Justo José de Urquiza

Argentina, 1801-70

Argentinsk præsident.

As caudillo of Entre Ríos province Urquiza sustained Juan Manuel de Rosas in power in his second attempt as president of Argentina in 1835. In 1851, resentful of the economic and political dominance of Buenos Aires, he raised the flag of revolt against Buenos Aires government. Supported by Brazil and Uruguayan Colorados, he forced Manuel Oribe (Rosas' ally in Uruguay) to capitulate, then he turned his forces to Rosas himself, defeating him at Monte Caseros. After Rosas' expelling from power Urquiza immediately began the task of national organization. A constituent assembly was gathered in 1853, adopting a constitution. In March, 1854 Urquiza was chosen as president of Confederation. In his administration foreign relations were improved, public education was encouraged, colonization was promoted, and plans for railroad construction were initiated. Nevertheless, Urquiza's effort were severe limited by the opposition of Buenos Aires province, which seceded from the confederation. In 1859 a new conflict emerged.First, Urquiza defeated at Cepeda the provincial army led by Bartolome Mitre (October, 1859), as a result Buenos Aires agreed to reenter the confederation; The agreement was short-lived and Urquiza met the army of Buenos Aires once more. This time however Mitre was victorious at Pavon (September, 1861). Urquiza retired to Entre Ríos, where he continued to rule until his assassination.