Jos Artigas and the Federal League in Uruguays War of Independence (18101820)

This is a history book that studies the thought and actions of Jos Gervasio Artigas throughout the decade of his prominence (1810 1820) as leader of the Federal League, which united his native territory of Uruguay to four neighboring provinces in todays Argentina. This was the period when the Spanish kings abdication propelled elites across that countrys former American colonies to hastily construct new local institutions to carry on governing functions and to assure order and stability. Within a few years that new leadership had to do battle against the armies sent by Spains new leadership that attempted to reassert its control. In the Banda Orientaltodays UruguayArtigas, with democratic and egalitarian values, enjoyed wide support among the rural poor as well as the landed elite. His military victories over the Spanish, and then his successful defense of provincial autonomy before the imperialist ambitions of Buenos Aires, account for the spread of his influence to neighboring provinces and the creation of the Federal League. His short-term successes infuriated powerful elites in both Buenos Aires and the Portuguese colonies of todays Brazil. These, allied to the newly potent British empire, then collaborated to bring about his defeat. Artigas career, as seen in retrospect, was riddled with contradiction and ambiguity, yet his record of achievements is worthy of remembrance and honor. The book provides information, largely ignored by previous historians, about his important dealings with three central figures in Argentinas independence movement: Generals Manuel Belgrano. Martn Gemes, and Jos de San Martn.