Emiliano Chamorro Vargas (11 May 1871 – 26 February 1966) was a Nicaraguan military figure and politician who served as President of Nicaragua from 1 January 1917 to 1 January 1921, and again as interim president from 14 March to 11 November 1926. Biography Early political career In 1909, Chamorro participated in a failed revolution to topple liberal President José Santos Zelaya. When Zelaya was finally removed in a 1909 coup led by Juan José Estrada, Chamorro became Chairman of the Constituent Assembly and leader of the country's Conservative Party. As a reward for his assistance in defeating the revolt against President Adolfo Díaz, Chamorro was appointed Nicaragua's Minister to the United States. In 1914, he negotiated the Bryan–Chamorro Treaty with the United States, by which Nicaragua agreed to allow the construction of a canal across the country, linking the Caribbean with the Pacific Ocean (a canal that has not been constructed). As President of Nicaragua He returned to Nicaragua in 1916, and was elected president. His Conservative Party received US assistance in attaining power, and Chamorro later partnered with the United States. During his term in office he made a concentrated effort to pay off the country's creditors. Running again for office in 1923, he was defeated by Carlos José Solórzano. In 1926, he led a successful coup to overthrow Solórzano, but his new government failed to win American support and faced a civil war, and he eventually resigned in favor of Adolfo Díaz. Later career In the following years, Chamorro served as Nicaragua's minister to several European states. Originally opposed to the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza García, he eventually reached a compromise in 1950 (The Pact of the Generals), whereby the Conservative Party was granted a number of seats in the Congress. This, however, cost him the support of many radical members of the Conservative Party. Genealogy Emiliano Chamorro Vargas came from a very influential family in Nicaragua, both politically and economically. His ancestors were: Diego Chamorro de Sotomayor y Murga b. 1711 Sevilla, Spain, d. 1785 Nicaragua and Gregoria Gertrudis Lacayo de Briones y Pomar b. 1716 Granada, Nicaragua d. 1784 Granada, Nicaragua Fernando Chamorro Lacayo b. 1751 Granada, Nicaragua d. 1793 Granada, Nicaragua and Bárbara Nicolasa Argüello del Castillo b. 1756 Granada, Nicaragua d. 1785 Granada, Nicaragua Pedro José Chamorro Argüello b. 29 Dec 1782 Granada, Nicaragua, d. 31 May 1824 Granada, army general, and Josefa