THE STRUGGLE AGAINST OPPRESSION
The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella is perhaps the most noteworthy epoch
in Spanish history. It resounded with the clash of arms and with the
thirst for discovery. It was also an era of intolerance. A distinctive
tendency toward cruelty has ever been a prominent trait of the Spanish
character. The driving out of the Moors and the elimination of the
Moorish civilization, the harsh treatment of the Jews and, finally, the
establishment of the Inquisition are all indicative of that tendency.
These traits were carried with them into the New World in their worst
forms. The Spanish expeditions to South America were marked by ferocious
cruelty, unlimited bloodshed, and an unquenchable lust for treasure. A
low standard of personal relations as well as a narrow conception of
public morality prevailed. It was from the very worst of the population
of Spain that the early colonists to Spanish South America came. Most of
them were adventurers who had nothing to lose, and who were quite willing
to risk their lives for the possibility of treasure. It is not unnatural
that the worst characteristics of the Spanish character should early
be developed, and to an abnormal degree. One quality they had to aid
them—there was no lack of personal courage. Ignorant they might be, but
of personal bravery there was no question, as their deeds bear witness.
In South America there were two great racial divisions, besides the
tribes dwelling in Patagonia, who were quite different to either of
the others. On the Pacific slope the Incas had joined together the
various tribes from north of Quito to Chile into a great community over
which they exercised supreme power. The people lived under established
conditions; they built towns and public works and were proficient in
agriculture. On the Atlantic side of the Andes, from Venezuela to the
La Plata, the Indians belonged to Tupi-Guarani stock. The features and
habits of some of the tribes had become slightly modified, but they show
enough similarities to leave small doubt as to their common origin. These
tribes were all nomadic, and existed principally on the products of the
chase or wild fruits which they gathered. The Araucanian and Tehuelche
Indians of Patagonia were also nomadic, but they are of a different
temperament.
For three centuries after its discovery no immigration was permitted
to the South American colonies except of Spaniards. These Spaniards
intermarried freely with native women. From this mixture grew up the
greater part of the original population of Argentina, as well as the
other colonies. The gradual development of population and wealth was
little understood in the mother country. Trade with foreign countries was
prohibited, all mineral wealth was heavily taxed and the Crown “milked”
the colonies in every way. All of the officials were native Spaniards.
A feeling of animosity gradually grew up among the colonists toward
the Spaniards which finally led to the outbreak of hostilities at the
commencement of the nineteenth century. South Americans perhaps give too
little importance to the influence of the United States in the outcome
of their struggles for liberty. The idea of America for the Americans
existed long before the enunciation of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. That
idea was in the minds of Washington and his co-workers. Their success
also fired the patriotism of Bolivar, San Martin and other South American
liberators.
The story of Argentina is but another chapter in the history of the
short-sighted attitude of Spain toward her colonies in the New World.
The sole purpose of the colonial policy of Spain seemed to be to protect
the trading monopoly which had been farmed out to the merchants of
Cadiz, and to keep a record of the production of silver and gold, in
order to insure the collection of the royal one-fifth. Every Atlantic
port of South America was closed to traffic except Nombre de Dios, on
the coast of Panama. Everything destined for that continent had to be
taken there, transported across the isthmus and reloaded to vessels
on the Pacific. Goods destined for Argentina also had to follow this
route. They were carried by vessels to Callao, Peru, and from there were
taken overland even as far as Buenos Aires. It was for this reason that
the early settlers of Argentina mostly came in from the Andes side. To
further enforce this monopoly of trade the governors of Buenos Aires were
instructed to forbid all importation and exportation from that port
under penalty of death and forfeiture of property to those engaged in it.
