García Moreno was educated at the university in Quito and in Europe. Versed in political theory, he early took an active role in Ecuador's turbulent politics. He became convinced that the remedy for his nation's political and economic plight was the application of moral principles by a powerful leader.

Aided by a general and former president of Ecuador, Juan José Flores, he seized power in 1860. During his two terms as president (1861–65, 1869–75), he centralized the government, reduced corruption, maintained relative peace, strengthened the economy, placed education under the Roman Catholic Church, signed a concordat with the Vatican (1863), and officially dedicated Ecuador to the Sacred Heart. He was assassinated by a group of young liberals.