José María Angél González was the governor of the independent Junta Popular during New Mexico’s Río Arriba Rebellion in 1837. González, sometimes spelled Gonzáles, was a

Taos Pueblo Taos Pueblo (or Pueblo de Taos) is an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos language, Taos-speaking (Tiwa languages, Tiwa) Native American tribe of Puebloan peoples, Puebloan people. It lies about north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico. T ...

Indian who led the Junta Popular or Cantón, which was the most ethnically inclusive government in the history of New Mexico. González was quickly replaced by Montoya as Cantón Governor. González was the first and only Pueblo elected Governor of New Mexico. José María González was from Chimayó and was an accomplished buffalo hunter. González was illiterate and his democratic election marks the only time New Mexico elected an Indian to the governorship. González was likely born a

Genízaro (or Genizaros) was the name for detribalized Indigenous people from the 17th to 19th century in the Spanish colony of New Mexico and neighboring regions of the American Southwest. Genízaros were usually women and children who had been captured ...

father and Taos Pueblo mother, although his exact background is still debated by scholars, who compared his groundbreaking position to

Benito Juárez Benito Pablo Juárez García (; 21 March 1806 – 18 July 1872) was a Mexican politician, military commander, and lawyer who served as the 26th president of Mexico from 1858 until his death in office in 1872. A Zapotec peoples, Zapotec, he w ...

a generation later. He replaced unpopular

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

governor

Albino Pérez Albino Pérez (died 8 August 1837) was a Mexican soldier and politician who was appointed Governor of New Mexico by President Antonio López de Santa Anna's Centralist Republic. He pursued unpopular policies, suffered a revolt in July 1837 and, i ...

before his replacement by Montoya. Both González and Pérez were killed during the rebellion, but Montoya would survive to lead the

Taos Revolt The Taos Revolt was a popular insurrection in January 1847 by Hispano and Pueblo allies against the United States' occupation of present-day northern New Mexico during the Mexican–American War. Provisional governor Charles Bent and severa ...

ten years later. The revolt underlined how increased isolation from

Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...

combined with "Mexico's declarations of political equality for all ethnic groups" increased Pueblo and Hispano cooperation in Mexican New Mexico—"the two groups ousted the governor and briefly established an Independent state—the Cantón—with an Indian serving as its governor.

Governor of New Mexico

When José González became Governor he floated a plan to invite foreigners to join the rebellion and annex New Mexico to the United States in return for support of the rebellion. This proposal weakened his support. The Taos Priest

Antonio José Martínez Antonio José Martínez (January 17, 1793 – July 27, 1867) was a New Mexican priest, educator, publisher, rancher, farmer, community leader, and politician. He lived through and influenced three distinct periods of New Mexico's history: ...

was sympathetic to the revolt. Despite military superiority, the revolt failed when

Pablo Montoya Pablo Montoya (also known as Jose Pablo Montoya) (July 1, 1792– February 7, 1847) was a New Mexican politician who was active both in the 1837 revolt against the Mexican government, and in the Taos Revolt of 1847 against the United States, dur ...

of Taos turned in González in return for amnesty for his faction.Lecompte, Janet. Rebellion in Rio Arriba, 1837. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press. 1985, pp. 40-56. ISBN 9780826308009.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:González, José María 1838 deaths Governors of New Mexico 19th-century Mexican politicians Bison hunters Tiwa Pueblo people