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José de San Martín

 
José De San Martín

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José de San Martín



 
 
José Francisco de San Martín Matorras, also known as José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
 general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain
Spain

Spain or the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in Southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though Espa?a , Estado espa?ol and Naci?n espa?ola are used interchangeably....
.

Born on February 25, 1778 in Yapeyú
Yapeyú, Corrientes

Yapey? is a town in the provinces of Argentina of Corrientes Province, Argentina, in the San Mart?n Department, Corrientes. It has about 2,000 inhabitants as per the , and it is known throughout the country because it was the birthplace of General Jos? de San Mart?n , hero of the Argentine War of Independence....
, Corrientes
Corrientes Province

Corrientes is a Provinces of Argentina in northeast Argentina, in the Mesopotamia, Argentina. Its name means "currents" or "rapids" in Spanish....
, he left his mother country at the early age of seven and studied in an aristocratic school in Madrid
Madrid

Madrid is the Capital and largest city of Spain. It is the Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its Madrid metropolitan area is the Largest urban areas of the European Union in the European Union after Paris aire urbaine, Greater London Urban Area, a...
, Spain
Spain

Spain or the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in Southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though Espa?a , Estado espa?ol and Naci?n espa?ola are used interchangeably....
, where he met and befriended Chile
Chile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean....
an Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins

Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme , South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with Jos? de San Mart?n – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spain rule in the Chilean War of Independence....
.

In 1808, after joining the Spanish forces to fight against the French
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
, and participating in several battles such as the Battle of Bailén
Battle of Bailén

The Battle of Bail?n was contested in 1808 between the Spain Spanish Army, led by Generals Francisco Javier Casta?os, 1st Duke of Bail?n and Theodor von Reding, and Pierre-Antoine, comte Dupont de l'?tang Army Corps of the First French Empire French Army....
 and Battle of Albuera
Battle of Albuera

The Battle of Albuera was an indecisive battle during the Peninsular War. A mixed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Spain, and Portugal corps engaged elements of the French Arm?e du Midi at the small Spain village of La Albuera, about 20 kilometres south of the frontier fortress-town of Badajoz, Spain....
, San Martín started making contact with South American supporters of independence.

In 1812, he set sail for Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southern shore of the R?o de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent....
 from England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
, and offered his services to the United Provinces of South America
United Provinces of South America

The United Provinces of South America was the original name of a state that would become the United Provinces of the R?o de la Plata which would then become Argentina....
 (present-day Argentina
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
).

After the Battle of San Lorenzo
Battle of San Lorenzo

The Battle of San Lorenzo was a military engagement of the Argentine War of Independence, between realistas , led by General Jos? Zavala, and the rebel forces of the Granaderos a Caballo , the cavalry elite unit led by General Jos? de San Mart?n....
 in 1813, and some time in command of the Army of the North during 1814, he started his plan to attack Lima
Lima

Lima is the Capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chill?n River, R?mac River and Lur?n River rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean....
.






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José Francisco de San Martín Matorras, also known as José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
 general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain
Spain

Spain or the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in Southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though Espa?a , Estado espa?ol and Naci?n espa?ola are used interchangeably....
.

Born on February 25, 1778 in Yapeyú
Yapeyú, Corrientes

Yapey? is a town in the provinces of Argentina of Corrientes Province, Argentina, in the San Mart?n Department, Corrientes. It has about 2,000 inhabitants as per the , and it is known throughout the country because it was the birthplace of General Jos? de San Mart?n , hero of the Argentine War of Independence....
, Corrientes
Corrientes Province

Corrientes is a Provinces of Argentina in northeast Argentina, in the Mesopotamia, Argentina. Its name means "currents" or "rapids" in Spanish....
, he left his mother country at the early age of seven and studied in an aristocratic school in Madrid
Madrid

Madrid is the Capital and largest city of Spain. It is the Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its Madrid metropolitan area is the Largest urban areas of the European Union in the European Union after Paris aire urbaine, Greater London Urban Area, a...
, Spain
Spain

Spain or the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in Southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though Espa?a , Estado espa?ol and Naci?n espa?ola are used interchangeably....
, where he met and befriended Chile
Chile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean....
an Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins

Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme , South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with Jos? de San Mart?n – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spain rule in the Chilean War of Independence....
.

In 1808, after joining the Spanish forces to fight against the French
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
, and participating in several battles such as the Battle of Bailén
Battle of Bailén

The Battle of Bail?n was contested in 1808 between the Spain Spanish Army, led by Generals Francisco Javier Casta?os, 1st Duke of Bail?n and Theodor von Reding, and Pierre-Antoine, comte Dupont de l'?tang Army Corps of the First French Empire French Army....
 and Battle of Albuera
Battle of Albuera

The Battle of Albuera was an indecisive battle during the Peninsular War. A mixed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Spain, and Portugal corps engaged elements of the French Arm?e du Midi at the small Spain village of La Albuera, about 20 kilometres south of the frontier fortress-town of Badajoz, Spain....
, San Martín started making contact with South American supporters of independence.

In 1812, he set sail for Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southern shore of the R?o de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent....
 from England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
, and offered his services to the United Provinces of South America
United Provinces of South America

The United Provinces of South America was the original name of a state that would become the United Provinces of the R?o de la Plata which would then become Argentina....
 (present-day Argentina
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
).

After the Battle of San Lorenzo
Battle of San Lorenzo

The Battle of San Lorenzo was a military engagement of the Argentine War of Independence, between realistas , led by General Jos? Zavala, and the rebel forces of the Granaderos a Caballo , the cavalry elite unit led by General Jos? de San Mart?n....
 in 1813, and some time in command of the Army of the North during 1814, he started his plan to attack Lima
Lima

Lima is the Capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chill?n River, R?mac River and Lur?n River rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean....
. This involved first creating an army in Cuyo, liberating Chile
Chile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean....
, and then attacking Lima by sea.