It is little wonder that a system of corruption and an evasion of
such iniquitous laws was developed. The several governors recommended
modifications, but the Cadiz merchants were obdurate. Smuggling and
surreptitious trading grew popular, and the officials soon became silent
partners in the traffic. Although the laws remained upon the statute
books nothing could keep the people from trafficking with their own
products. Buenos Aires became a community of smugglers. English and Dutch
ships landed their goods under the very noses of officials, took their
pay in hides or money and then continued their way around Cape Horn to
the west coast, where the same process was repeated. Mule trains carried
these goods thus illegally entered across the plains to Cordoba and
Tucuman; the officials along the way winking at this evasion of unpopular
laws. The profits were distributed among officials and the soldiers were
hired to shut their eyes. The abstract right of the government to enact
such restrictive regulations was never questioned. They broke the laws
without any qualms of conscience, but contesting them was not even
dreamed of. The idea that the right to trade or to practise a profession
existed only by sufferance of the government has not been eradicated even
to this day. It is a relic of this age. It is not surprising that office
holding became the popular vocation and has remained so even to the
twentieth century.
For a long period the whole of South America was under the viceroyalty
of Peru. Some of the larger capitals had bodies of officials known as
Audiencias. The viceroyalty was divided into provinces, each of which had
a governor. Each new region occupied was organized into a municipality,
which was the real unit of their political structure. The governing body
of this municipality was termed the Cabildo, and was composed of from
six to twelve members who were appointed and held office for life. This
body exercised the civil and judicial administration. Most of these
men secured their appointment through actual purchase. The territorial
jurisdiction of these municipalities was generally poorly defined, and it
was sometimes almost coextensive with the province. Although the colonial
governor was supposed to give a full account of his administration,
he often failed to do so and conducted his office as a despotic and
irresponsible ruler.
The governors were always Spaniards, and only one exception appears
in Argentina, Hernandarios Saavedra. This man appears as one of the
brightest names during the seventeenth century. For several years he
acted as governor of Buenos Aires, and he did a great deal of good in
securing justice to the Indians and curbing the military power. He
retained the confidence of both natives and Spaniards by his reputation
for giving a square deal to all sides. Under his policy the colonies
prospered and the pastoral pursuits were greatly extended. The sixteenth
century contained very little of interest to the general reader. The
inhabited portions were extended but little, and there were one or two
uprisings of Indians against the white man’s rule. Only one was serious
and that was of the tribes on the Andean slopes, who were stirred up by a
leader who claimed to be the direct descendant of the old Inca princes.
This disturbance lasted for fifty years, but it ended with the capture
and execution of the leader, who was known to the Spaniards as Bohorquez.
Some struggles took place between the Portuguese settlers of Brazil and
the Spaniards, who had attempted to penetrate the regions watered by the
upper Paraná. The “Paulistas,” inhabitants of the state of São Paulo,
resisted the encroachments of the Spaniards, as they feared the Jesuit
influences, which they both feared and hated. They raided the settlements
of that order in Misiones and carried off several thousand of the poor
natives as captives. The Iguassú River and the east bank of the Uruguay
seemed to be adopted informally as the dividing line between the two
races, although later differences arose over the territory now embraced
in the republic of Uruguay. The Portuguese established a settlement,
called Colonia, in 1680, almost opposite to Buenos Aires, which was ever
a sore spot for the Spaniards and gave rise to much trouble. It became a
harbouring place for smugglers and offenders against Spanish laws, but it
remained under Portuguese control for a long period.
With the eighteenth century Spain adopted a little more liberal policy
toward her colonies in regard to trade. The prestige which England and
Holland had obtained practically forced certain concessions. Uruguay
began to be settled by Spaniards. The increase in population and greater
demand for wool and hides in Europe caused a remarkable advance in trade.
In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled, as they had been in Brazil some time
previous. This order had accumulated enormous wealth and ruled a large
section of the country with an iron hand. The members of the order were
forcibly driven out and their property sold at auction or divided among
other orders.
In 1776, just a few days after the declaration of independence in the
American colonies, Buenos Aires was established as a viceroyalty. Lake
Titicaca on the north, and the Andes on the west, were established as
the boundary lines. It included the territory now divided into the four
republics of Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay. South of the city
of Buenos Aires, however, there was practically no development. The first
viceroy was named Pedro de Zeballos, who came over with a large force of
soldiers and sailors in order to drive out the Portuguese. Free commerce
with Spain was now permitted and commerce greatly increased. Buenos
Aires became the centre of all this trade, was greatly prospered and its
population rapidly increased. Wines, brandies, hides, tobacco and maté
(Paraguay tea) were the principal articles exported to Europe.
The beginning of the nineteenth century saw unrest all over South
America. It began in Quito, Ecuador, and spread in every direction.
