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The history of Uruguay comprises different periods: the pre-Columbian time or early history (up to the sixteenth century), the colonial period (1516–1811), the period of nation-building (1811-1830), and the history of Uruguay as an independent country (from around 1830).

Native peoples[edit]

Uruguayan Indians Drawing from Hendrick Ottsen journal, 1603
Monument to Charruas in Montevideo

The earliest traces of human presence are about 10 000 years old, and belong to the hunter gatherer cultures of Catalanense and Cuareim cultures which are extensions of cultures originating in Brasil.[1] Earliest discovered bolas are about 7000 years old. Examples of ancient rock art have been found at Chamangá. About 4000 years ago Charrua and Guarani people arrived here.[2]

During pre-colonial times Urugayan territory was inhabited by small tribes of nomadic Charrua, Chana, Arachan and Guarani peoples who survived by hunting and fishing and probably never reached more than 10 000 – 20 000 people.[3]

Native peoples had almost disappeared by the time of Independence as a result of European diseases and constant warfare. European genocide culminated on April 11, 1831 with the Massacre of Salsipuedes, when most of Charrua men were killed by Uruguayan army on the orders by President Fructuoso Rivera, and the remaining 300 Charrua women and children were divided as household slaves and servants among Europeans.[4]


Main article: Banda Oriental
Spanish and Portuguese control of South America in 1754

During the colonial era the present-day territory of Uruguay was known as Banda Oriental (east bank of River Uruguay) and was a buffer territory between the competing colonial pretensions of Portuguese Brazil and Spanish Empire.

The Portuguese first explored the region of present-day Uruguay in 1512-1513.[5] The first European explorer to land here was Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516, but he was killed and eaten by natives. Ferdinand Magellan anchored at the future site of Montevideo in 1520. Sebastian Cabot in 1526 explored Río de la Plata but no permanent settlements took root here. Absence of gold and silver limited settlement of the region during the 16th and 17th centuries.

In 1603 cattle and horses were introduced here by the order of Hernando Arias de Saavedra and by mid-17th century their number had greatly multiplied.

The first permanent settlement on the territory of present-day Uruguay was founded by the Spanish Jesuits in 1624 at Villa Soriano on the Río Negro, where they tried to establish a Misiones Orientales system for the Charruas.

Portuguese colonists in 1680 established Colônia do Sacramento on the northern bank of La Plata river, on the opposite coast from Buenos Aires. Spanish colonial activity increased as Spain sought to limit Portugal's expansion of Brazil's frontiers. In 1726 Spanish established San Felipe de Montevideo on the northern bank and its natural harbor soon developed into a commercial center competing with Buenos Aires, they also moved to capture Colonia del Sacramento. Treaty of Madrid secured Spanish control over Banda Oriental, settlers were given land here and a local cabildo was created.

In 1776 the new Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata was established with capital in Buenos Aires and it included territory of Banda Oriental. By this time the land was divided and used by cattle ranchers to raise cattle.[6] By 1800 more than 10,000 people lived in Montevideo and another 20,000 in the rest of the province. Out of these about 30% were African slaves.[7]

Uruguay's early 19th century history was shaped by ongoing fights between the British, Spanish, Portuguese, and local colonial forces for dominance of the La Plata basin. In 1806 and 1807, the British as a part of Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808), launched the British invasions of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires was invaded in 1806, and then liberated by forces from Montevideo led by Santiago de Liniers. A new and stronger British attack in 1807 aimed to Montevideo, which was occupied by a 10,000-strong British force. The British forces were then unable to invade Buenos Aires for the second time, and Liniers demanded the liberation of Montevideo in the terms of capitulation. The British gave up their attacks when the Peninsular War turned Britain and Spain into allies against Napoleon.

Struggle for independence, 1811-28[edit]

Provincial freedom under Artigas[edit]

Flag of Artigas
José Gervasio Artigas, as depicted by Juan Manuel Blanes
Provincial political allegiances in 1816