In 1817, he crossed the Andes
Andes

The Andes form the world's longest exposed mountain range. They lie as a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America. The range is over 7,000 km long, 200-700 km wide , and of an average height of about 4,000 m ....
 from Mendoza
Mendoza Province

Mendoza is one of the Provinces of Argentina of Argentina, located in the western central part of the country in the Cuyo, Argentina region. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Juan Province, Argentina, San Luis Province, La Pampa,and Neuqu?n Province....
 to Chile
Chile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean....
, and prevailed over the Spanish forces after the Battle of Chacabuco
Battle of Chacabuco

The Battle of Chacabuco, fought during the Chilean War of Independence, occurred on February 12, 1817. The rebel army led by Jos? de San Mart?n defeated the Spanish force led by Rafael Maroto....
 and Battle of Maipú
Battle of Maipú

The Battle of Maip? was a battle fought near Santiago, Chile on April 5 1818 between South American rebels and Spanish royalists, during the South American wars of independence....
 (1818), liberating Chile. San Martín seized partial control of the viceroyalty's capital (Lima
Lima

Lima is the Capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chill?n River, R?mac River and Lur?n River rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean....
) on July 12, 1821 and was appointed Protector of Perú. Peruvian independence was officially declared on July 28, 1821. Post closed-door meeting with fellow libertador Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar

Sim?n Jos? Antonio de la Sant?sima Trinidad Bol?var Palacios y Blanco ? more commonly known as Sim?n Bol?var ? was, together with the Argentina general Jos? de San Mart?n, one of the most important leaders of Spanish America's successful struggle for independence....
 at Guayaquil
Guayaquil

Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil, is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, as well as that nation's main port. Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil....
, Ecuador
Ecuador

Ecuador , officially the , literally, "Republic of the equator") is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, by Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west....
 on 22 July 1822, Bolívar took over the task of fully liberating Peru. San Martín unexpectedly left Perú and resigned the command of his army, excluding himself from politics and the military, and he moved to France
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
 in 1824. The details of the 22 July meeting would be a subject of debate by later historians.

Together with Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar

Sim?n Jos? Antonio de la Sant?sima Trinidad Bol?var Palacios y Blanco ? more commonly known as Sim?n Bol?var ? was, together with the Argentina general Jos? de San Mart?n, one of the most important leaders of Spanish America's successful struggle for independence....
, San Martín is regarded as one of the Liberators
Libertadores

Libertadores refers to the leaders of the South American Wars of Independence from Spain and Portugal.They were largely bourgeois Spanish Criollo peopless influenced by liberalism and, in most cases, with military training in the metropolis....
 of Spanish South America. He is the national hero
Hero

A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, the offspring of a mortal and a deity,their Greek hero cult being one of the most distinctive features of Religion in ancient Greece....
 of Argentina. The Order of the Liberator General San Martin
Order of the Liberator General San Martin

The Order of the Liberator General San Martin is the highest decoration in Argentina.The Grades are:*Collar *Grand Cross *Grand Officer *Commander ...
  in his honour is the highest decoration in Argentina.

Birth

Son of Spaniard
Spain

Spain or the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in Southern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though Espa?a , Estado espa?ol and Naci?n espa?ola are used interchangeably....
 Juan de San Martín y Gómez, born in Cervatos de la Cueza
Cervatos de la Cueza

Cervatos de la Cueza is a municipality located in the Palencia , Castile and Le?n, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 340 inhabitants....
 on February 12, 1728, and wife Gregoria Matorras, he was born the fifth and last child in February 25, 1778 in Yapeyú
Yapeyú, Corrientes

Yapey? is a town in the provinces of Argentina of Corrientes Province, Argentina, in the San Mart?n Department, Corrientes. It has about 2,000 inhabitants as per the , and it is known throughout the country because it was the birthplace of General Jos? de San Mart?n , hero of the Argentine War of Independence....
, a small village in Corrientes
Corrientes Province

Corrientes is a Provinces of Argentina in northeast Argentina, in the Mesopotamia, Argentina. Its name means "currents" or "rapids" in Spanish....
, Argentina
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
.

His father was a Colonel
Colonel

Colonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures....
 in office as Lieutenant
Lieutenant

Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service, emergency medical services or police commissioned officer military rank.Lieutenant may also appear as part of a title used in various other organisations with a codified command structure....
 Governor
Governor

A governor is a governing official, usually the Executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state. In federations, a governor may be the title of each appointed or elected politician who governs a constitutive state....
 of Yapeyú beginning in 1774. In 1781, the family moved to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southern shore of the R?o de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent....
.

Spain

In 1785, his father was transferred again, this time to Spain. And so the family moved to Spain, and San Martín enrolled in Madrid's Real Seminario de Nobles where he studied from 1785. While at the Real Seminario de Nobles he met and became friends with Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins

Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme , South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with Jos? de San Mart?n – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spain rule in the Chilean War of Independence....
.

In 1789, aged eleven, San Martín left the Real Seminario de Nobles and enrolled in the Regiment of Murcia, starting his military career as a cadet in the murices infantry unit

Military career in Europe

After joining the Regiment of Murcia
Murcia

Murcia is the capital city of the Region of Murcia, located at the river Segura in south-eastern Spain. Its population is 433,850 , and the population of its metropolitan area is 743,326 ranking as the ninth-largest metropolitan area of Spain....
, San Martín participated in several campaigns in Africa, fighting in Oran
Oran

Oran is a city on the Mediterranean Sea coast in northwestern Algeria. Oran marked the largest westernmost metropolitan area of the then Ottoman Empire....
 against the Moors
Moors

In the Spanish language, the term for Moors is Moro; in Portuguese language the word is mouro. There seems to have been some confusion about the relationship of the word moro/mouro to the word moreno , both from Greek language ma?ros, i.e....
 in 1791 among other places. Later, by the end of the First Coalition
First Coalition

The First Coalition was the first major concerted effort of multiple European power s to contain French First Republic. It took shape after the French Revolutionary Wars had already begun....
 of the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states....
 in 1797, his rank was raised to Sub-Lieutenant for his actions against the French
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
 in the Pyrenees
Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are a mountain range in southwest Europe that form a natural border between France and Spain. They separate the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of continental Europe, and extend for about from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea ....
. On August of the same year, after several engagements, his regiment surrendered to British
Kingdom of Great Britain

The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a country in North-West Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1801....
 naval forces in 1798. Soon afterward, he continued to fight in southern Spain, mainly in Cádiz
Cádiz

C?diz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the province of C?diz, one of eight which make up the Autonomous communities of Spain of Andalusia....
 and Gibraltar
Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The territory shares a border with Spain to the north....
 with the rank of Second Captain of light infantry. He continued to fight Portugal on the side of Spain in the War of the Oranges
War of the Oranges

The War of the Oranges was a brief conflict in 1801 in which France and Spain fought against Portugal, and was considered a precedent of the Peninsular War....
 in 1801, and was soon after promoted to captain in 1804.

