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President of Uruguay (1884–1948) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alfredo Baldomir Ferrari (August 27, 1884 – February 25, 1948) was a Uruguayan soldier, architect and politician. He served as President of Uruguay from 1938 to 1943 and is most notable for leading Uruguay to support the Allies during World War II.
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2020) |
Alfredo Baldomir Ferrari | |
|---|---|
| |
| 27th President of Uruguay | |
| In office 19 June 1938 – 1 March 1943 | |
| Vice President | César Charlone |
| Preceded by | Gabriel Terra |
| Succeeded by | Juan José de Amézaga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 August 1884 Paysandú, Uruguay |
| Died | 25 February 1948 (aged 63) |
| Political party | Colorado Party |
| Spouse | Sara Terra |
| Alma mater | University of the Republic, Uruguay |
| Occupation | Politician, soldier, architect |
Baldomir was born in Montevideo. He joined the army in 1900 and studied architecture and engineering. He designed many famous buildings in Uruguay, eventually directed the army corps of engineers and worked as a professor.
By 1930, Baldomir was becoming involved in politics. He served as chief of police of Montevideo from 1931 to 1934 and as defense minister of Uruguay from 1935 to 1938, and was thus strongly identified with the rule of his brother-in-law, then President of Uruguay Gabriel Terra.
He was elected President of Uruguay in 1938 as a member of the long-ruling Colorado Party. He took office as President on June 19, 1938; the Vice President of Uruguay during his period of Presidential office was Alfredo Navarro. Baldomir set a high priority in involving Uruguay in international affairs, and appointed the famous diplomat Alberto Guani as foreign minister.
As World War II broke out (Baldomir was President during the Battle of the River Plate), Baldomir discouraged support for the Axis within the country, and early in 1942, he broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. In 1942, Baldomir, now a general in the army, expanded his powers through a military coup dissolving parliament and declaring an emergency. His term, which was soon to expire, was extended for a year. Soon a new Constitution came into force.
A wide range of reforms were also carried out during Baldomir's presidency. In terms of labor, regulations respecting safety in the construction of scaffolding were amended by a Decree of 7 September 1939, while a Decree of 19 October 1938, as noted by one study, "laid down, for the purposes of the application of labour legislation, a legal definition which finds its main criterion in the preponderance of intellectual or physical effort expended by the wage earner."[1] A law regulating homework was introduced in 1940,[2] and another law introduced that same year fixed minimum standards for work on rice plantations.[3] A number of other labor reforms were introduced.[4] In regards to agriculture, a law of December 20 1939 Law No. 9898 (Land for Farmers) authorized an expropriation in favor of evicted farmers, while Law No. 10,051 (on land division) of 1941, as noted by one study, established “a regime for expropriation, exploitation, etc., with the intervention of the BHU.”[5] A law dated April the 5th 1941 also introduced special treatment for agricultural cooperatives.[6]
Various reforms in social security were also carried out. In 1939, unemployment compensation for shipwrecked sailors was introduced, and in 1940 survivors pensions for all civil servants were introduced, while in 1941 pension eligibility was extended to all military personnel. That same year a Notaries Public Pension Fund was set up organizing pensions for disability, survivors and retirement for professionals. The following year, domestic servants and other household employees came under the coverage of a Industry, Commerce and Public Utilities Pension fund. The following year, a Rural Workers Pension Fund was set up to administer survivor’s, disability and old-age pensions for those engaged in agricultural enterprises.[7] A law introduced on January the 3rd 1941 made insurance against death, old age and invalidity mandatory for those working independently or for owners of businesses, while a law introduced on February the 28th 1941 increased workers’ compensation while also expanding the numbers covered.[8]
In 1943, Baldomir voluntarily held elections and gave up power, but the continued dominance of the Colorados was ensured.
Baldomir retired from presidency on 1 March 1943. He was the president of Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay from 1943 to 1946.[9]
In 1948 he died of an illness in Montevideo.
Baldomir's actions to identity[clarification needed] Uruguay with the Allied cause in World War II have lessened his reputation as a controversial historical figure. It may be noted that he was a leading supporter of the previous President of Uruguay Gabriel Terra, who ruled by decree.
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