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- There are many misconceptions about Argentina's independence from Spain; not least, that revolution and independence happened on 25 May 1810.
- Spain faced a number of problems both in Europe and in Spanish America - Great Britain on the seas, expansionist France on its home borders and Portuguese expansionism in South America.
- You get the feeling from various accounts of the period, that both the growing power and discontents within the Viceroyalty of Peru threatened to Spanish interests.
- New Viceroyalties sort to divide the Viceroyalty of Peru and toughen Spain's administration and protection of growing Spanish America. This 'divide and rule' politicking was achieved in the guise of awarding Viceroyalties to two other deserving regions.
- One of Spain's key concerns was the growing port economies of the Rio del la Plata, which prospered without Spanish administration and whose wealth came entirely from contraband and even trade with Spain's enemy and rival Great Britain.
- The Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata (Virreinato del Río de la Plata) established in 1776 comprised of modern day Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, some of Brazil and much of present-day Bolivia.
- Buenos Aires became the centre of administration, the viceroyalty's Cabildo (an ancient Spanish institution for local government that had existed in all the colonies since the XVI century).
- From 1776 onwards, the port Buenos Aires growth is quite remarkable and wealth soon poured into the port, its many local rivers, and the surrounding regions.
- Other regions of modern Argentina were already wealthy and well established, but their power was waning as silver mining died with little to replace it in Upper Peru (Bolivia). Even during this early period, we find agriculture a main industry feeding the peoples of Spanish South America.
- A power shift happened quickly and Buenos Aires soon replaced Tucumán, Córdoba (Argentina) and other regions that would later leave the new Viceroyalty del Rio de la Plata as the regional economic powerhouse. This power shift would sow the seeds of discontent and disagreement for many years and make birthing the Argentinean nation difficult.
- Buenos Aires soon became the main trading partner for other Viceroyalties as Spanish American resources poured out of Buenos Aires and immigration, modern culture and wealth poured in from transatlantic trade with Europe.
- Regions now are part of modern Argentina operated with some autonomy under their own local administrations and their own flags. These micro-economies with their own political and academic seats for many years challenge Buenos Aires for regional supremacy.
- The defeat of Spain and France at the Battle of Trafalgar, one of the most amazing naval victories ever recorded, the British used the might of the Royal Navy to take prized Spanish and French colonies and trade. The British had always wanted a permanent British settlement on the Rio del la Plata and decided to attack both Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
- The invasions of the Rio del la Plata by second rate Lieutenant-General John Whitelocke was an unmitigated disaster and a comedy of military errors that would see him court martialled and cashiered. The failed British invasion of the Río de la Plata and the battles of 1806 (Reconquista) and 1807 (Defensa) gave the porteños a great sense of pride and a growing yearning for greater freedom.
- The viceroyalty was short-lived, due to lack of internal cohesion among its regions and Span's failing support. It all but crashed in 1808 when Napoleon overthrew the Spanish monarch, Ferdinand VII, replacing him with Joseph Bonaparte, his brother and plunging the Spain into civil war.
History of Argentina - Articles:
Discovering Buenos Aires
Building Modern Argentina
Argentina Today
Read the complete Buenos Aires Guide:
Safety in Buenos Aires
Where is Buenos Aires?
The history of Buenos Aires
Tourism in Buenos Aires
Shopping Buenos Aires
Bars and restaurants in Buenos Aires
Travel around Buenos Aires
Spring Gets Buenos Aires into its Groove
Buenos Aires Stay Survival Guide Buenos Lesson One
Buenos Aires Travel: Public Buses
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Cheap apartments in Buenos Aires
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Vacationing in apartments for rent in Buenos Aires
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Eva Peron, Evita, a pilgrimage to Recoleta cemetery
The flag of Argentina, Sun of May, General Belgrano
Gay in Buenos Aires, night-by-night, 100s of gay listings
Gay Pride 2008, the biggest gay party ever in Buenos Aires
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History of Buenos Aires and Argentina from 1500 to the Kirchners
Read about Buenos Aires’ people (porteños) and their Culture
The Rio del la Plata – neither a plate nor a river?
Read about the history of tango, tango dance and tango music
Read our reviews of the best tours in Buenos Aires
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