Encyclopedia Database

All Themes

Business

Education

Antecedents

The Peru-Bolivian Confederation was the only plan that attempted to reunite Alto Peru ("Upper Peru", now Bolivia) and Bajo Peru ("Lower Peru", now simply 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 corrected.

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 3, 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 José 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 . 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.

Birth and structure of the Confederation

In 1836 Andrés de Santa Cruz, president of Bolivia, launched a project to confederate Peru and Bolivia under his "Protectorship".

In Peru, he began by having an Assembly proclaim on March 17, 1836 the South-Peruvian State (also called Republic of the South of Peru, or South-Peruvian Republic), following on 11 August 1836 by a similar proclamation of the North-Peruvian State (also styled Republic of the North of Peru, or North-Peruvian Republic); in each case he became the new state's "Supreme Protector", a President with full powers.

The Peru-Bolivian Confederation was proclaimed 28 October 1836; Santa Cruz was its Supreme Protector, while remaining Supreme Protector of each of the Peruvian States as well as President of the Bolivian Republic.

The Confederation lasted until 20 February 1839, when it was defeated by a combined effort of the Chilean army and Peruvian Exiles in the .

In each of the Peruvian States there was, from 1837, under the Supreme Protector, a 'Provisional President':

in the south first 17 September 1837 - 12 October 1838 Ramón Herrera Rodado (b. 1799 - d. 1882), then 12 October 1838 - 23 February 1839 Juan Pío de Tristán y Moscoso (b. 1773 - d. 1859)
in the North first 21 August 1837 - 30 July 1838 general Luis José Orbegoso (declares secession of North-Peruvian Republic from the Peru-Bolivian Confederation 30 July 1838 and continues as Provisional President to 1 September 1838), then 1 August 1838 - 24 January 1839 general José de la Riva Agüero (b. 1783 - d. 1858).