Castilla, Ramón, << kahs TEE yah, rah MAWN >> (1797-1867), one of Peru’s great statesmen, was president of Peru from 1845 to 1851 and from 1855 to 1862. A nationalist and a liberal, he gave Peru its first period of peace and stability. He encouraged the guano and nitrate industries, docks, railroads, and the telegraph. He freed Peru’s last slaves, extended voting rights, and ended forced payments from indigenous (American Indian) workers to their employers. Castilla was born in Tarapaca, Peru (now part of Chile). In 1821, he joined the independence forces led by General José de San Martín. See also Peru (The early republic) .
