Manuel Belgrano defeats the royalist army of Pío de Tristán during the Battle of Salta.

Manuel Belgrano: A Founding Father of Argentina

Born Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano y González on June 3, 1770, in Buenos Aires, this towering figure, universally known as Manuel Belgrano, was much more than just a military leader. He was an Argentine economist, a skilled lawyer, a visionary politician, and a pioneering journalist, whose life became inextricably linked with the very birth of the Argentine nation. Belgrano’s pivotal role in the Argentine Wars of Independence and his indelible legacy as the creator of the iconic Flag of Argentina justly place him among the most revered Libertadores of the country.

Early Life, Enlightenment, and Revolutionary Stirrings

Manuel Belgrano was the fourth child of an Italian businessman, Domingo Belgrano y Peri, and María Josefa González Casero. His formative years took a transformative turn during his university studies in Spain, precisely when the radical ideas of the Age of Enlightenment were sweeping across Europe, fueled by the fervor of the French Revolution. These progressive ideals of liberty, equality, and rational thought profoundly shaped his worldview. Upon his return to the *Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata*, Belgrano quickly became a prominent voice among the criollo elite of Buenos Aires. He passionately advocated for new political and economic reforms, but his efforts met stiff and often hostile resistance from the entrenched peninsulars—Spanish-born residents who held power. This persistent rejection of reform ignited in Belgrano a deeper conviction: the only path forward for his homeland was through greater autonomy, and ultimately, independence from the Spanish colonial regime.

From Aspirations to the May Revolution

Belgrano’s initial foray into political maneuvering saw him cautiously promoting the aspirations of Carlota Joaquina, a Spanish infanta, to become a regent ruler for the Viceroyalty. This period was marked by the chaos of the Peninsular War (1807–1814) in Europe, during which Spanish King Ferdinand VII was imprisoned by Napoleon. However, this attempt proved unsuccessful. Belgrano’s true revolutionary spirit shone brightest in his fervent support for the May Revolution of 1810. This momentous uprising, on May 25, 1810, successfully deposed the reigning viceroy, Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros. Following this historic ouster, Belgrano was elected as a crucial voting member of the Primera Junta, the first independent government body, signaling his direct involvement in shaping Argentina's future.

Military Leadership, the Flag, and Critical Victories

As a delegate for the newly formed Junta, Belgrano assumed military leadership, heading the ambitious but ultimately ill-fated Paraguay campaign. Despite his troops suffering defeats at the battles of Campichuelo and Paraguarí at the hands of Bernardo de Velasco, this campaign, remarkably, sparked a chain of events that culminated in the independence of Paraguay in May 1811. Following this, Belgrano strategically retreated to Rosario, where he began fortifying the area against potential royalist attacks from the Eastern Band of the Uruguay River. It was here, in 1812, that a moment of profound national significance occurred: Manuel Belgrano created the Flag of Argentina, a symbol that would unite a nascent nation. Though the First Triumvirate initially withheld approval, slow communications meant Belgrano would only learn of their decision weeks later, while he was diligently reinforcing the Army of the North in Jujuy. Facing a severe strategic disadvantage against well-equipped royalist armies advancing from Upper Peru, Belgrano orchestrated the brilliant and daring Jujuy Exodus, a complete evacuation of the entire Jujuy Province population to San Miguel de Tucumán. This strategic retreat was followed by a stunning counter-offensive, securing a key strategic victory at the Battle of Tucumán. His military prowess was further cemented by a decisive triumph over the royalist army of Pío Tristán at the Battle of Salta. However, his subsequent, deeper incursions into Upper Perú proved costly, leading to defeats at Vilcapugio and Ayohuma. These setbacks prompted the Second Triumvirate to replace him as Commander of the Army of the North with the recently arrived military genius, José de San Martín. Nevertheless, by this time, the Asamblea del Año XIII had officially approved Belgrano's creation as the national war flag, securing its place in history.

Diplomacy, Independence, and Final Campaigns

Following his military command, Belgrano embarked on a critical diplomatic mission to Europe alongside Bernardino Rivadavia, seeking international support for the burgeoning revolutionary government. He returned just in time to play an integral role in the historic Congress of Tucumán in 1816, where Argentina boldly declared its long-awaited Argentine Independence. During this congress, Belgrano championed a fascinating and progressive proposal known as the "Inca plan," advocating for the creation of a constitutional monarchy with a direct descendant of the Inca lineage as the Head of State. This forward-thinking idea garnered support from esteemed figures like San Martín and Martín Miguel de Güemes, along with many provincial delegates, though it was ultimately rejected by the delegates from Buenos Aires. Significantly, the Congress of Tucumán also gave its final, unequivocal approval to Belgrano's flag as the official national flag. Afterward, Belgrano once again took command of the Army of the North, albeit with a more defensive mandate: to protect San Miguel de Tucumán from further royalist advances while San Martín meticulously prepared his famed Army of the Andes for an audacious alternative offensive across the formidable mountain range. As Buenos Aires faced imminent invasion from forces led by José Gervasio Artigas and Estanislao López, Belgrano moved his army south. Tragically, his troops mutinied in January 1820. Just months later, on June 20, 1820, Manuel Belgrano succumbed to dropsy. His poignant last words, "¡Ay, Patria mía!" (Oh, my country!), perfectly encapsulated his lifelong dedication and love for the nation he helped create.

Understanding the 'Royalists'

Who were the Royalists?
During the tumultuous Spanish American Wars of Independence, the "royalists" encompassed various groups—including people of Hispanic American descent (often with significant native and indigenous populations) and Europeans—who dedicated themselves to preserving the integrity of the Spanish monarchy against the burgeoning revolutionary movements.
Royalist Allegiances During the Peninsular War (1807–1814)
In the early phases of the conflict, while King Ferdinand VII was held captive in France, royalists in the Americas typically supported the authority of the Supreme Central Junta of Spain and and the Indies and the Cortes de Cádiz. These bodies governed in the King's name during the Peninsular War, representing the legitimate Spanish government from the royalist perspective.
Divisions After Ferdinand VII's Restoration (1814 onwards)
Following Ferdinand VII's restoration to the throne in 1814 and particularly during the Trienio Liberal in 1820, the royalist faction experienced internal divisions. They split into two main camps: Absolutists, who staunchly supported Ferdinand VII's insistence on ruling under traditional, absolute monarchical law; and Liberals, who advocated for the reinstatement of the reforms that had been enacted by the Cortes de Cádiz, reflecting a more constitutional approach to governance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Manuel Belgrano