May Revolution of 1810 in Buenos Aires marked the end of Spanish rule in the Viceroyalty and establishment of United Provinces of Rio de la Plata. Revolution divided inhabitants of Montevideo, many of whom remained royalists, loyal to the Spanish crown and revolutionaries who supported independence of provinces from Spain. This soon led to the First Banda Oriental campaign between Buenos Aires and Spanish viceroy. Local patriots under José Gervasio Artigas issued Proclamation of 26 February 1811 which called for a war against the Spanish rule. With the help from Buenos Aires, Artigas defeated Spaniards on May 18, 1811 at the Battle of Las Piedras and began Siege of Montevideo. At this point Spanish viceroy invited Portuguese from Brazil to launch a military invasion of Banda Oriental. Afraid to lose this province to the Portuguese, Buenos Aires made peace with the Spanish viceroy. Only British pressure persuaded Portuguese to withdraw in late 1811, leaving royalists in control of Montevideo. Angered by this betrayal from Buenos Aires, Artigas with some 4000 supporters retreated to Entre Ríos Province. During the Second Banda Oriental campaign in 1813 Artigas joined José Rondeau's army from Buenos Aires and started the second siege of Montevideo.

Artigas participated in formation of League of the Free People, which united several provinces that wanted to be free from Buenos Aires dominance and centralized state, envisioned by the Congress of Tucumán. Artigas was proclaimed Protector of this League. Guided by his political ideas (Artiguism) he launched a land reform, dividing land to small farmers.[8]

Brazilian province[edit]

The steady growth of influence and prestige of the Liga Federal frightened the Portuguese government, which did not want the League's republicanism to spread to the adjoining Portuguese colony of Brazil. In August 1816, forces from Brazil invaded, launching the Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental with the intention of destroying Artigas and his revolution. The Portuguese forces included a fully armed force of disciplined Portuguese European veterans of the Napoleonic Wars and local Brazilian troops. This army, with more military experience and material superiority, occupied Montevideo on January 20, 1817, and in 1820 the Artigas`s forces were finally defeated in Battle of Tacuarembó after which Banda Oriental was incorporated in Brazil as Cisplatina province. During the War of Independence of Brazil in 1823-24 another siege of Montevideo occurred.

The Thirty-Three[edit]

Oath of the Thirty-Three
Proclamation of Constitution of 1830
Flag of the Thirty-Three

On April 19, 1825 with the support of Buenos Aires, the Thirty-Three Orientals led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja landed in Cisplatina. They reached Montevideo on May 20, 1825. On June 14, in La Florida a provisional government was formed. On August 25 the newly elected provincial assembly declared the secession of Cisplatina province from Empire of Brazil, and allegiance to the United Provinces of Río de la Plata. In response Brazil launched the Cisplatine War.

This war ended on August 27, 1828 when Treaty of Montevideo was signed. After mediation by Viscount Ponsonby, a British diplomat, Brazil and Argentina agreed to recognize an independent Uruguay as a buffer state between them, however, Uruguayan independence was not completely guaranteed, just like that of Paraguay, and only Paraguayan War secured Uruguayan independence from territorial ambitions of its larger neighbors. Constitution of 1830 was approved in September 1829 and adapted on July 18, 1830.[9]

The "Guerra Grande", 1839-52[edit]

Main article: Uruguayan Civil War
Manuel Oribe.
Fructuoso Rivera.
Joaquín Suárez monument in Montevideo

Soon after achieving independence, political scene in Uruguay became split between two parties, both led by the former Thirty-Tree, the conservative Blancos ("Whites") and the liberal Colorados ("Reds"). The Colorados were led by the first President Fructuoso Rivera and represented the business interests of Montevideo; the Blancos were headed by the second President Manuel Oribe, who looked after the agricultural interests of the countryside and promoted protectionism.

Both parties took their informal names from the color of the armbands that their supporters wore. Initially Colorados wore blue, but when it faded in the sun, they replaced it with red. Parties became associated with warring political factions in neighboring Argentina. The Colorados favored the exiled Argentinian liberal Unitarios, many of whom had taken refuge in Montevideo, while the Blanco president Manuel Oribe was a close friend of the Argentine strongman Juan Manuel de Rosas.

Oribe took Rosas's side when the French navy blockaded Buenos Aires in 1838. This led the Colorados and the exiled Unitarios to seek French backing against Oribe and on June 15, 1838 an army led by the Colorado leader Rivera overthrew Oribe who fled to Argentina. The Argentinian Unitarios then formed a government-in-exile in Montevideo and, with secret French encouragement, Rivera declared war on Rosas in 1839. The conflict would last thirteen years and become known as the Guerra Grande (the Great War).

In 1840, an army of exiled Unitarios attempted to invade northern Argentina from Uruguay but had little success. In 1842 Argentinian army overran Uruguay on Oribe's behalf. They seized most of the country but failed to take the capital. The Great Siege of Montevideo, which began in February 1843, lasted nine years. The besieged Uruguayans called on resident foreigners for help and a French and an Italian legions were formed. The latter was led by the exiled Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was working as a mathematics teacher in Montevideo when the war broke out. Garibaldi was also made head of the Uruguayan navy.

