The Rise and Fall of Juan Manuel de Rosas: Argentina’s Turbulent Era
The First Government of Juan Manuel de Rosas (1829-1832)
Rise to Power
Juan Manuel de Rosas assumed the governorship of Buenos Aires Province with the support of both the upper and lower social sectors. He was seen as a figure capable of establishing order and peace. Rosas had the backing of wealthy landowners, as well as the working classes, gauchos, freedmen, and even slaves. He was granted extraordinary powers by the legislature, allowing him to make swift decisions and suspend individual liberties, including the power to detain individuals without judicial intervention.
Early Measures and Policies
Rosas’ government quickly established order and peace in the province. He organized finances and established strict control over public spending. His initial measures demonstrated his intention to abandon the conciliatory politics of the past and affirm the Federalist triumph.
He established the use of the red ribbon as a symbol of mandatory Federalism, to be worn by civilians, clergy, and the military.
The Unitarian League and the Federal Pact
The Unitarian League, composed of Córdoba, La Rioja, Santiago del Estero, and Catamarca, formed an offensive and defensive alliance with the goal of constitutionally organizing the nation.
In contrast, the Federal Pact was signed between the provinces of Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, and Corrientes. This pact established:
- A defensive and offensive alliance against any external or internal attack.
- Free transit of people and commerce.
- The commitment not to grant asylum to any criminal fleeing from one province to another.
The Desert Campaign
When Rosas’ first term ended, he was offered a second term on the condition that his extraordinary powers be renewed. When these were denied, Rosas refused and instead led the Desert Campaign, a military expedition to the south of Buenos Aires with two main objectives:
- Acquire more land for livestock production.
- Obtain more salt, a fundamental raw material for the meat salting industry.
The problem was that much of this land was inhabited by indigenous peoples (the Ranqueles, Pampas, and Tehuelches). Rosas aimed to displace them further south, first through negotiation, and if necessary, through force.
During this period, Buenos Aires was governed by three weak governors heavily influenced by Rosas’ wife, Encarnación Ezcurra, who was also the founder of the infamous Mazorca, a paramilitary group used for political repression.
By the end of 1834, the Desert Campaign had concluded, providing 2,900 square leagues of land for livestock and reducing indigenous resistance. Rosas’ political prestige increased significantly, bolstered by a powerful army and the unconditional support of the rural population. The legislature awarded him the title of “Hero of the Desert.”
The Assassination of Facundo Quiroga
Rosas’ political rival, Facundo Quiroga, was sent on a peace mission to the north of the country. On his return through Córdoba, he was ambushed and killed in Barranca Yaco. Despite knowing the risks, Quiroga had chosen not to travel with an escort.
The Second Government of Juan Manuel de Rosas (1835-1852)
Consolidation of Power and the Confederation
Rosas’ second term saw the consolidation of his power, effectively establishing a legal dictatorship based on a law passed by the Junta of Representatives and endorsed by popular vote. He imposed a national organization known as the Argentine Confederation, based on the Federal Pact of 1831 and the delegation of powers from the provinces. Throughout his rule, Rosas maintained his stance against the need for a national congress and constitution.
As the head of foreign relations and matters of peace and war for the Confederation, Rosas held significant powers, including:
- Conduct of foreign relations.
- Interpretation and application of the Federal Pact of 1831.
- Intervention in provinces where the Federalist cause was threatened.
- Supreme command of the Federal armies.
- Exercise of the right of national patronage.
- Trial of crimes considered Federal.
- Control over river traffic on the Paraná and Uruguay rivers.
- Control over the circulation of written materials entering the country.
The Rise of Justo José de Urquiza and the Anti-Rosas Alliance
Rosas’ control over river navigation, particularly the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, benefited Buenos Aires but disadvantaged the provinces of the Littoral. This led to the rise of Justo José de Urquiza, the caudillo of Entre Ríos. While both were Federalist governors and wealthy landowners, they differed on the need for a constitution and free navigation of the rivers.
Urquiza skillfully forged an alliance against Rosas, which included Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. These countries provided men, weapons, and financial support for the anti-Rosas campaign.
The Pronouncement of Urquiza and the Battle of Caseros
In 1850, tensions escalated, culminating in Urquiza’s Pronouncement, a decree from the province of Entre Ríos publicly challenging Rosas’ authority. Entre Ríos withdrew its delegation of power to Rosas, effectively declaring war.
The Battle of Caseros in 1852 marked the decisive defeat of Rosas’ forces. Urquiza, leading the Grand Army, overwhelmed Rosas’ troops. Rosas, realizing defeat was imminent, fled to the British embassy and eventually went into exile in England. He died in 1877, and his remains were later repatriated to Argentina.
Consequences of the Battle of Caseros
The Battle of Caseros had significant consequences for Argentina:
- The end of Rosas’ regime (Rosismo).
- The beginning of the National Organization period, leading to the sanctioning of the Constitution of 1853.
- The return of political exiles.
- The rise of Urquiza as the most important political figure.
- The shift of power from Buenos Aires to the Littoral.
The Agreement of San Nicolás and the Secession of Buenos Aires
The Agreement of San Nicolás in 1852 established the validity of the Federal Pact of 1831 and called for a General Constituent Congress in Santa Fe. However, Buenos Aires, under the leadership of Bartolomé Mitre, opposed the agreement and seceded from the Confederation.
The Battle of Cepeda and the Pact of San José de Flores
The Battle of Cepeda in 1859 saw Urquiza’s forces defeat the Buenos Aires army. This led to the Pact of San José de Flores, which brought Buenos Aires back into the Confederation, albeit with certain concessions.
The Battle of Pavón and the Consolidation of National Unity
The Battle of Pavón in 1861 marked the final confrontation between Buenos Aires and the Confederation. Mitre’s victory paved the way for the unification of Argentina under the leadership of Buenos Aires, with the Constitution of 1853 as the guiding document.
Conclusion
The era of Juan Manuel de Rosas was a turbulent and defining period in Argentine history. His strongman rule, while bringing order and stability, was also marked by authoritarianism and political repression. The eventual overthrow of Rosas and the subsequent battles for national unity ultimately led to the formation of the modern Argentine state.