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Jose de San Martin was a primary liberator of a number of modern countries in South America. In the years between 1812 and 1821, he fought valiantly to drive the Spanish out of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. He is still remembered as a national hero by the people whose lives he changed.
San Martin was born in 1778 in Yapeyú, a small city in eastern Argentina. His father, originally from Spain, was positioned there as lieutenant governor. At the age of six, San Martin moved with his family back to Spain, where he was quickly enrolled in the Seminaro de los Nobles, a school for sons of Spanish nobility and military leaders. When he was 11, San Martin requested admission to the Spanish army as a cadet. He was accepted in July of that year. In his first battle at age 13, his regiment was taken prisoner while trying to defend a Spanish port in Northern Africa. He was put in this situation again and held for two years in a battle against the new French Republic. According to J.C.J. Metford, "from this bitterly fought campaign San Martin gained... experience of attack and defense according to the best tactical methods of his day." He continued service for the Spanish army for another 16 years.
This all changed however, when he began to hear the news of revolts against Spanish rule in his homeland, Argentina. When he arrived there in 1812, he found a military campaign that was being fought uphill, and an army that had gone to shambles. In response to this, he created a new corps of Mounted Gernadiers. Because of his popularity, he was named commander of the Argentinean army. In this position he revived the military system right down to expanding the agriculture to support his army.
San Martin's army crosses the
Andes On January 9, 1817, he departed
with a freshly inspired army to cross the Andes mountains.
This was the most daring operation he had ever undertaken,
and many men, horses, and mules died along the way. But when
they reached Chacabuco, Chile in February, the Spanish army
stood no chance. When he was offered the position of
governor of Chile, he refused, and instead marched on to
meet the Spanish at the battle of Maipu. His involvement
with the Spanish army had taught him many things, such as
the value of careful planning, the humiliation of capture,
and to be more careful with the lives of his troops. He
never entered into a battle unless it was unavoidable or he
knew he could win. This was one of the factors that made him
such a popular leader. So when his troops emerged victorious
at Maipu, ending Spanish domination of Chile, he was offered
wealth, fame, and promotions, but this was never his goal,
so he declined them all. The Battle of
Maipu
San Martin addresses a crowd in Lima |
The battle of Maipu was just a step toward his ultimate goal, the liberation of Lima, Peru. Political problems caused this to be delayed, and some people suggested that he just march in to Lima right away. He knew however, that this would only anger the people, and he did not want to be a dictator, instead he wanted to be remembered as a liberator. When his troops did enter Lima in 1821, he was greeted with overwhelming appreciation and respect. |
After this stunning success, San Martin was forced to become protector of Peru. In 1822, he traveled to Ecuador to meet with another revolutionary, Simon Bolivar (maybe a link here) to attempt to form an alliance, but nothing came of it. In the following years he became displeased with what he saw happening. The people thought that he had become corrupt from accepting his new position. Shortly thereafter, he resigned, giving his position to congress, and retired to France where he died in 1850. His army was given over to Bolivar to continue his fight. Some people thought he was giving up, but he had done all he could.
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San Martin stood for four main ideals, which feuled his revolutionary work in Latin America.
It is these ideals for which he is celebrated in many Latin American countries today. |
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This map shows the modern countries that were liberated by San Martin |
Bibliography