During this siege Uruguay had two parallel governments:

The Argentinian blockade of Montevideo was ineffective as Rosas generally tried not to interfere with international shipping on the River Plate, but in 1845, when access to Paraguay was blocked, Britain and France allied against Rosas, seized his fleet and began a blockade of Buenos Aires, while Brazil joined in war against Argentina. Rosas reached peace deals with Great Britain and France in 1849 and 1850 respectively. The French agreed to withdraw their legion if Rosas evacuated Argentinian troops from Uruguay. Oribe still maintained a loose siege of the capital. In 1851, the Argentinian provincial strongman Justo José de Urquiza turned against Rosas and signed a pact with the exiled Unitarios, the Uruguayan Colorados and Brazil against him. Urquiza crossed into Uruguay, defeated Oribe and lifted the siege of Montevideo. He then overthrew Rosas at the Battle of Caseros on February 3, 1852. With Rosas's defeat and exile, the "Guerra Grande" finally came to an end. Slavery was officially abolished in 1852.

A ruling triumvirate consisting of Rivera, Lavallejo and Venancio Flores was established, but Lavallejo died in 1853, Rivera in 1854 and Flores was overthrown in 1855.[9]

Foreign relations[edit]

The government of Montevideo rewarded Brazil's financial and military support by signing five treaties in 1851 that provided for perpetual alliance between the two countries. Montevideo confirmed Brazil's right to intervene in Uruguay's internal affairs. Uruguay also renounced its territorial claims north of the Río Cuareim, thereby reducing its area to about 176,000 square kilometers, and recognized Brazil's exclusive right of navigation in the Laguna Merin and the Rio Yaguaron, the natural border between the countries.

In accordance with the 1851 treaties, Brazil intervened militarily in Uruguay as often as it deemed necessary.[10] In 1865, the Treaty of the Triple Alliance was signed by the emperor of Brazil, the president of Argentina, and the Colorado general Venancio Flores, the Uruguayan head of government whom they both had helped to gain power. The Triple Alliance was created to wage a war against the Paraguayan leader Francisco Solano López.[10] The resulting Paraguayan War ended with the invasion of Paraguay and its defeat by the armies of the three countries. Montevideo, which was used as a supply station by the Brazilian navy, experienced a period of prosperity and relative calm during the war.[10]

Uruguayan war, 1864-65[edit]

Main article: Uruguayan War
Uruguayan war, 1864-65

The Uruguayan War was fought between governing Blancos and alliance of Empire of Brazil, Colorados who were supported by Argentina. In 1863 the Colorado leader Venancio Flores launched the Liberating Crusade aimed at toppling President Bernardo Berro and his Colorado–Blanco coalition (Fusionist) government. Flores was aided by Argentina's President Bartolomé Mitre. The Fusionist coalition collapsed as Colorados joined Flores' ranks.

The Uruguayan civil developed into a crisis of international scope that destabilized the entire region. Even before the Colorado rebellion, the Blancos had sought an alliance with Paraguayan dictator Francisco Solano López. Berro's now purely Blanco government also received support from Argentine Federalists, who opposed Mitre and his Unitarians. The situation deteriorated as the Empire of Brazil was drawn into the conflict. Brazil decided to intervene to reestablish the security of its southern frontiers and its influence regional affairs. In a combined offensive against Blanco strongholds, the Brazilian–Colorado troops advanced through Uruguayan territory, eventually surrounding Montevideo. Faced with certain defeat, the Blanco government capitulated on 20 February 1865.

The short-lived war would have been regarded as an outstanding success for Brazilian and Argentine interests, had Paraguayan intervention in support of the Blancos (with attacks upon Brazilian and Argentine provinces) not led to the long and costly Paraguayan War. In February 1868 former Presidents Bernardo Berro and Venancio Flores were assassinated.

Social and economic developments up to 1900[edit]

Montevideo in 1865

Colorado rule[edit]

Colorados ruled without interruption from 1865 until 1958 despite internal conflicts, conflicts with neighboring states, political and economic fluctuations, and a wave of mass immigration from Europe.

