Battle of Caseros: Urquiza defeats Rosas (1852)

The Battle of Caseros occurred on 3 February 1852 near El Palomar, Buenos Aires. Forces of the Argentine Confederation under Juan Manuel de Rosas faced a coalition of Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Brazil, and Uruguay. The Grand Army defeated Rosas, who fled to the United Kingdom. This victory established Justo José de Urquiza as provisional Director, leading to the 1853 Constitution.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Tensions arose from British-French blockades and Rosas's trade restrictions, angering Entre Ríos governor Justo José de Urquiza. Rosas declared war on Brazil in August 1851, starting the Platine War. Urquiza, supported by Brazil and Corrientes, marched toward Buenos Aires. A joint treaty aimed to expel Oribe from Uruguay and establish free elections in Argentina, setting the stage for conflict.

Forces. Urquiza's Grand Army numbered 24,000 men, including 3,500 Brazilians and 1,500 Uruguayans, with 50 guns. Rosas, an aging politician more suited to administration than warfare, took personal command of the battle. His forces were potentially weakened by the threat of Brazilian invasion, making the confrontation critical for maintaining his control over the Confederation.

Aftermath. Following the defeat, Rosas fled to the United Kingdom, arriving in Plymouth on 26 April 1852. Urquiza became the provisional Director of the Argentine Confederation. The battle placed Urquiza in a position of preeminence previously held by Rosas, allowing him to reunite disparate provinces under the San Nicolás Agreement, which led to the 1853 Constitution.

People involved

Sources

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