Batlle y OrdцЁц?ez, Josц?

Josц? Batlle y OrdцЁц?ez was born May 21, 1856 in Motevideo in the family of the future president of Uruguay, General Lorenzo Batlle. Jose began his political career 16 June 1886, when he founded the newspaper "El dia". Shortly thereafter, he joined the Party of Colorado, one of the major parties in the country. In 1893, Josц? Batlle y OrdцЁц?ez was elected to the House of Representatives, and in 1896 in the Senate from Montevideo.

Soon Jose became president of the Senate and a member of the National Executive Committee of his party. In 1900 he unsuccessfully took part in the presidential race and was elected to the presidency only in 1903. a small margin from the opponent - the candidate of the National Party (Blanco). It was this little gap in the number of votes has led to civil war in 1904. In 1905 Batlle y OrdцЁц?ez and his followers emerged victorious from this conflict.

In 1905, the new president held a fair election, which has undoubtedly won by Colorado. By the end of his term in 1907, Batlle quietly left his post. After a triumphant tour of Europe, during which Jose met with senior officials of European states, he was re-elected in 1911. and continued the reforms begun earlier.

. During his two terms as president Batlle y OrdцЁц?ez implemented a number of social reforms to protect domestic industry, . in particular the limited profits of foreign companies, . introduced legislation on 8-hour workday, . Pensions, . nationalized and began to develop public works, . vetoed the implementation of the death penalty, . introduced social guarantees for illegitimate children,
. At the end of his presidency, he, fearing the strong-man rule, planned to reform the constitution and create the highest collective executive authority. This idea aroused great opposition, and eventually a new constitution, adopted in 1918, provides a dual system of executive power - the president and National Executive Council - which was considered a defeat Batlle. However, in 1920 and 1926 the former president was headed by the Council without any objection,.
Died Josц? Batlle y Ordoц?ez in Montevideo, 20 October 1929.