Peru-Bolivian Confederacy
From Freepedia
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| Image:Location ConfederaciónPerú-Boliviana.png | |||
| Capital | Tacna | ||
| Created | 1836 | ||
| Dissolved | 1839 | ||
| Demonym | Peru-bolivian | ||
The Peru-Bolivian Confederacy was a short-lived state that existed in South America between the years 1836 and 1839. Its only President (under the title of "Supreme Protector") was Andrés de Santa Cruz. It was a loose Union between the States of Peru (by this time, divided in North Peru and South Peru) and Bolivia. The Confederacy fell apart after being defeated in the Battle of Yungay. Its capital was located in Tacna.
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History
Birth of the Confederacy
The Peru-Bolivian Confederacy was the only plan that attempted to reunite "Alto Peru" (Bolivia) and "Bajo Peru" (Peru) in a single political and economic entity. Due to the great distances that separate "Alto Peru" with its administrative capital, Buenos Aires, a union with Peru was widely supported in the territory. Simón Bolívar, having liberated Peru, and destroying the last remnants of the Spanish Army, did not approve the union, and urged the creation of a separate and independent state. The Republic of Bolivia (named in his honor) was born, with Bolívar as its first President. Political unrest and turmoil forced Bolívar to return to Colombia, leaving Antonio de Sucre in charge. Nevertheless, the plan for reuniting Peru and Bolivia didn't fade away.
Santa Cruz and Gamarra
Antonio de Sucre was appointed President of Bolivia, but political pressure from Peru and internal turmoil made it difficult to organize the new state. General Agustin Gamarra, with an army of nearly 5000 Peruvian soldiers, marched towards Bolivia with two orders: force the Colombian Army to withdraw and the creation of a new constitution for that country. An armed uprising in Chuquisaca was quickly used by Gamarra as an excuse to invade the country. The Peruvian Army entered La Paz, Bolivia in May 28, 1827. Under these circumstances, Sucre was forced to resign in September, leaving the country. Andres de Santa Cruz was elected President of Bolivia in 1829, a position that he would hold for the next 10 years.
Both Gamarra and Santa Cruz agreed that the separation of Peru and Bolivia was a mistake that should be solved. Their plan for a Federation or at least a Confederation was accepted, but they disagreed in other issues. Gamarra was in favor of a Peruvian-led Union, while Santa Cruz wanted to give more political power to Bolivia.
War with the Gran Colombia
Bolívar did not agree with Gamarra or Santa Cruz, since the Gran Colombia was already his own project of Federation to unite most of the former Spanish Colonies. Furious about the news in Bolivia, he resolved to declare war against Peru on June 3rd, 1828. Sucre was appointed Commander of the Colombian Army.
During the War, and with the Peruvian Army holding off the Colombian offensive, Gamarra deposed Peruvian President Jose de La Mar and titled himself as new President. A Parliament was assembled, and with a majority of them in favor of his government, legalised his position. His rule was difficult, since armed revolts all around the country challenged his authority.
Anarchy in Peru, Bolivian invasion
A new Parlament was formed in 1833, but it was hostile towards Gamarra. Since his term as President was already over, and with no time to call for elections, It was resolved to turn the presidency to General Luis Orbegozo. Gamarra did not recognize the new government, and prepared to challenge Orbegozo. However, popular opinion and most of the Army rallied against him, and he was frustrated in his effort to seize power again.
See also
- United Provinces of Central America - another federal state on the American continent that underwent a similar fate.
- Republic of Great Colombia - Bolívar's Federation
