The Independence of Argentina and Buenos Aires

Argentina and Buenos Aires started to develop their own identity with the English invasions that started in 1806. The city was easily conquered by English general Beresford with only 1500 soldiers. But the victory was short lived because in a mere 6 weeks, Juan Martin Pueyrredon trained an army of 12,000 soldiers and reconquered Buenos Aires. The English persisted and sent another 8,500 soldiers in 1807. The English made a terrible decision of trying to capture the city without damaging it and so not using artillery in their attack. The English soldiers marched into the city only to be defeated by the inhabitants dropping stones and boiling water on the heads of the invaders.

By freeing themselves from the rule of two world powers, the Argentine settlers created an identity for themselves. At the same time in Europe, Napoleon conquered Spain and Spanish colonies had no king to obey. As a result of these factors, portenos created and signed their declaration of independence on July 9th, 1816. Argentina became the first independent country in Latin America.


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