The Thirty-Three Orientals, an insurgent group operating during the 1825 uprising against the Empire of Brazil, functioned under the command of Juan Antonio Lavalleja. His military activities during this campaign remain central to the formation of the Uruguayan state, marking a transition from revolutionary warfare to the establishment of formal national political institutions during the 19th century.
Military Campaigns and Independence
Born in 1784 in Minas, Lavalleja entered the military hierarchy of the region during a period of shifting colonial influence. Following his 1818 capture by Portuguese forces and his subsequent return to the territory in 1821, he emerged as a primary leader in the movement for independence. In 1825, he engaged in the event recorded as the Abrazo del Monzón with Fructuoso Rivera, which aligned their efforts against Brazilian authority. His leadership during the Battle of Sarandí and his command within the allied forces at the Battle of Ituzaingó were decisive. These military successes created the geopolitical conditions necessary for the 1828 Treaty of Montevideo, which formally recognized Uruguay as a sovereign nation.
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Following the ratification of the 1830 Constitution of Uruguay, Lavalleja contested the national presidency against Fructuoso Rivera. His failure to secure this position triggered political instability that fueled his involvement in the Uruguayan Civil War. This conflict persisted until 1851 and established a pattern of internal division that characterized the nation for decades. Throughout these years, his role shifted between that of a commander-in-chief of the national army and an active political insurgent challenging established authority.
Final Administrative Roles
In 1852, the political landscape shifted, and Lavalleja was appointed to a triumvirate tasked with governing the country. His final position was that of President of Uruguay in 1853. His tenure was brief, as he died on October 22, 1853, in Montevideo. He was interred at the Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and San Felipe and Santiago. His career remains a subject of historical study regarding the development of the Uruguayan state and the role of military figures in early post-independence governance.
Fast facts
- Born: 1784, Minas
- Died: 1853, Montevideo
- Spouse: Ana Monterroso (married 1817)
- Military Rank: General
- Political Position: President of Uruguay (1853)
- Language: Spanish
- Primary Affiliation: Leader of the Thirty-Three Orientals
- Burial Site: Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral, Montevideo
Questions readers ask
What was the result of the rivalry with Fructuoso Rivera?
Lavalleja lost the 1830 presidential election to Rivera, which led to his participation in the Uruguayan Civil War.
Did he hold the office of President of Uruguay?
Yes, he was a member of the triumvirate of 1853 and served as president for that year until his death.
Achievements
- President of Uruguay (1853–1853)