It did not take long to reach the loosely cohered sections of the
viceroyalty of Buenos Aires, in which the different elements had not
coalesced. The Spaniards generally lived in the populated centres, while
the gauchos, mostly half-breeds, had their homes on the broad pampas.
It was essentially democratic as compared with more aristocratic Peru
and Mexico. The only common bond was religion, and that was not strong.
Spain’s selfish policy had destroyed her prestige, while the revolutions
in France and North America had propagated the idea of democracy among
the youth.
Perhaps no one incident had greater influence upon the final events than
the attempt of England, encouraged by her successes in South Africa, to
capture Buenos Aires. In June, 1806, a British fleet bearing on board
fifteen hundred troops appeared in the La Plata. The Viceroy immediately
fled, and the British flag soon floated over his late residence. For
several weeks the people acquiesced in this change, but a Frenchman,
named Jacques de Liniers, headed the opposition. He organized a force
in Montevideo and advanced on Buenos Aires. The citizens, reanimated
by his enthusiasm, flocked to his banner and, after some bloody street
fighting, the English were compelled to surrender. Their flags were
captured and are still exhibited as trophies of Argentine prowess in the
Church of Santo Domingo in that city. The success of the Argentinos,
who had accomplished this victory without help from the mother country,
greatly encouraged the patriots and aroused in them a hope of separation
from Spain. Reinforcements came from England, to renew the conflict.
The troops marched confidently into the city. The flat roofs of the
buildings and the parapet-like fronts, however, provided excellent
shelter for the defenders, and the British general was finally compelled
to ask for terms. He had lost a quarter of his force but was allowed to
leave on honourable terms. The attempt of Napoleon to place his brother,
Joseph Bonaparte, on the throne of Spain also fermented the spirit of
revolution that was becoming rampant, for the people felt no loyalty or
allegiance to this upstart. A new Viceroy was sent out by the mother
country, but he did not remain in peace very long. In an effort to
placate the Spanish-American colonies a royal decree was issued that the
colonies were considered an integral part of the monarchy and should have
representatives in the Cortes. “At last you are raised to the dignity of
free men,” came the message to the colonists. It was too late.
A group of patriots had already risen who were holding meetings to decide
what could be done in this crisis. The leader in this band was Manuel
Belgrano. They decided to ask the resignation of the Viceroy and waited
on him with this request. He knew that his position was untenable because
of the disaffection among the troops. On the 25th of May, 1810,[2] an
armed assembly met on the plaza in front of the government palace under
the leadership of Belgrano, Moreno, Castelli and Valcarcel. The colours
of blue and white were seen everywhere, for these were the colours
adopted by the revolutionists. A provisional junta was selected who
assumed the executive powers of government. For several years, however,
their acts all run in the name of Ferdinand VII, King of Castile and
Leon. No attempt was made at this time to secure the adherence of the
other provinces, but emissaries were later sent asking their coöperation.
Troops were afterwards sent, and a number of encounters occurred. Both
sides killed their prisoners as a general rule, and the combats were very
sanguinary.
Manuel Belgrano was a native of Buenos Aires. He had been educated
in Spain and had there imbibed republican ideas. His enthusiasm,
his radicalism and his ability soon placed him at the head of the
revolutionary forces. Though lacking in military training he proved
himself an able general. He led an unsuccessful expedition into Paraguay,
whither he went to induce the Paraguayans to join in the revolt. Another
great defeat had been given the Argentine forces in Bolivia. Montevideo
was evacuated, and the situation was becoming desperate. Belgrano was
then placed in command and gathered together the scattered forces
at Tucuman. The result was a decisive victory for the patriots. The
gaucho cavalry followed the fleeing Spaniards clear to the boundaries
of Bolivia, and inflicted great losses upon them. Belgrano foolishly
followed up this real victory by another invasion of Bolivia, and met
with an overwhelming defeat at Vilapugio, and again at Ayohuma. With
the remnant of his army he returned to Argentine territory, and was
succeeded in command by San Martin, who proved to be the real genius of
the struggle for independence.
