José Ballivián

Ballivián, José (hōsāˈ bäyēvyänˈ) [key], 1805–52, president of Bolivia (1841–47). An able military commander who had served in the war against Spain, Ballivián was proclaimed president after the breakup of the Peru-Bolivia confederation under Santa Cruz. At Ingavi (1841) he defeated President Gomarra of Peru, who had attempted to seize La Paz. Ballivián thus insured Bolivian autonomy. Promulgating (1841) a new constitution, he energetically but arbitrarily instituted public reforms. Intense opposition forced him to resign.