When the Peninsular War
Peninsular War

The Peninsular War or Spanish War of Independence was a contest between First French Empire and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Kingdom of Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars....
 started in 1808, San Martín was assigned ayudante (Spanish
Spanish language

Spanish or Castilian is a Romance languages that originated in northern Spain, and gradually spread in the Kingdom of Castile and evolved into the principal language of government and trade....
, aide) of the First Regiment Voluntarios de Campo Mayor. After his actions against the French, he became Captain of the Regiment of Borbon. On July 19, 1808, Spanish and French forces engaged in the Battle of Bailén
Battle of Bailén

The Battle of Bail?n was contested in 1808 between the Spain Spanish Army, led by Generals Francisco Javier Casta?os, 1st Duke of Bail?n and Theodor von Reding, and Pierre-Antoine, comte Dupont de l'?tang Army Corps of the First French Empire French Army....
, in which Spanish forces prevailed, allowing the Army of Andalucia to attack and seize Madrid
Madrid

Madrid is the Capital and largest city of Spain. It is the Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its Madrid metropolitan area is the Largest urban areas of the European Union in the European Union after Paris aire urbaine, Greater London Urban Area, a...
. For his actions during this battle, San Martín was decorated with a gold medal, and his rank raised to Lieutenant Colonel.

While in Spain, San Martín became acquainted with several criollos
Creole peoples

The term Creole and its cognates in other languages ? such as crioulo, criollo, cr?ole, kriolu, criol, kreyol, kriulo, kriol, krio, kreol, etc....
 (creoles), and became aware of the independence movements in America.

On May 16, 1811, he participated in the Battle of Albuera
Battle of Albuera

The Battle of Albuera was an indecisive battle during the Peninsular War. A mixed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Spain, and Portugal corps engaged elements of the French Arm?e du Midi at the small Spain village of La Albuera, about 20 kilometres south of the frontier fortress-town of Badajoz, Spain....
 under the command of general William Carr Beresford. During the battle he met Scottish
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
 Lord MacDuff (James Duff, 4th Earl of Fife) who introduced him to the lodges that were plotting the South American independence efforts. San Martín requested resignation from the Spanish army, which was granted.

Throughout his time serving in Spain he experienced hindrances and prejudices in his career and life in general because he was born in the Americas. Although he only lived there for a short time and had Spanish parents his career and social mobility was limited.

England

With the help of Lord MacDuff, San Martín obtained a passport to England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
 where he met several criollos
Creole peoples

The term Creole and its cognates in other languages ? such as crioulo, criollo, cr?ole, kriolu, criol, kreyol, kriulo, kriol, krio, kreol, etc....
, American-born Spaniards like himself, who were part of the Logia de los Caballeros Racionales (Lodge of the Rational Knights) founded by the Venezuela
Venezuela

Venezuela , officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a country on the northern coast of South America.The country comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands located off the Venezuelan coastline in the Caribbean Sea....
n Francisco de Miranda
Francisco de Miranda

Sebasti?n Francisco de Miranda y Rodr?guez , commonly known as Francisco de Miranda, was a Venezuelan revolutionary. Although his own plans for the independence of the Spanish Empire failed, he is regarded as a forerunner of Sim?n Bol?var, who during the Hispanic American wars of independence successfully liberated a vast portion of So...
. According to Argentine
Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is a country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city....
 historian Felipe Pigna
Felipe Pigna

Felipe Pigna, born in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires province, in 1959, is an Argentina historian and writer....
, San Martín was introduced to the Maitland Plan
Maitland Plan

Maitland Plan , refers to a plan created by Scotland Major General Thomas Maitland in 1800. The plan was titled Plan to capture Buenos Aires and Chile, and then emancipate Peru and Quito....
 by members of the lodge founded by Miranda and Lord MacDuff.

In 1812, San Martín set sail to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southern shore of the R?o de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent....
 aboard the British frigate
Frigate

A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
 George Canning.

South America

San Martin's Grave

Argentina

Following his arrival in Buenos Aires on March 9, 1812, his rank of Lieutenant Colonel was recognized by the Triumvirate
First Triumvirate (Argentina)

The First Triumvirate was the executive organ of government that replaced the Junta Grande, and governed Argentina from 1811 and 1812....
 and he was thus entrusted with the creation of the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers (":es:Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo"), which would become the best-trained military arm of the revolution.

During 1812, he focused on training troops by following the modern warfare techniques he had acquired during the Peninsular War. With Carlos María de Alvear
Carlos María de Alvear

Carlos Mar?a de Alvear was an Argentina soldier and statesman, Supreme Director of the United Provinces of the River Plate in 1815....
 and José Matias Zapiola, he also entablished the Logia Lautaro
Logia Lautaro

The Lautaro Lodge was a revolutionary Masonic lodge active in Latin American politics in the Nineteenth Century.It was for many years believed to have been founded in 1797 in London by Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda....
, an offspring in Buenos Aires of the independence lodges in London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
 and Cádiz. On August of the same year, he married María de los Remedios de Escalada, a young woman from one of the local wealthy families.

In October, when news of the victory of the Army of the North commanded by Manuel Belgrano
Manuel Belgrano

Manuel Jos? Joaqu?n del Coraz?n de Jes?s Belgrano, usually referred to as Manuel Belgrano was an Argentina economist, lawyer, politician, and military leader, born in Buenos Aires....
 reached Buenos Aires, the Lautaro Lodge initiated political pressure, backed by San Martín armed forces and popular demand, to impose its candidates into government, thus forcing the First Triumvirate to an end and initiating the Second Triumvirate
Second Triumvirate (Argentina)

The Second Triumvirate was the governing body of the United Provinces of the R?o de la Plata that followed the First Triumvirate in 1812, shortly after the May Revolution, and lasted 2 years....
 with members Juan José Paso
Juan José Paso

Juan Jos? Paso, was an Argentina politician who participated in the events that started the Argentine War of Independence known as May Revolution of 1810....
, Nicolás Rodríguez Peña
Nicolás Rodríguez Peña

Nicol?s Rodriguez Pe?a was an Argentina. Born in Buenos Aires in April 1775, he worked in commerce which allowed him to ammass a considerable fortune....
, and Antonio Álvarez Jonte
Antonio Álvarez Jonte

Antonio ?lvarez Jonte was an Argentina politician. He was born in Madrid in 1784 and moved with parents to C?rdoba, Argentina when young. He studied law at C?rdoba University and obtained his doctorate at the Real Universidad de San Felipe in Santiago de Chile....
 (Rodríguez Peña and Álvarez Jonte were members of the lodge). This new government strengthened the position held by the Army, and decided to lay siege to Montevideo
Montevideo

Montevideo is the largest city, the capital and chief port of Uruguay. Montevideo is the only city in the country with a population over 1,000,000....
, which was controlled by loyalists to the Spanish Crown. On December 7, 1812, San Martín was promoted to Colonel.