José de San Martin first saw the light on the 25th of February, 1778,
in a little town on the Uruguay River, his father being an officer in
the Spanish army. While still a small boy he was taken to Spain to be
educated. Entering a military school, for his father had destined him
for a military career, he finished that course, and at an early age
enlisted in the army. He served in the many wars of that country against
Napoleon, and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He also fought for
a time under the great English general, Wellington, in his campaign in
the Iberian peninsula. In these conflicts San Martin had imbibed liberal
principles, and a hatred of all forms of oppression and injustice filled
his soul. The success of the American republic inspired him as well as
others, so that he joined with many in a secret society, pledged to the
work of establishing a republic in Spain.
Man proposes, but God disposes. The struggle for independence in
Argentina appealed to this patriot and he decided to return to his
native land. He arrived at an opportune time, for the successes of the
Spanish troops had plunged the patriots into despair. In March, 1812, San
Martin landed in Buenos Aires. His first step was to organize and drill
some effective regiments of infantry in that city, for men trained in
military tactics were wanting. He selected the finest physical and moral
specimens of manhood that could be found, and subjected them to a rigid
discipline. The lazy and cowardly ones were weeded out, until he had only
a small force, but this body was composed of real soldiers. With these
men he gained some victories, but success did not seem possible to him
along these lines. He therefore planned a new move with all the genius
of a great commander, who cares not for temporary success but sees only
ultimate victory.
To San Martin the only hopeful plan seemed to be to drive the Spaniards
out of Chile, and then attack Peru, the stronghold of Spanish power in
South America. He aimed not only for the independence of Argentina, but
of all of that great continent; he vowed he would not be satisfied until
the last Spanish soldier had left the soil of South America, and every
province was free. To this end he sought the appointment as governor of
Cuyo, nestling up against the Andes on the direct route to Chile, and now
known as the province of Mendoza, in Argentina. The inhabitants of that
section, who breathed the free air of the mountains, were notoriously
anti-Spanish, brave and enduring. Chilean patriots who had been exiled
were numerous here, too, and it offered good recruiting ground. He
brought with him as a nucleus a part of the troops he had drilled in
Buenos Aires, and the government later sent him a corps of negro slaves,
who had been freed from bondage. For three years San Martin laboured
steadily building up a great war machine. Though civil war waged in and
around the capital he kept aloof from all these disturbances, and busied
himself in recruiting, drilling and instructing officers, as well as
men, raising taxes, gathering provisions, making powder, casting guns,
building portable bridges and making all arrangements for transport and
commissariat on his contemplated march into Chile.
Dictator succeeded dictator, military chief followed military chief in
Buenos Aires. A formal act of independence from Spain had been drawn up
and proclaimed on the 9th of July, 1816, in Tucuman, where Congress had
convened for that purpose. Pueyrredon was selected as supreme director.
He was succeeded by Rordeau, and he again was defeated by Artigas.
Then came Ramirez and other military leaders who gained more or less
power and authority. San Martin paid no attention to these military or
governmental affairs. One idea, one definite plan absorbed all his energy
and attention. This plan he confided to no one. This taciturn general,
however, was preparing a thunderbolt that would clear the Argentine sky
of all these clouds, except internal dissensions. When summer came in
1817, which is our winter, and all the passes were freed from snow, he
felt that he was ready to advance. Among his forces were the picked youth
of Buenos Aires, reckless, enthusiastic and ambitious, who were willing
to follow this leader anywhere; manumitted negroes, who were scarcely
inferior to their white comrades; Chilean exiles, who preferred death to
submission, and looked upon this as their only hope of again seeing their
homes. All of these men had been thoroughly drilled in the arts of war
as practised by the armies of Europe in the Napoleonic era. No detail had
been omitted. The last few months had been spent in preparing rations of
dried beef and parched corn, in gathering mules for transport, and in
making sledges to be used on the slopes which were too steep for cannon
on wheels. Every possible route across the Andes had been examined, and
the most careful calculation of distances made. Spies were placed in all
the passes, and the Spaniards were kept in absolute ignorance as to which
of many passes along hundreds of miles of frontier would be used for the
impending attack. These men were sworn to remain “united in sentiment and
courage, in order not to suffer for the future any tyrant in America; and
like new Spartans never to bear the chains of slavery while the stars
shone in the sky and blood ran in their veins.”
