The First Decade of Revolution (1810-1814)

The First Decade of Revolution (1810-1814)

• The May Revolution (May 25, 1810) replaced the viceroy with a governing junta (First Junta), following established procedures in the name of the Spanish king.
• This power transfer lacked widespread acceptance. The decision was made by a small group of Buenos Aires residents in an open cabildo.
• The revolution was accompanied by war, lasting nearly 50 years, becoming the defining aspect of life in the Río de la Plata region.
• The period between 1810 and 1820 focused intensely on gaining independence from Spain.

First Junta's Composition and Challenges

• The First Junta was a mix of military and political leaders, including Cornelio Saavedra (president of the junta, military leader of the Patricios regiment), Mariano Moreno (secretary, radical politician), Manuel Belgrano, and Juan José Castelli (representatives).
• Disagreements amongst junta members reflected differing power groups, resulting in shifting governance.
• The Junta faced the significant task of establishing its authority outside of Buenos Aires. It sent expeditions to other areas for recognition and support, with varying degrees of success.
• Expeditions to Paraguay and across the Río de la Plata region faced setbacks, like Belgrano's defeat in Paraguay and the suppression of a conspiracy led by the former viceroy, Santiago de Liniers, in Córdoba.
• Issues in Upper Peru (Alto Perú): Castelli’s efforts to gain support from indigenous populations (majority in the area) alarmed the Spanish loyalists and prompted organized opposition.
• Efforts to gain recognition in Uruguay (Banda Oriental) failed due to Montevideo’s strong resistance.

Political Shifts and Conflict (1810-1814)

• The period from 1810 to 1814 involved two distinct periods: the continuation of the Junta era and the shift towards 1814, following Napoleon’s defeat and the restoration of Fernando VII as the king of Spain.
• The restoration of the Spanish king fueled renewed efforts to regain the colonies, prompting a two-pronged response by revolutionary rioplatenses: a stronger military approach and more conservative policies.
• Internal divisions in the Junta highlighted conflicts between moderate (Saavedra) and radical (Moreno) factions.
• Saavedra's moderate faction gained support within the army and urban populations, while Moreno led the more radical faction advocating for immediate separation from Spain.
• The "Junta Grande" (Large Junta) emerged after incorporating interior representatives but lasted less than a year, giving way to a power shift.

Key Figures and Groups

• Cornelio Saavedra: President of the First Governing Junta, representing the moderate faction.
• Mariano Moreno: Secretary of the First Governing Junta, representing a more radical faction.
• Manuel Belgrano: Figure in the Junta, with military and political roles.
• Juan José Castelli: Figure in the Junta, with military and political roles.
• José de San Martín and Carlos María de Alvear: Military leaders who later advocated for a reformed army and independence from Spain.
• Logia Lautaro: Secret organization advocating for colonial independence.

Explore the significant events of the early revolutionary period in the Río de la Plata, from the May Revolution to the complexities of the First Junta. Understand the power dynamics and challenges faced by key leaders like Cornelio Saavedra and Mariano Moreno. This quiz covers the struggle for independence from Spain during these transformative years.