Beginning of his military career in South America
Although not technically a battle (in Spanish the battle is referred as Combate de San Lorenzo ("San Lorenzo Combat")), references in English language refer to the event as the "Battle of San Lorenzo
Battle of San Lorenzo

The Battle of San Lorenzo was a military engagement of the Argentine War of Independence, between realistas , led by General Jos? Zavala, and the rebel forces of the Granaderos a Caballo , the cavalry elite unit led by General Jos? de San Mart?n....
".

On January 28, 1813, San Martín with his Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers was sent to protect the Paraná River
Paraná River

This article is about the second-longest river in South America: For the shorter river in Goi?s, central Brazil, see Paran? RiverThe Paran? River is a river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina over a course of some 2,570 kilometers ....
 shore from the Spanish Fleet ships under command of General José Zavala. On the morning of February 3, the Spanish forces disembarked and fought against San Martín in the Battle of San Lorenzo.

During the fight, San Martín's horse was shot dead and fell, trapping one of San Martín's legs underneath the dead horse. This made him an easy target, but Sergeant Juan Bautista Cabral
Juan Bautista Cabral

Juan Bautista Cabral was an Argentina soldier of the Granaderos a Caballo Regiment who died in the Battle of San Lorenzo, while he was aiding then Colonel Jos? de San Mart?n, whose horse had fallen to enemy fire....
 helped him extricate himself. While he was helping the Colonel, Cabral was attacked himself, and died from his wounds after the battle. After the battle, San Martín was promoted to General. This was San Martín's first military action in South America.

Army of the North
After the victories of the Army of the North in the battles of Tucuman
Battle of Tucumán

The Battle of Tucum?n was a battle fought on 24 September and 25 September 1812 near the Argentina city of San Miguel de Tucum?n, during the Argentine War of Independence....
 and Salta
Battle of Salta

The Battle of Salta took place on February 20 1813 on the plains of Casta?ares, near the present-day Argentina city of Salta, during the Argentine War of Independence....
, the Army commanded by Manuel Belgrano lost ground after defeats in the Battles of Vilcapugio
Battle of Vilcapugio

The Battle of Vilcapugio was fought on October 1, 1813 during the Campaign of Alto Peru in the Argentine War of Independence, where the pro-independence forces led by General Manuel Belgrano were defeated by the pro-Spanish Royalists, led by Joaquin de la Pezuela....
 (October 1) and Ayohuma
Battle of Ayohuma

The Battle of Ayohuma was fought on November 14, 1813, during the Upper Peru Campaign of the Argentine War of Independence. The Independentist forces of the Northern Army led by General Manuel Belgrano were defeated by the Royalists, led by Joaqu?n de la Pezuela....
 (November 14, 1813). The Triumvirate then decided to send San Martín to the North with a small infantry army and his cavarly regiment.

After joining the defeated Army of the North in Yatasto, he took command in January 1814, Belgrano becoming second in command. During his command, the Army camped in Tucumán
Tucumán

San Miguel de Tucum?n is the largest city in northern Argentina, with a population of 525,853 per the . The metropolitan area totals 806,000, making it the fifth-largest in the country....
, where he started instructing the troops, created a new military school, and sent Colonel Martín Miguel de Güemes
Martín Miguel de Güemes

Mart?n Miguel de G?emes was a military leader and popular caudillo who defended northwestern Argentina from the Spain during the Argentine War of Independence....
 to fight against loyalists coming from Peru to gain time. However, after minor struggles in Salta
Salta Province

Salta is a Provinces of Argentina of Argentina, located in the northwest of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the east clockwise Formosa Province, Chaco Province, Santiago del Estero Province, Tucum?n Province and Catamarca Province....
 and Jujuy
Jujuy Province

Jujuy is a Provinces of Argentina of Argentina, located in the extreme northwest of the country, at the borders with Chile and Bolivia. The only neighboring Argentine province is Salta Province to the east and south....
, news of the victory of Commander Guillermo Brown against the loyalists' navy, and the resulting blockade of Montevideo, made the loyalist forces from Peru retreat to regroup.

During his command of the Army of the North, San Martín confirmed one of the reasons behind the Maitland Plan
Maitland Plan

Maitland Plan , refers to a plan created by Scotland Major General Thomas Maitland in 1800. The plan was titled Plan to capture Buenos Aires and Chile, and then emancipate Peru and Quito....
's scheme: royalist forces that came down from Upper Peru (roughly present day Bolivia
Bolivia

The Republic of Bolivia , named after Sim?n Bol?var, is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil on the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina on the south, and Chile and Peru on the west....
) were easily defeated by the independentist forces in the valleys of Salta and Jujuy. But because of the geographical advantage, forces attacking Upper Peru were easily defeated by the royalists for the very same reasons.

Governor of Cuyo
In Córdoba
Córdoba, Argentina

C?rdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Punilla Valley on the Primero River, about northwest from Buenos Aires....
, San Martín continued preparing his plan of attacking Lima
Lima

Lima is the Capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chill?n River, R?mac River and Lur?n River rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean....
 — the Capital city of the Viceroyalty of Peru
Viceroyalty of Peru

Created in 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was a Spanish colonial administrative district that originally contained most of Spanish Empire South America, governed from the capital of Lima....
 — through Chile
Chile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean....
. He realized that it would be impossible to enter the large city without having conquered the land to the south. To this end, he requested to be appointed governor of Cuyo. Later, Juan Pueyrredón was sent by the provisional government of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, and gave San Martín full support on his Liberatory Campaign .

One month after he took office, royalist forces defeated rebel forces under Bernardo O'Higgins' command (O'Higgins fled to the Andes). San Martín strengthened his espionage network with the so-called Guerra de zapa ("War of Zapa"), a pun on the expression Trabajo de zapa, which means hidden work done slyly towards some particular aim. He kept his troops in Mendoza to train and prepare them.