The precautions of this astute leader are shown by the fact that his
real intentions were not revealed until on the very eve of the advance,
through fear of treachery. In the middle of January General San Martin
broke camp and left Mendoza. His army was divided into two divisions.
The smaller force was sent through what is known as the Uspallata pass,
which was the old Inca trail, and is now followed by the railway which
has just been completed across the Andes. This trail runs across the
Bridge of the Incas, one of the most famous natural bridges in the world.
The other followed the more difficult pass of Las Platas, farther to the
north. The solitude, barrenness and utter desolation of these Andean
passes can only be fully appreciated by those who have traversed them as
has the writer. Majestic Aconcagua looks down upon both routes, and all
around are lofty peaks which seem like giant sentinels guarding these
solitudes of nature from the invasion of man. Terrific wind and snow
storms are common, and the dust blows in clouds that are almost stifling
at times. It was an undertaking that would have appalled an ordinary man.
[Illustration: SAN MARTIN AND O’HIGGINS AT LA CUMBRE, CROSSING THE ANDES
INTO CHILE
Courtesy of the Bulletin of Pan-American Union]
But San Martin was no ordinary man. A high and lofty purpose thrilled his
soul and steeled his heart against all discouragement. An advance guard
of the Spaniards in the Uspallata pass was driven out by that wing of
his little army of four thousand men. Before reinforcements could come
up the two divisions had successfully accomplished the crossing and
were united. Disconcerted by the report that two armies had crossed the
Andes and were advancing against him, the Spanish commander retreated
to Santiago for reinforcements. With admirable forethought San Martin
chose his positions and awaited the conflict which was inevitable. The
two armies approached each other. The Spanish commander had a superior
force, composed of veterans of the peninsular wars. San Martin’s men
were inspired by an enthusiastic commander and a love of country. The
battle raged for hours until, surrounded on three sides by the enemy,
their artillery gone, a third of their number dead on the field of
battle, the Spanish forces broke and fled toward Santiago. Less than half
their number escaped death or capture. Thus was the decisive battle of
Chacabuco won by the patriots on the 12th of February, 1817, with a loss
of only twelve men killed. The next day the Spanish governor of Chile
was flying from the capital, and two days later the conquerors entered
that city. San Martin had won his first great victory, and was everywhere
hailed as a deliverer.
Steadfast in his purpose of driving the Spaniards from all of South
America the victor refused to be drawn into local fights. The Argentine
patriots were fighting among themselves and his friends wanted San Martin
to return and aid them. This he refused to do, and his friends were
embittered. Unwilling to accept the supreme authority in Chile, General
O’Higgins, who had materially assisted in the victory at Chacabuco,
was selected as executive. The independence of Chile was soon after
proclaimed. In connection with Lord Cochrane, an English officer, San
Martin began to devote all his energies to the building of a fleet, in
order to drive the hated Spaniards from Peru. Three years more were
spent in these preparations. At last, in 1820, a little fleet was ready,
and he sailed with a small army for that stronghold of Spanish power.
In four months, without a pitched battle, he sent the enemy flying from
Peru. Lima yielded and that country was declared to be independent.
He then assumed the rôle of protector of Peru and commander in chief
of the insurgent army. San Martin desired to coöperate with Bolivar,
and a personal interview was arranged between these two liberators at
Guayaquil. Bolivar refused. Without a word of explanation, without a
complaint, the disappointed San Martin gave up the command of the army,
resigned the dictatorship of Peru to Bolivar, and left that country.
There was no place for him in Argentina, except as a leader in civil
war, and this he would not indulge in. For honours or position he
cared not. Thus he went into voluntary exile. Rather than jeopardize
the independence secured after so much hard fighting, rather than take
part in the divisions of the factions fighting among themselves, he
sacrificed home, friends and honours, and even submitted to cruel charges
of ingratitude and cowardice. Few finer examples of unselfishness are
recorded in the annals of the world’s history. If not abler San Martin
was at least more unselfish than Bolivar.
