1814-1830







Uruguay 1624-1814


The shores of Uruguay were known since the time of Amerigo Vespucci (1502) and Ferdinand Magellan (1519). Allocated to Spain by the TREATY OF TORDESILLAS, the first Spanish settlement, SORIANO, was established in 1624, the settlers meeting the fierce resistance of the CHARRO Indios. However, the Portuguese challenged Spain's claim over parts of Uruguay, establishing settlements at COLONIA (1680) and MONTEVIDEO (1717). They were expelled by the Spanish in 1724, who fotified the city of Montevideo and resettled it in 1726. Big herds of cattle, introduced by the Spanish and released, roamed the countryside.
Uruguay was a neglected corner of Spain's overseas Empire, important enough to expel foreign intruders, but attracting little immigration or investment. When the Viceroyalty of La Plata was formed in 1776, Uruguay became part of it. Portugal recognized Spain's claim over Uruguay in the TREATY OF SAN ILDEFONSO in 1777. Immigration and further settlement picked up late in the 18th century, the cities of SAN CARLOS founded 1767, ROSARIO 1775.
In 1807 the British occupied Montevideo shortly, but withdrew when they were defeated off Buenos Aires. When the Spanish administration in Buenos Aires was ousted (1811), the Spanish held on to Montevideo. In 1814, the Spanish fleet was defeated by ALMIRANTE BROWN; Spanish rule was finally terminated.
Ecclesiastically, Uruguay was part of the Diocesis of Asuncion until 1620, of the Diocesis of Buenos Aires until 1878.






EXTERNAL
FILES 		Articles from infoplease : Uruguay
Articles from Catholic Encyclopedia : Uruguay
Library of Congress, Country Studies : Uruguay
Links to Uruguay's history from about.com , from looksmart and from latinoconnect
DOCUMENTS
REFERENCE



This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted in 2001, last revised on November 5th 2004

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