Eloy Alfaro

GRAL. ELOY ALFARO
José Eloy Alfaro Delgado (Montecristi, Ecuador, June 25, 1842 - Quito, Ecuador, January 28, 1912) was the leader of the liberal revolution of Ecuador (1895-1924), President of theRepublic of Ecuador on two occasions in covering periods from 1897 to 1901 and 1906 to 1911. For his central role in the battles of the revolution and conservatism have fought for nearly 30 years, isknown as the Old Campaigner.

Alfaro began his struggle against the conservatives since the 60 Catholics of the nineteenth century, but the revolutionary forces he was named Supreme Commander of theprovinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, during their revolt in February 1883, which lasted until 11 October of the same year when it was organized a provisional government that restored the conservatismin power. Alfaro had become one of the biggest opponents of President Gabriel Garcia Moreno and his conservative line that followed in power even after his death.

On June 5, 1895, Eloy Alfaro inGuayaquil overthrows President Vicente Lucio Salazar interim and is named Commander in Chief, which begins the liberal revolution. On January 17, 1897 he was appointed constitutional president untilSeptember 1, 1901, which among its main achievements was the separation of church and state. After his first government, supported his successor, Leonidas Plaza Gutierrez, however, shortly afterwards,there were differences. He opposed government against Lizardo Garcia January 1, 1906 and a few days, on January 17 was proclaimed Supreme Chief and ruled until August 12, 1911. In the second term ofoffice of Alfaro made several changes, which includes the legalization of divorce, the construction of numerous public schools, established freedom of expression, laicismoderecho instituted freeeducation, and civil marriage . However, it is considered the greatest achievement of this period have completed the construction of the Trans-Andean Railroad that linked the cities of Guayaquil and Quito....