General San Martin, heartbroken and disappointed, went to
Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France, and established his home. The remaining
years of his life were passed in obscurity and poverty, with only a
faithful daughter to comfort and cheer his old age. Once he started for
the land of his birth, and got as far as Montevideo. There he learned
that Argentina was in the throes of a revolution. Fearing that his
presence might be misconstrued, the old warrior sorrowfully turned his
face back toward France. The generosity of a Spaniard was all that
saved this hero from absolute want during the last few years of his
life, for he lived to a good old age. Reading was the only resource left
to brighten his later years, but approaching blindness deprived him of
even this pleasure during the last few months. On the 17th of August,
1850, General San Martin expired in the arms of his loving and faithful
daughter.
It was many years before Argentina fully appreciated the services of this
grand old man, and it was then too late to bring cheer to his broken
heart. His sacred remains were brought back to Buenos Aires and placed
in the Cathedral, where they now repose. Honours were decreed him. There
are few cities in that republic that have not erected a monument to his
memory. Chile and Peru have raised statues in his honour. Only a few
months ago the Argentine government dedicated a fine memorial in the
French city where he died. Last year, while Argentina was celebrating her
first centennial, the memory of the patriot San Martin was kept green,
and the youth were taught his great and unselfish love of country. It is
little wonder that the Argentinians do not go into raptures over the name
of Bolivar, but hold up their own San Martin as the real liberator of at
least four of the republics of South America.
For a half-century following the 25th of May, 1810, the history of
Argentina is a record of wars, revolutions and other disturbances. It
was the unavoidable conflict between centralizationists and autonomists,
between military and civil principles of government. A detailed account
of all these conflicts would be confusing and wearisome, and it can best
be treated in a consideration of those involved in the struggle.
An oligarchy grew up in Buenos Aires at first that sought to rule the
rest of the original viceroyalty in almost as arbitrary a manner as
Spain herself had done. This caused constant friction with the other
cities, each of which aspired to be an independent province. Military
chieftains arose here and there who defied the authority of that
oligarchy. Civil war broke out in numerous places, and bloody encounters
took place followed by much devastation. Within a few years nearly all
the provinces were practically independent of Buenos Aires and there
were a half dozen centres of authority, although that city did not yield
in her pretensions. San Martin was peremptorily ordered to return, but
refused. Belgrano attempted to lead his army there, but they revolted and
abandoned him, joining the local forces. The outside provinces themselves
split up through local differences. Cordoba lost Rioja, from the old
intendencia of Salta seceded Tucuman, Santiago del Estero and Catamarca,
and Cuyo split up into Mendoza, San Juan and San Luiz. Buenos Aires
itself was subdivided, losing Uruguay, Corrientes, Santa Fé and Entre
Rios. Thus were formed the provinces which have since become the units of
the Argentine confederation. The outside provinces were willing to unite
with Buenos Aires on an equal basis, but the people of that city would
not consent on such terms.
For years no really constructive statesman appeared out of the confusion
and selfishness of the oligarchies. At last there loomed above all the
personality of Rivadavia, who undertook the reformation of the laws
and their administration. He introduced numerous reforms and founded
a number of charitable institutions, and infused a more modern spirit
into the government. A congress met in Buenos Aires in 1825, in which
all the provinces were represented by delegates. By this time the
independence of the Argentine Confederation had been acknowledged by all
of the leading powers except Spain. Rivadavia and his followers gained
control of this assembly. In the following year he was elected president,
although this selection did not mean much because of the power of the
military chieftains, called caudillos. Buenos Aires was not satisfied
because of his plan to place the city under the direct control of the
federal government, much as Washington in the United States. At the
same time war broke out with Brazil. That country attempted a blockade,
but the doughty Irish sailor, William Brown, made this ineffective.
He destroyed a large part of their fleet. General Alvear defeated the
Brazilians at Ituzaingo, and this victory caused great rejoicing.
Negotiations for peace followed soon afterwards. Rivadavia’s envoy agreed
to allow Uruguay to remain a part of the empire of Brazil, and this
treachery aroused such a wave of indignation that he was compelled to
resign. He was succeeded by Dorrego. Dorrego did not rule long in peace.
The standard of revolt was raised in Buenos Aires and General Lavalle
declared himself as governor. Dorrego fled to the interior, but was
pursued. He was finally captured and, without even the form of a trial,
was shot by the direct order of Lavalle. This precipitated a bloody civil
war which soon desolated Argentina. The gauchos arose in revolt, and a
series of campaigns began in different sections of the country. It is the
leader of the southern gauchos who stands out as the strongest historical
character of this period.
