Argentina's 19th-Century Conflicts: Wars & Blockades
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War of the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation (1836-1839)
Causes:
The governments of Bolivia and Peru aimed to expand their borders southward. In 1836, Bolivia occupied the province of Tarija, and Argentina granted political asylum to some Unitarians.
Development:
Chile and Argentina declared war on the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation.
Consequences:
The combined Chilean and Argentine forces defeated the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation, leading to its immediate dissolution.
French Blockade (1838-1840)
Causes:
France sought new markets for its surplus production. Additionally, it demanded that French residents in Buenos Aires enjoy the same privileges as the British, including exemption from military service.
Development:
A French fleet blockaded the port of Buenos Aires, preventing Argentine provinces from engaging in foreign trade. They also occupied Martín García Island. This action was supported by some young Argentinians from the Argentine Commission in Montevideo and the Uruguayan forces of Fructuoso Rivera.
Consequences:
In 1840, Baron Mackau, representing the French government, and Felipe Arana, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Confederation, signed a treaty. The Confederation agreed to exempt French nationals residing in Argentina from military service. France lifted the blockade and returned Martín García Island.
Anglo-French Blockade (1845-1850)
Causes:
The siege of Montevideo (1843-1851) negatively impacted the economic interests of England and France. Both countries protested the Rosas government's intervention in Uruguayan affairs.
Development:
The British and French navies seized Rosas's fleet operating in the Río de la Plata and established a blockade of Argentine ports. The foreign fleet then attempted to navigate the Paraná River to sell their products. Rosas sent Lucio Mansilla to intercept the Anglo-French ships.
Consequences:
Despite the efforts of the native forces under Mansilla's command, the Anglo-French forces were victorious at the Battle of Vuelta de Obligado. In 1849 and 1850, representatives of the Argentine, British, and French governments signed treaties. The foreign fleets agreed to lift the blockade, and England recognized Argentina's exclusive sovereignty over its inland rivers.