The Role of Santa Cruz towards the Realization of the Peru-Bolivia Confederation - Essay Example

The basis of the integration did not have just ethnic, cultural and historical grounds, but the economic intention was also a reason. Open market promotion and the restoration of the ancient commercial route were one of the main targets of the union. Thus the role of Santa Cruz towards the realization of the Peru-Bolivia Confederation was the key and for which he pursued various actions and strategies.
Actions and Strategies
Sucre was replaced in 1829 by Marshal Andres de Santa Cruz as a president; he held on to the post till the next decade. Gamarra and Santa Cruz both believed and were unanimous regarding their agreement that Peru and Bolivia should not have been partitioned and should be undone.
Santa Cruz who was the president of Bolivia believed that the achievement of a political union with Peru was a key and thus political unrest in Peru enabled Santa Cruz to take advantage of it. Santa Cruz's best opportunity arrived when Peruvian President Luis José de Orbegoso in 1835 asked him to back him up in the fight with the rebel army of Felipe Santiago Salaverry. It was during the Battle of Yanacocha (August 13, 1835) when Santa Cruz successfully overpowered Peruvian caudillo Agustín Gamarra and Salaverry at the Battle of Uchumayo (February 4, 1836).
Peruvian southern department’s congress (Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cuzco and Puno) had collected at the inauguration of Santa Cruz at Sicuani plus the declaration of the founding of the republic of South Peru was made on March 17, 1836. The Republic of North Peru was created at a related congregation at Huaura of the northern departments (Amazonas, Junín, La Libertad and Lima) on August 11, 1836, of which Gen. José Miguel de Velasco was made president, after which these states were then joined to Bolivia. At all times he was made the supreme protector of the newly born state, a president with full powers. These states had large, measures of autonomy but were still under the absolute control of Santa Cruz.
Both North and South Peru documented Santa Cruz as a Supreme Protector with a far-reaching power, which enabled him to create on October 28, 1836, the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. Bolivian Congress with both legislatures of North and South Peru was summoned to the city of Tacna and so as to establish a new state constitution. A pact was signed on May 1, 1837, where he was named as a supreme protector for the period of ten years.
Since the confederation’s inauguration it was seen by the influential politicians as a threat in the neighboring countries due to two reasons: firstly, because of its wide territorial area and secondly due to the noticeable risk that that kind of a posh state posed to be to that territory. Support of confederation by Argentine and Chilean rebels under exile also led to Argentina and Chile waging war each on their own to fight the confederation.
Chilean Declaration of War
Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz made attempts at negotiating with Chile instead of immediately going to war with it. Mariano Egaña was sent as plenipotentiary by the congress of Chile so as to come to a unanimous conclusion regarding a treaty of whose basis could be various areas like the payback of remaining international debts that Peru owed to Chile, the control of the outstanding armies, commence agreements, modernization to Chile for the Freire Expedition and the disbanding of the Confederation. Everything was decided by Santa Cruz except the dissolution. Chile declared war on December 28, 1836.

The major world powers that were interested in that area, like Great Britain, France and the United States which was not favorable for the Chilean interest gave diplomatic recognition to Marshal Santa Cruz.
Argentine Declaration of War
Marshal Santa Cruz was involved in Argentina's domestic issues as he supported the enemies of caudillo Juan Manuel de Rosas nonstop, and made Argentina wage war on May 9, 1837, where again the importance of diplomacy came in as Santa Cruz's got the support of France in the war effort by striking a naval obstruction over Buenos Aires. In 1837 Santa Cruz's forces were able to defeat an Argentine army sent to overthrow him.
Conclusion
Santa Cruz emerged as one of the great men of South America not only for his military prowess but also for his productive political thinking, ambition and sound administrative practices. He became the absolute ruler during the confederation and was recognized by Briton, France and the United States but feared and opposed by South American. Read More