parents. He moved to America after prior escapades in the Peruvian Army during the War of the Pacific. There he became very wealthy as an executive within the New York Life Insurance Company. Because of his new found wealth, he decided to return to Peru and enter politics at the request of the Prime Minister, José Pardo. He became the Minister of Finance in Peru until he was offered the position of Prime Minister by the aforementioned Pardo once he became president. He left in 1907 to run for the presidency and won, taking José Pardo out of office. His goals were to industrialize Peru, turning it into a modern capitalist society. He was stopped, however, as just less than a year later after being demanded to resign by a group of armed individuals. He did not resign causing them to take him hostage, causing a massive fight to break out causing over a reported 150 deaths. In 1919 He ran again and won but after realizing that the former government and Parliament would not recognize his victory launched a successful coup. Leguía during his reign changed has the constitution changed to allow unlimited re-elections. During his latter years as president, he completely suppressed any and all opposition towards him. Leguía was forced to resign during a coup led by Luis Miguel Cerro. He has arrested afterward for the misappropriation of government funds. During his dictator-like years in presidency, he was able to modernize Lima with the start of public works projects and the creation of more hospitals and banks. This was however contrasted by the economic depression he caused after signing the Tacna-Arica compromise.

By: Aiden Soprych