One of the most picturesque figures in Argentine history is Juan Manuel
Rosas, a native of the province of Cordoba, who soon became the chief
figure in Argentine affairs. This man ruled the new nation with an iron
hand for almost two decades. He became an absolute tyrant and the most
bitterly hated man in the country. Descendant of a wealthy family he
devoted himself to pastoral pursuits from early life. By the time he was
twenty-five he was the undisputed leader of the gauchos on the southern
pampas, and had a full regiment of the half-breed horsemen of the plains
at his back and ready to do his bidding. He had been fairly well educated
and had ability, but this talent was not supported by character. He can
best be compared with the notorious Santa Anna, of Mexico, in his greed
for power, his cruelty and his craving for homage. Another similar type
was the half-savage Carrera of Guatemala.
Rosas first appeared in public life at the head of a troop of gaucho
cavalry, in a revolution that began in 1818. During the civil war he
gave valuable aid to the Federalist cause. After a decisive defeat of
the famous General Lavalle in 1829 he was appointed governor over the
province of Buenos Aires with the rank of Captain-General, and this
made him nominal head of Argentina. This event gave this monster his
first taste of power and whetted his insatiable appetite for more. The
remaining provinces were gradually subdued and one after another came
under the authority of this dictator, although thousands of lives were
lost in the conquest. As a rule no quarter was given, and the losing side
generally fought it out to the last man. On one occasion five hundred
prisoners were shot in cold blood at Tucuman. From the year 1832 the
power of Rosas became absolute. Says Mr. Akers: “Unitarian advocates
were hunted down like wild beasts. Rosas became suspicious of his own
generals, and one by one they disappeared. Quiroga was assassinated at
Cordoba; Lopez died suddenly in Buenos Aires; and Cullen, Reinafe and
Heredia were sentenced to death. Under the tyranny of Rosas human life
had small value. If any man was a danger to the dictatorial régime he was
murdered by a band of assassins retained for this purpose. Expression
of public opinion was rendered impossible. Men dared not think for
themselves, much less put into words their abhorrence of the dictator.”
The attempt of Rosas to close the Paraná to foreign commerce led to a
blockade of Buenos Aires by French and English warships in 1845, so that
this attempt failed. He also endeavoured to annex Uruguay, but foreign
influence prevented this also. These acts made him intensely jealous
of foreign governments. Nevertheless, with all foreign powers against
him, and with powerful forces in his own land opposing him, he ruled
Argentina with despotic tyranny for eighteen years. Rosas placed his
political favourites at the head of the provincial governments, but he
was not able to keep them loyal to his interests. His arbitrary acts
alienated his best friends. The longer he ruled the more united became
all other factions. A common hatred of the tyrant overshadowed all other
differences of opinion. Foreigners were excluded from the provinces,
everything imported or exported was required to be transhipped at Buenos
Aires in order that duties might be collected. It was not long until the
whole population was ready to support a rebellion. The provinces which
had placed this tyrant in power finally overthrew him.
The chief lieutenant of Rosas for many years had been General Urquiza,
whom he appointed governor of the province of Entre Rios. The
administration of Urquiza was successful, and he could always be counted
on to raise troops for Rosas from among the ranchmen of that province.
Urquiza was a “caudillo”, but had no particular thirst for power. At
last, in 1846, the rupture with the tyrant came, and from that time on
Urquiza led the fight against Rosas. Three times his efforts failed, but
the fourth time in alliance with some Brazilian and Uruguayan troops he
crossed the river with an army of twenty-four thousand, the largest army
ever assembled on South American soil up to that time. Rosas awaited
Urquiza at Buenos Aires and trusted all to a single battle. Of his army
half deserted him and many of his officers betrayed him. The result was a
disastrous defeat for the tyrant-dictator. When General Urquiza entered
Buenos Aires, Rosas fled the country. Clad as an English sailor he
escaped to a British man-of-war and was conveyed to England. He lived on
a farm near Southampton until his death on the 14th of March, 1877, upon
the proceeds of his ill-gotten wealth.