1872 power-sharing agreement[edit]

Blanco soldiers during 1897 Revolution
Government artillery unit during the Blanco uprising of 1904
National guards during the Blanco uprising of 1904

The government of General Lorenzo Batlle y Grau (1868–72) suppressed the Revolution of the Lances with started in September 1872 under the leadership of Blancos leader Timoteo Aparacio.[11] After two years of struggle, a peace agreement was signed in April 6, 1872 when a power-sharing agreement was signed giving Blancos control over four out of thirteen departments of Uruguay - Canelones, San Jose, Florida and Cerro Largo, and a guaranteed, if limited representation in Parliament.[11] This establishment of the policy of co-participation represented the search for a new formula of compromise, based on the coexistence of the party in power and the party in opposition.[11]



Military in power, 1875-90[edit]

Maximo Santos after assassination attempt

The power-sharing agreement of 1872 split Colorados in two factions - principistas, who were open to cooperation with Blancos and netos, who were against it. In 1873 Presidential election netos supported election of José Eugenio Ellauri, who was a surprise candidate with no political power-base. Five days of rioting in Montevideo between the two Colorado factions led to a military coup of January 15, 1875. Ellauri was exiled and neto representative Pedro Varela assumed Presidency.[13]

In May 1875 principistas began the Tricolor Revolution, which was defeated by late 1875 by unexpected coalition of Blanco leader Aparicio Saravia and Army under the command of Lorenzo Latorre.

Between 1875 and 1890, the military became the center of political power.[14] Presidency was controlled by colonels Latorre, Santos and Tajes. This period lasted through Presidencies of Pedro Varela (January 1875 – March 1876), Lorenzo Latorre (March 1876 – March 1880), Francisco Antonino Vidal (March 1880 – March 1882), Maximo Santos (March 1882 – March 1886), Francisco Antonino Vidal (March 1886 – May 1886), Maximo Santos (May 1886 – November 1886), Maximo Tajes (November 1886 – March 1890).

In 1876 Colonel Lorenzo Latorre overthrew the government of President Pedro Varela and established a strong executive Presidency. Financial situation was stabilized and exports, mainly of Hereford beef and Merino wool, increased. Fray Bentos corned beef production started. Power of regional caudillos (mostly Blancos) was reduced and a modern state apparatus established.[15]

Latorre was followed by Maximo Santos, during whose rule rebels from Argentina invaded on March 28, 1886 but were soon defeated by Maximo Tajes. On August 17, 1886 during an assassination attempt President Santos was shot in the jaw, and faced with mounting health and economical problems he resigned on November 18, 1886. Maximo Tajes was then elected President.[13]

During this authoritarian period, the government took steps toward the organization of the country as a modern state, encouraging its economic and social transformation. Pressure groups (consisting mainly of businessmen, hacendados, and industrialists) were organized and had a strong influence on government.[14] A transition period during Tajes Presidency (1886–90) followed, during which politicians began recovering lost ground and some civilian participation in government occurred.[14]


After the "Guerra Grande" there was a steady increase in the number of immigrants, which led to creation of large Italian Uruguayan and Spanish Uruguayan communities. Within a few decades population of Uruguay doubled, but Montevideo's tripled, as most of the recent immigrants settled there. The number of immigrants rose from 48% of the population in 1860 to 68% in 1868. In the 1870s, a further 100,000 Europeans arrived, so that by 1879 about 438,000 people were living in Uruguay, a quarter of them in Montevideo.[16] Due to immigration, Uruguay’s population reached 1 million in 1900.





In 1896 the state bank, Banco de la Republica was established.

Batlle era, 1903-33[edit]

Poster of President Batlle after victory over Blancos in 1904
Estado Centenario, the main stadium of the 1930 World Cup

José Batlle y Ordóñez, President from 1903 to 1907 and again from 1911 to 1915, set the pattern for Uruguay's modern political development and dominated the political scene until his death in 1929. Batlle was opposed to the co-participation agreement, because he considered division of departments among the parties to be undemocratic. Blancos feared loss of their power if proportional election system was introduced and started their last revolt in 1904, which ended with Colorado victory at the Battle of Masoller.

After the victory over Blancos, Batlle introduced widespread political, social, and economic reforms such as a welfare program, government participation in many facets of the economy and a new constitution. Batlle introduced universal male suffrage, nationalized foreign owned companies and created a modern social welfare system. Under Batlle electorate was increased from 46 000 to 188 000. Income tax for lower incomes was abolished in 1905, secondary schools established in every city (1906), right of divorce given to women (1907), telephone network nationalized (1915)[17] Unemployment benefits were introduced (1914), eight-hour working day introduced (1915), Uruguay proclaimed a secular republic (1917).

