Rich History of Argentina - Essay Example

Rosas led the Argentinean nation for 17 years from 1829 to 1852. Most historians describe his rule as tyrannical while others commended his contributions to the political structure and governorship of Argentina.

A significant proportion of Rosas youth was spent as a gaucho (cowboy) in the cattle country where he accumulated his fortunes. Rosa's political ambitions began in 1820, as a caudilio when he led a section of gauchos in support of federalism. In the same year Colonel Manuel Dorrego, the Buenos Aires governor assigned Rosas to direct the provincial militia. In 1828 after the deposition of Manuel Dorrego, Rosas became the federalist leader (Lewis, 46). Rosas confronted Juan Lavalle, the new governor in 1829, and defeated him. After this, he became governor of Buenos Aires and became notorious for repressing his political opponents to quell competition.

Historians continue to argue over Rosa's significance in Argentina’s development. Sarmiento, Mann, and Stavans (9) indicate that Rosas was seen as a tyrant that was ignorant of the existent laws and freedoms of liberals. To decrease the political wars he saw it sufficient to create an authoritarian regime. He negotiated with the native tribes to pacify their disagreements. At the beginning of the 1830s, Rosas was focusing on destroying the unitary (centralists) movement in Entre Rios and Cordoba. Rosas military friends Estanislao Lopez and Juan Facundo Quiroga were also emerging as political leaders (Lewis 45). Their accumulative military strength was allowing them to control activities in provinces and build local regimes. In 1831, after neutralizing the opposing force especially of Unitarios, he focused on the issues of Buenos Aires. Rosa used was ruling on behalf of wealthy ranchers and landowners. According to Lewis (46), Rosa's policies promoted the policies of these landowners. Rosas promoted the policies of estancerios. This was oppressive to the common citizens.

As a caudilio of the western province, Facundo Quiroga's political views were reflective of the conservative ideology (Sarmiento, Mann, & Stavans, 23). Quiroga's early childhood is similar to Rosa's since he had little formal schooling. He was short, well built with broad shoulders compared to Rosas who was moderate. Additionally, Quiroga has a shrewdness of character since he gambled his father’s proceeds in 1806. Quiroga did not appreciate the discipline and structure of military life, unlike Rosas. His military exploits depict him as being a fierce caudilio and won respect from exemplary battlefield performances. Both Quiroga and Rosa were strongly against the unitarist movement and formed military expeditions against them. Rosa had a low view of women and children, especially of the unitarist movement. He was eminent for his intimidation tactics especially on the common folk as this was his technique of stamping authority. In contrast, Quiroga was very diminutive of the children and women of the unitarios but was more interested in the men (Sarmiento, Mann, & Stavans, 36).