On this behalf, San Martín sent his Aide-de-camp and amateur cartographer Álvarez Condarco (carrying an Act of Independence to Chile as an excuse) through Los Patos pass (the longest path), and returned through the Uspallata (the shortest one), to perform reconnaissance of several locations, mainly the Chacabuco
Chacabuco

Chacabuco is one of the many abandoned nitrate or "saltpeter" towns in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Other nitrate towns of the Atacama Desert include Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works....
 area. Other measures included a disinformation
Disinformation

Disinformation is falsity or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately. It is synonymous with and sometimes called Black propaganda. It may include the distribution of forgery documents, manuscripts, and photographs, or propagation of malicious rumors and Fabrication intelligence....
 campaign in Chile by sending fake information on the possible attack routes, and information gathering of the situation in Chile in order to prevent a possible attack from there. He fooled natives also having them do his military favors and not reciprocating.

Army of the Andes
Army of the Andes
During his governorship of Cuyo, he organized the Army of Cuyo. On 8 November 1814 he created the 11th Battalion of Infantry which included the Corps of Chile , which was under command of Argentine Lieutenant Colonel Juan Gregorio de las Heras
Juan Gregorio de las Heras

Grand Marshal Juan Gregorio de las Heras was an Argentina soldier who took part in the South American Wars of Independence and was also a governor of the provinces of Argentina of Buenos Aires Province....
. These Chilean corps were remnants of the army that had fled from Chile after the Battle of Rancagua. By October 1815, after contributions of several provinces, the army had 1,600 infantry soldiers, 1,000 men in cavalry, 200 men in artillery and 10 cannons. However many problems arose, such as low supplies of powder, iron, and uniforms. Because existing local industries were not enough to supply the Army of the North, San Martín handled the problem by creating local industries in Cuyo to meet the requirements of the army he was creating.

On the other hand, despite having the support of the Supreme Director of the United Provinces of Río de la Plata, the support was far from being at a national level. His efforts were often undermined by the skepticism of some local leaders about the viability of the campaign against the Viceroyalty of Peru through the Andes
Andes

The Andes form the world's longest exposed mountain range. They lie as a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America. The range is over 7,000 km long, 200-700 km wide , and of an average height of about 4,000 m ....
. However, on August 1, 1816, Pueyrredón renamed the army to Army of the Andes (Spanish, Ejército de los Andes) and San Martín was appointed General in chief, and gave the army national priority. By the end San Martin’s army had grown immensely.

Crossing of the Andes
In September 1816, San Martín relocated his Army of the Andes to Plumerillo, in the northern part of Mendoza Province
Mendoza Province

Mendoza is one of the Provinces of Argentina of Argentina, located in the western central part of the country in the Cuyo, Argentina region. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Juan Province, Argentina, San Luis Province, La Pampa,and Neuqu?n Province....
, where he finished the details to start his crossing of the Andes. The army was divided in two main columns and four minor ones, keeping the decided paths in secret.

On January 18, 1817, a main column parted with the artillery to Chile through Uspallata
Uspallata

Uspallata is a village, and an administrative district, in Argentina in a scenic location on the road which crosses the Andes between Mendoza, Argentina and Santiago, Chile in Chile....
, under command of General Las Heras, reaching Las Cuevas on February 1, 1817. The second main column, led by San Martín, left on January 19 through Los Patos pass, and reached San Andrés de Tártaro on February 8, where he was later joined by Las Heras, concluding the first part of the crossing. By the time the main columns reunited, both had already had minor skirmishes: the first column had fought royalists in Potrerillos
Potrerillos, Mendoza

Potrerillos is an area of the Luj?n de Cuyo Department of the provinces of Argentina of Mendoza Province, Argentina. It includes a number of small settlements along Provincial Routes 82 and 89, National Route 7 , and the rivers Blanco River and Mendoza River....
, while the forces led by San Martín had fought the Battles of Achupallas and Las Coimas.

The crossing of the Andes was extremely difficult and took 21 days due to high altitudes and low temperature.

Campaign in Chile

After crossing the Andes and entering Chile, the Spanish royalist forces were taking positions in Mount Cuesta Vieja, preparing themselves for the confrontation against the Army of the Andes.

Battle of Chacabuco
Battle of Chacabuco
By February 10, 1817, the Army of the Andes was in the Aconcagua
Aconcagua

Cerro Aconcagua is the Extremes of Altitude in the Americas, and the highest mountain outside Asia. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Argentina Provinces of Argentina of Mendoza Province....
 valley, and the Spanish royalist forces had not still taken full positions. San Martín then took the initiative and hastened preparations for his attack. Despite a severe attack of Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic disease inflammation that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks the joints producing a inflammatory synovitis that often progresses to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints....
, San Martín commanded the battle, and seeing the Spanish forces under numerical inferiority and considering the surprise factor, developed a strategy for the Spanish forces to surrender, avoiding bloodshed. The charge was a stalemate until Soler's division joined the battle turning the odds in favor of the patriot side.

After the battle, the royalist forces had suffered five hundred casualties and six hundred royalist soldiers had been taken prisoner. On the Army of the Andes side, there were twelve killed and around one hundred wounded. The army also gained new artillery and other weapons, besides restoring the Chilean revolution. San Martín sent a message reporting the victory: "The Army of the Andes has attained glory and can report: In twenty-four days we have completed the campaign, passed through the highest mountain range on the globe, defeated the tyrants and given freedom to Chile".

Chacabuco aftermath
Sanmartin
On February 14, 1817, San Martín and O'Higgins triumphally entered Santiago, and on February 18, in a meeting held in the town open hall, San Martín was appointed Governor of Chile. San Martín immediately resigned, thus O'Higgins was elected Supreme Director of the State of Chile . The United Army was created with Chilean and Argentine soldiers. The Chilean soldiers were under O'Higgins command, while San Martín was General in Chief of the whole United Army.

Then San Martín, in order to raise funds for a fleet, left for Buenos Aires. After negotiating with Pueyrredón, a delegation was sent to London to provide ships for a new fleet in the Pacific Ocean. Back in Chile in the last days of 1817, San Martín sent a delegation to Lima under the pretext of proposing to the Viceroy Joaquín de la Pezuela
Joaquín de la Pezuela

Joaqu?n de la Pezuela Gri??n y S?nchez Mu?oz de Velasco, 1st marquis of Viluma was a Spanish military officer and viceroy of Peru during the War of Independence....
 of Peru the regularization of the war and exchange of POWs. The real purpose was to gain as much information as possible about the enemy's plans. The delegation brought the news that a Spanish army under General Mariano Osorio
Mariano Osorio

Mariano de Osorio was a Spanish general and Royal Governor of Chile from 1814-1815....
 was about to set sail in four frigates to southern Chile.

