|
Juan Manuel de Rosas (1793-1877) emerged as the most powerful political figure in the United Provinces in 1829, and ruled the nation until his ouster in 1852. His opponents, particularly Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, depicted Rosas as a quintessential caudillo. While there is much truth to this—Rosas basically ruled on behalf of the large landowners of his own province, and knew the ways of the countryside well—he also achieved what the Unitarios could not: a modicum of national unity and international standing that strengthened currents of Argentine nationalism for the future. But he ruled by force, alienating not only his liberal opponents, but also fellow caudillos who resented the dominance of Buenos Aires. His dictatorship was brought to an end at the battle of Caseros in 1852 through the combined forces of caudillos like Justo José Urquiza, Unitarios, and Brazilian support. Rosas died in exile in England in 1877, and though revered by his admirers, remains a controversial figure to this day.
see also Rule of Rosas and Critics of Rosas
|
