Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
approved on July 19, 1826. Rivadavia also
attempted to establish a land redistribution
program. Yet, once again, Buenos Aires and
provincial federalists, among them powerful
caudillos
(land owners), opposed reform and
Rivadavia's government failed in 1827.
Shortly thereafter in 1829,
Juan Manuel de
Rosas
was elected governor of Buenos Aires
and remained in that position (except for the
period of 1832-1835) until 1852. De Rosas was a
fascinating character - just perfect for a Paul
Newman flick. Born to a wealthy family, he
grew up on an
estancia
and could ride, rope and
handle a horse like a
gaucho
. He was also a suc-
cessful businessman. He seemed to be the
strong leader the country needed. De Rosas
formed a coalition between the
caudillos
and
prosperous merchants and others who sup-
ported the federalist cause, and eventually
gained almost unlimited authority over Buenos
Aires and the country. He led a campaign to
wipe out the native Indians of southern Argen-
tina and consolidated the federalists' power by
imprisoning and killing all those who opposed
him. Under Rosas, horrific methods of death
and torture were made official and estimates of
the number of dead are in the thousands.
Putting all his energies into staying in power,
Rosas succeeded in destroying the economy and
wasting national funds.
By the late 1840s and early 1850s, an under-
ground movement had begun to plot the over-
throw of Rosas. A group of upper class