Despite the success in the Battle of Chacabuco, and while leaving Santiago and the northern Chile under patriot control, the royalist forces still had strong presence in southern Chile. The men under Osorio's command joined the royalist forces in the south by sea. The royalists also had allied themselves with Mapuche
Mapuche

The Mapuche are the Indigenous peoples of the Americas inhabitants of Central and Southern Chile and Southern Argentina. They were known as Araucanians by the Spaniards....
 native Americans.

Battle of Cancha Rayada
On 19 March 1818, the royalist forces concentrated and fortified in Talca with around five thousand men under General Osorio, while the independent forces of around seven thousand men formed by the United Army were taking positions in the Cancha Rayada plains. San Martín, fearing an attack on his flank, ordered a change of position of the troops.

Knowing their disadvantage in number and cavalry, the Spanish General Mariano Osorio was not eager to engage in battle, fortifying in Talca. However, after a suggestion from Colonel José Ordóñez a confrontation was decided upon, under Ordoñez' command. In a bold move, Ordoñez made the kind of attack San Martín had feared: circumventing the city and making a surprise attack at night behind the vanguard where the patriot forces were still taking positions. The surprise attack happened before the patriot army had re-positioned itself, and was a directed at the battalion under O'Higgins command, near San Martín's position. Soon, the vanguard soldiers dispersed, leaving O'Higgins in a bad position; his horse was shot dead and he was wounded in one arm. In an uncharacteristic move, instead of ordering retreat San Martín held the position, which made more patriot soldiers flee under enemy fire, leaving weapons and supplies behind. After the initial disorder, however, he ordered retreat. The rear and reserves had already re-positioned, somewhat withstanding the attack, but had no-one in command (Colonel Hilarión de la Quintana had left to headquarters to receive orders after the re-position and had not yet returned). Las Heras took command, and led the men during the retreat, while trying to recover as much artillery and weapons as possible. San Martín and O'Higgins (who were also retreating at full speed) were being closely chased by royalist forces.

By 21 March 1818, the decimated patriot forces of around three and half thousand men reunited in San Fernando, while news of the defeat reached Santiago. Rumors of deaths of O'Higgins and San Martín were spreading, and an exodus from Santiago to Mendoza started.

The battle (which was the only defeat the campaign had suffered) resulted in around 150 killed, and two hundred men taken prisoner. Several hundred had deserted, the whole artillery of the Argentine side was lost along with considerable amounts of horses, mules and weapons from both the Chilean and Argentine parts of the army. Despite the royalist victory, the action proved decimating to their side: two hundred soldiers had been killed, three hundred men captured and around six hundred had deserted, a total comprising more than half the two thousand men that had charged into the battle. Because of historical records these numbers cannot be completely accurate.

Battle of Maipú
Battle of Maipu
After the sorpresa de Cancha Rayada (surprise of Cancha Rayada), the royalist forces concentrated and marched towards Santiago. On 4 April 1818, the United Army took positions in Loma Blanca, near the Maipú plains. The army separated into three divisions: Las Heras commanding the column on the right, Colonel Rudecindo Alvarado commanding the column on the left, and Quintana at the rear. O'Higgins (still wounded) was in charge of the reserves.

The royalist forces under General Osorio's command took defensive positions, despite the convictions of some Colonels (among whom was Ordoñez) that taking the offensive as in Cancha Rayada was the best option. According to Irish Mounted Granadier John Thomond O'Brien, San Martín, seeing Osorio's disposition of the forces, exclaimed "Osorio is clumsier than I thought. Today's triumph is ours. The sun as witness!".

Around 11 am on the morning of 5 April 1818, the patriotic forces charged against the royalist forces with devastating resolution: after the sustained six-hour battle, the royalists were defeated. Osorio attempted to retreat to a property called Lo Espejos (The Mirrors) but failing to reach it, fled to Talcahuano
Talcahuano

Talcahuano is a municipality and port city in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile. It is part of the Greater Concepci?n conurbation.Geography ...
 with around twelve hundred men, although virtually rendered useless as they had lost most, if not all, of their weapons.

The royalist forces suffered two thousand dead, three thousand prisoners taken and lost all its artillery. The patriotic forces, on the other hand, suffered one thousand casualties. Historian and Colonel José Luis Picciuolo stated in his book Argentina Cavalry in the History of the Army that "this battle was executed as a typical act of annihilation".

As result of the battle, the Spanish control over southern Chile ended, and the independence declared on 12 February 1818 was partially accomplished. Viceroy Pezuela considered southern Chile lost, and Osorio set sail for Peru, leaving Colonel Juan Francisco Sánchez in charge of one thousand men in Talcahuano.

Fleet of the Pacific
Since the Battle of Chacabuco, San Martín had urged both governments of Santiago and Buenos Aires to build a fleet on the Pacific. Convoys had been sent to the United States
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 and England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
 in order to buy and hire several ships, however, lack of political cohesion in Argentina, a Spanish blockade in Valparaíso
Valparaíso

Valpara?so is a major city in Chile and one of that country's most important seaports and an increasingly vital cultural center in the hemisphere's Pacific Southwest....
, and the Battles of Cancha Rayada and Maipú heavily delayed the project. On the other hand, the mountainous landscape of the region lent itself to a large dependence of the colonial Chilean economy on maritime trade routes and shipping. This meant that there was an abundance of shipyards and a ready supply of sailors.

Right after the Battle of Maipú, San Martín left for Buenos Aires in order to speed up the process (and meet his wife and daughter which he had not seen since the start of the Campaign of the Andes). Once in Buenos Aires, after learning the fact that half a million pesos would not be available for the project from Pueyrredón, San Martín resigned as Commander of the Army under the pretext of being prescribed by his doctor to take rest in Chile's hotsprings. The resignation was not accepted and San Martín was granted a license.

Act of Rancagua
After Supreme Director José Rondeau
José Rondeau

Jos? Casimiro Rondeau Pereyra was a general and politician in Argentina and Uruguay in the early 19th century.He was born in Buenos Aires but soon after his birth, the family moved to Montevideo, where he grew up and went to school....
 was defeated in the Battle of Cepeda
Battle of Cepeda

There were two confrontation known under the name of Battle of Cepeda :*Battle of Cepeda , between Federals Estanislao L?pez and Francisco Ram?rez, and Unitarian Jos? Rondeau....
, San Martín sent his resignation of the Army's command from Santiago to Rancagua
Rancagua

Rancagua is a city in central Chile, located 87 km south of Santiago, Chile. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region of Chile....
, where Colonel Las Heras had settled with the army, arguing that the authority to which he had to report had ceased to exist, and thus his own authority had expired. The officials of the army rejected his resignation on the basis that the army's goal was to hasten the happiness of the country and the authority was given ultimately by the health of the people, something that was immutable and could not expire.

