Jos&eacute Batlle y Ordóñez (May 21 1856 - October 20 1929) was the president of Uruguay from 1903 until 1907 and for a second term from 1911 to 1915. He was the son of former president, Lorenzo Batlle y Grau. He was also the uncle of another Uruguayan president, Luis Batlle Berres and the great-uncle of the former president, Jorge Batlle.

During Batlle's second term, he began a new movement and referred to it as Batllismo: concerted state action against foreign economic imperialism. During this time he fought for such things as unemployment compensation (1914), eight-hour workdays (1915), and universal suffrage.

All of this brought much government involvement into the economy. The government started to impose tariffs on foreign products including machinery and raw materials imports. The growth of the meat processing industry stimulated the livestock industry, Uruguay's main source of wealth.

Education, which has always been an important factor of pride in Uruguay since the mid to late 1800s started greatly expanding. It became the key to success for the middle class community. The state approved free high school education as well as created more high schools through the country. The university also opened to women, as well as increased enrollment in all departments.

During Batlle y Ordóñez's term in office, religion became a major focus. Uruguay banned crucifixes in hospitals by 1906, and eliminated references to god and the gospel in public oaths. Divorce laws were also established during this time.

In 1913, Batlle proposed a reorganization of government which would replace the presidency with a nine-member colegiado , similar to the Swiss Federal Council.