José de San Martín(1778 — 1850)
José de San Martín
Argentine
7 min read
Argentine general and statesman, a major figure in the independence of South America. He freed Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish rule before withdrawing from public life.
Frequently asked questions
Famous Quotes
« Seras lo que debas ser, o no serás nada.»
Key Facts
- 1812: returns to South America to join the independence cause after a military career in Spain
- 1817: crosses the Andes mountain range with the Army of the Andes and wins the Battle of Chacabuco, liberating Chile
- 1818: decisive victory at Maipú consolidating Chilean independence
- 1821: proclaims the independence of Peru and becomes Protector of Peru
- 1822: the Guayaquil meeting with Simón Bolívar, followed by his withdrawal from political life and exile in Europe (died in 1850 in Boulogne-sur-Mer)
Works & Achievements
An elite cavalry corps founded and trained by San Martín, which became the model unit of the wars of independence and still exists today as Argentina's presidential guard.
At Mendoza, San Martín raised, equipped, and trained an entire army, mobilizing the whole region: a feat of administration and logistics as much as a military one.
A legendary strategic maneuver that took the Spanish by surprise and opened the way to the liberation of Chile.
A decisive victory that definitively sealed Chile's independence against the royalist forces.
A naval landing and entry into Lima; there San Martín proclaimed Peru's independence and became its Protector.
As Protector, San Martín created lasting institutions, including the first Peruvian national public library, marking his commitment to education.
A short educational and moral text written for his daughter, reflecting his values: love of truth, respect for others, and temperance.
Anecdotes
In 1817, San Martín accomplished one of the greatest military feats in history: he led his army across the Andes mountain range — roughly 5,000 men with cannons, horses, and mules — through passes lying at over 4,000 meters above sea level. The preparations lasted months and many animals perished from the cold, but the element of surprise allowed him to crush the Spanish in Chile.
San Martín was obsessed with secrecy and cunning: before crossing the Andes, he spread false rumors and even led some indigenous chiefs to believe he would pass through certain mountain passes, knowing the information would be relayed to the Spanish. Meanwhile, his troops took other routes.
In 1822, during the Guayaquil Conference, San Martín met the other great liberator, Simón Bolívar. The exact content of their conversation remains a mystery, but in the wake of this meeting San Martín decided to withdraw and leave the completion of independence to Bolívar, in order to avoid a civil war among the patriots.
After liberating three nations, San Martín refused power and went into voluntary exile in Europe in 1824. He died in 1850 in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, almost forgotten, far from the America he had helped to free. His remains were not repatriated to Argentina until 1880.
San Martín suffered from chronic pain and took laudanum (an opium-based preparation) to relieve it, which took nothing away from his military rigor. He imposed iron discipline on his Army of the Andes, which he regarded as the key to the continent's freedom.
Primary Sources
From this moment on, Peru is free and independent by the general will of its peoples and by the justice of its cause, which God defends.
To inspire in Mercedes a love of truth and a hatred of lies; to inspire in her great trust and friendship, while always combining it with respect.
My presence in South America is no longer necessary; I am withdrawing and leaving to others the glory of completing what I began.
I wish my heart to be laid to rest in Buenos Aires; the saber that accompanied me throughout the entire war of independence of South America shall be given to the general of the Argentine Republic, Juan Manuel de Rosas.
Key Places
Village of the former Jesuit missions where San Martín was born in 1778, near the Uruguay River.
City at the foot of the Andes where San Martín spent two years organizing and training his Army of the Andes before the great crossing.
Mountain range crossed in 1817 by the Army of the Andes at over 4,000 meters of altitude, the founding feat of Chile's liberation.
Capital of the viceroyalty where San Martín proclaimed Peru's independence in 1821 and served as Protector.
Port where the secret meeting between San Martín and Bolívar took place in 1822, after which San Martín withdrew.
Coastal town where San Martín, in exile, spent his final years and died in 1850.