Peru

On 20 August 1820, a fleet of eight warships and sixteen transport ships of the Chilean Navy
Chilean Navy

The Chilean Navy is the naval force of Chile....
, under the command of Thomas Alexander Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald
Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald

Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, Marques do Maranh?o, GCB RN , styled Lord Cochrane between 1778 and 1831 , was a British naval officer and radical politician....
, set sail from Valparaíso to Paracas
Paracas

Paracas may refer to the following:* Paracas culture, an important Andean society that existed in Peru between approximately 750 BC and 100 AD...
, southern Peru.

On 7 September, the army landed on Paracas and successfully attacked Pisco
Pisco

'Pisco' is a South American Distilled beverage distilled from grapes. Developed by Spanish Empire settlers in the 16th century, it takes its name from the conical pottery in which it was originally aged, which was also the name of the city where it was produced: Pisco, Peru, in the Viceroyalty of Peru....
. On 11 September 1820, San Martín sent a "manifesto" to the Peruvian people stating "My announcement is not that of a conqueror that tries to create a new enslavement. I cannot help but be an accidental instrument of justice and agent of destiny. The outcome of victory will make Peru's capital see for the first time their sons united, freely choosing their government and emerging into the face of earth among the rank of nations".

Expedition of Peru
Flag of Peru (1821   1822)
While previous campaigns had been militaristic, San Martín avoided confrontation in Peru and emphazised diplomacy; the reason was that Lima, as the center of the Spanish Empire, would be more against the nationalist cause if its forces used violence and/or threatened to break the established monarchical-style order. His strategy consisted of waiting for the Peruvian people to begin the uprising by themselves. This resulted in many diplomatic envoys to Lima, urging viceroy Joaquín de la Pezuela
Joaquín de la Pezuela

Joaqu?n de la Pezuela Gri??n y S?nchez Mu?oz de Velasco, 1st marquis of Viluma was a Spanish military officer and viceroy of Peru during the War of Independence....
 to grant the independence of Peru. However, these diplomatic efforts proved fruitless.

After seizing Pisco, the army set sail on 26 October toward the north and landed at Huacho
Huacho

Huacho is a city in Peru, capital of the Huaura Province and capital of the Lima Region. It is located 223 feet above sea level and 148 km north of the city of Lima....
 — a better place from a strategic point of view — on 12 November. Huacho was used by San Martín as his main headquarters from thereon. While there, San Martín first heard of the emancipation of Guayaquil under the leadership of Peruvian Gregorio Escobedo. This and other events such as the maritime blockade of Callao by Cochrane and the victories over royalists by Alvarez de Arenales in Guacarillo (6 October) and Pasco
Pasco

Pasco is a Cornish language form of the name Pascal . It may refer to:Australia* Pasco Island Group, Tasmania:** Middle Pasco Islands...
 (20 December) strengthened the position of the main independentist effort led by San Martín.

On 29 January, Pezuela was deposed by José de la Serna. On 21 February 1821, San Martín promulgated the Provisional Rules (Spanish, Reglamento Provisional) aimed to provide legal guarantees to the Peruvian citizens, and designed the first flag of Peru. Soon afterwards he started preparing to march on Lima.

In March, 1821 the army set sail and landed in Ancón
Ancón District

Anc?n is a Districts of Peru of northern Lima Province in Peru. It is a popular beach resort, visited every summer by hundreds of people from Lima....
 (near Lima), while dispatching general Guillermo Miller to the southern coasts and Alvarez de Arenales towards the eastern hills, furthering Lima's isolation. Diplomatic efforts once again failed, as Viceroy Serna did not agree to declare independence, and San Martín did not accept Serna's proposal of acceptance by the independentists of the Spanish Constitution of 1812
Spanish Constitution of 1812

The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was promulgated by the C?diz Cortes, the national legislature of Spain acting while in refuge. The Spaniards baptised the constitution "La Pepa" because it was adopted on Saint Joseph, ....
 and the sending emissaries to the Cortes Generales
Cortes Generales

The Cortes Generales is the legislature of Spain. It is a bicameral parliament, composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Spanish Senate ....
.

On 2 July, San Martín met Viceroy Serna. This time San Martín proposed to create a constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of constitutional government, where in either an elected or hereditary monarch is the head of state, unlike in an absolute monarchy, wherein the king or the queen is the sole source of political power, as he or she is not legally bound by the constitution....
 with a European monarch to be appointed later. Serna, arguing that he did not have the power to make such a decision, asked for two days to discuss the issue. However, after discussing the issue with the royalist forces' commanders, the proposition was turned down on the basis that they did not have the power to grant independence, even to create a monarchy. On July 8, Serna and his forces simply abandoned the city, in order to reinforce in the countryside.

Protector of Peru
San Martín occupied Lima, the capital of Peru, on 12 July 1821. This was a huge loss for the Spanish forces. Independence from Spain for Peru was finally declared on 28 July 1821 and he was voted the "Protector" of the newly independent nation. During the same year, he founded the National Library of Peru, to which he donated his collection of books, and praised the new library as "... one of the most efficient means to spread our intellectual values". After Peru's parliament had been assembled, he resigned his command.

Meeting in Guayaquil

On 26 July 1822, he met with Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar

Sim?n Jos? Antonio de la Sant?sima Trinidad Bol?var Palacios y Blanco ? more commonly known as Sim?n Bol?var ? was, together with the Argentina general Jos? de San Mart?n, one of the most important leaders of Spanish America's successful struggle for independence....
 at Guayaquil
Guayaquil conference

The Guayaquil Conference was a meeting that took place on July 26, 1822, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, between Jos? de San Mart?n and Sim?n Bol?var, to discuss the future of Peru ....
 to plan the future of Latin America
Latin America

Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages ? particularly Spanish language and Portuguese language, and variably French language ? are primarily spoken....
. Most of the details of this meeting were secret at the time, and this has made the event a matter of much debate among later historians. Some believe that Bolívar's refusal to share command of the combined forces made San Martín withdraw from Peru and resettle as a farmer in Mendoza, Argentina. Another theory claims that San Martín yielded to Bolívar's energy and avoided a confrontation. Many argue that San Martin was a military genius but not as charismatic a leader as Bolivar.

Exile in Europe

After returning from Peru to Argentina and seeing his not so warm welcome, San Martín went to Europe. In 1824, after his wife Remedios de Escalada died, he moved to Europe
Europe

Europe is, conventionally, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural , the Caspian Sea, and by the Caucasus Mountains to the southeast....
 with his daughter Mercedes, first in England, then in Brussels
Brussels

Brussels , officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is the de facto capital city of the European Union and the largest urban area in Belgium....
. To keep a neutral position during the 1830 Belgian Revolution
Belgian Revolution

The Belgian Revolution was the conflict which led to the secession of the Southern provinces of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and the establishment of an independent Kingdom of Belgium....
, he moved to Paris
Paris

Paris is the Capital of France and the country's largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the ?le-de-France Regions of France ....
 where he contracted cholera. Cured but weakened, he bought a house and retired at Grand-Bourg
Grand-Bourg

Grand-Bourg is a Communes of France on the island of Marie-Galante, in the France overseas region and Overseas department of Guadeloupe, itself in the Lesser Antilles....
, near Evry, but was once again disturbed by history. His daughter married Mariano Antonio Severo de Balcarce, illegitimate son of Juan Manuel de Rosas
Juan Manuel de Rosas

File:Juan Manuel de Rosas.jpgJuan Manuel de Rosas , was a conservative Argentina politician who ruled Argentina from 1829 to 1852. Rosas was one of the first famous caudillos in Ibero-America and through his rule united Argentina, provided an efficient government and strengthened the economy....
, in Paris
Paris

Paris is the Capital of France and the country's largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the ?le-de-France Regions of France ....
 on December 13, 1832, and they had two daughters. In 1848, when the revolution
Revolutions of 1848

The European Revolutions of 1848, known in some countries as the Spring of Nations or the Year of Revolution, were a series of political upheavals throughout the European continent....
 started in Paris, he decided to move to London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
, but finally stopped in Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer

Boulogne-sur-Mer is a city in northern France. It is a Subprefectures in France of the Departments of France of Pas-de-Calais.The population of the city was 44,859 in the 1999 census, whereas that of the whole metropolitan area was 135,116....
 where he spent the remainder of his days.

His last acts on Argentine soil were the accepting of a gift from Buenos Aires governor Juan Manuel de Rosas
Juan Manuel de Rosas

File:Juan Manuel de Rosas.jpgJuan Manuel de Rosas , was a conservative Argentina politician who ruled Argentina from 1829 to 1852. Rosas was one of the first famous caudillos in Ibero-America and through his rule united Argentina, provided an efficient government and strengthened the economy....
, and his refusing to fight in the civil wars that tore the country apart. He died on August 17, 1850.

In 1880 his remains were taken from Brunoy
Brunoy

Brunoy is a commune in France in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the Kilometre Zero.Brunoy is home to Tomchei Tmimim, which attracts hundreds of students from around the world, most notably from the United States of America and Israel....
 to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southern shore of the R?o de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent....
 and reinterred in the Buenos Aires Cathedral.

Anthem to San Martín

Character and Legacy San Martin was known to hate disorder and worked to be very organized in his military action and revolution. Some suspect this is because he had seen many revolutions and riots gone bad during his 20 years in the military in Spain. He was a self contained man, methodical, careful, clear, and very persistent. He was not charismatic and not seen as a hero like Bolivar until years after his death. Most historians agree that he was a far better military commander than leader of a country. But his revolutionary spirit is shown in this quote from Crowe’s epic of Latin America “I heard of the revolutions in south America; and forsaking my fortune and my hope- I desired only everything to promote the liberty of my native land.” Another telling quote is “his armies did not fight battles to conquer governments but to liberate peoples.” O’higgins

Anthem to the Liberator General San Martín
Music: Arturo Luzzatt Lyrics: Segundo M. Argarañaz

See also

  • F??
    Phi Iota Alpha

    Phi Iota Alpha , established December 26, 1931, is the oldest National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations still in existence and works to motivate people, develop leaders, and create innovative ways to unite the Hispanic community....
     – A U.S.
    United States

    The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
     university fraternity that takes José de San Martín as one of its "five pillars"
  • Statues of the Liberators
    Statues of the Liberators

    A series of Statues of the Liberators of western-hemisphere countries from colonial rule is found along Virginia Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C....


Bibliography

  • El Agricultor José de San Martín, by Ricardo Ernesto Montes i Bradley
    Ricardo Ernesto Montes i Bradley

    Ricardo Ernesto Montes i Bradley, poet, essayist, historian, art and literary critic and diplomat born on June 9, 1905 in Rosario, Argentina. He was professor of Fine Arts, publisher, columnist and contributor in newspapers and literary magazines in Latin America....
     (Editorial Perspectivas, Mexico
    Mexico

    The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federalism constitutionalism republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico....
    , 1952)
  • Historia de San Martín y de la Emancipación Sudamericana, (History of San Martín and the South American emancipation) by Bartolomé Mitre
    Bartolomé Mitre

    Bartolom? Mitre Martinez was an Argentina statesman, military figure, and author. He was the President of Argentina from 1862 to 1868.As a liberal, he was an opponent of Juan Manuel de Rosas, and he was forced into exile where he worked as a soldier and journalist in Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile....
     (1887)
  • Historia Integral de la Argentina, (Integral history of Argentina) by Félix Luna (1994)
  • San Martín en el Ejército Español en la península, (San Martín in the Spanish Army in the peninsula) by Adolfo Espíndola (1989)
  • Documentos para la historia del Libertador General San Martín, (Documents for liberator general San Martín's history) by Instituto Nacional Sanmartiniano and the Museo Histórico Nacional)
  • Historia de la Nación Argentina, (History of the Argentine Nation) by Ricardo Levene (1940)
  • Los mitos de la Historia Argentina 2, (Myths of the Argentine History) by Felipe Pigna
    Felipe Pigna

    Felipe Pigna, born in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires province, in 1959, is an Argentina historian and writer....
     (2005)
  • La Caballería Argentina en la historia del ejército, (Argentina Cavalry in the history of the army) by Colonel José Luis Picciuolo (2001)
  • Historia Militar del Perú (Militar History of Peru) by Carlos Dellepiane (1965)
  • Captain of the Andes: The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru, by Margaret H. Harrison, Ph.D., Richard H. Smith, New York, 1943. Reissued 2007 by Kessinger Publishing LLC, Whitefish, MT, ISBN 1432518305
  • Epic of Latin America by John A. Crow fourth edition (1992) University of California press. Berkely, LA, London

External links

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