To prevent Presidential dictatorships, in 1913 Battle proposed to introduce a collective Presidency (colegiado), based on the Swiss Federal Council model. His idea was defeated in a referendum of 1916, but he managed to get support from Blancos and the Second Constitution was approved in referendum of November 25, 1917. Under the new Constitution a split executive was created - President continued to control ministries of Foreign affairs, Interior and Defense. And the new nine-man National Council of Administration, which consisted of six Colorados and three Blancos, controlled ministries of Education, Finances, Economy and Health.

Claudio Williman who served between Batlle’s two terms was his supporter and continued all his reforms, as did the next President Baltasar Brum (1919-1923).


In 1930 Uruguay hosted the first FIFA World Cup. Although the field was much smaller than the competitions of today, the event provided national pride when the home team won the tournament over their neighbors Argentina.

The coup of 1933[edit]

Batlle's split executive model lasted until 1933, when during the economic crisis of the Great Depression, President Gabriel Terra assumed dictatorial powers.[19]

The new welfare state was hit hard by the Great Depression, which also caused a growing political crisis. Terra blamed the ineffective collective leadership model and after securing agreement from the Blanco leader Luis Alberto de Herrera in March 1933 suspended the Congress, abolished the collective executive, established a dictatorial regime and introduced a new Constitution in 1934. The former President Brum committed suicide in protest against the coup.[20] In 1938 Terra was succeeded by his close political follower and brother-in-law General Alfredo Baldomir. During this time state retained large control over nation’s economy and commerce, while pursuing free-market policies. After the new Constitution of 1942 was introduced, political freedoms were restored.

World War II[edit]


On January 25, 1942 Uruguay broke diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany, as 21 American nations did the same (except for Argentina), but did not participate in any actual fighting.[21] In 1945 it formally joined the Declaration by United Nations.

Graf Spree[edit]

On December 13, 1939 the Battle of the River Plate took place off the coast of Uruguay between British forces and the German "pocket battleship" Admiral Graf Spee. After a 72-hour layover in port of Montevideo the captain of the Graf Spee, believing he was hopelessly outnumbered by the British, ordered the ship to be scuttled. Most of the surviving crew of 1,150 were interned in Uruguay and Argentina and many remained after the war. A German Embassy official in Uruguay said his government has sent an official letter stating its position as to whether Germany claims ownership of the vessel. The German claim would be invalid because early in 1940 the Nazi government sold salvaging rights to the vessel to a Uruguayan businessman who was acting on behalf of the British government. However, any salvaging rights would have expired under Uruguayan law.[22] By 1940 Germany had threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Uruguay.[23] Germany protested that Uruguay gave safe harbor to the HMS Carnarvon Castle after it was attacked by a Nazi raider.[24] The ship was repaired with steel plate reportedly salvaged from the Graf Spee.[25]

Collapse of the Uruguayan miracle[edit]

Uruguay reached the peak of it economic prosperity thanks to the WWII and the Korean war, when it reached the highest per capita income in Latin America.[26] Uruguay supplied beef, wool and leather to the Allied armies.

In 1946 a Batlle loyalist, Tomás Berreta was elected to Presidency, and after his sudden death, Batlle’s nephew Luis Batlle Berres became the President. To cover the British debt for the beef deliveries during WWII, in 1949 British owned railroads and water companies were nationalized.

Batlle’s followers within the Colorado Party gained sufficient strength to push for a constitutional referendum that adapted the new Constitution of 1952 which returned to the collective executive model - the National Council of Government was created.[27] This was the high point of Batllismo.

End of the large global military conflicts by mid-1950'ies caused troubles for the country. Because of a decrease in demand in the world market for agricultural products, Uruguay began having economic problems, which included inflation, mass unemployment, and a steep drop in the standard of living for Uruguayan workers. This led to student militancy and labor unrest.

The collective ruling council was unable to agree on harsh measures that were required to stabilize the economy. As the demand for Uruguay’s export products plummeted, the collective leadership tried to avoid budget cuts by spending Uruguay’s currency reserves and then began taking foreign loans. Uruguayan peso was devaluated, inflation reached 60% and economy was in deep crisis.

In this situation Blancos finally won the 1958 elections and became the ruling party in the Council. As Blancos struggled to improve the economy they advocated the return to a strong Presidency. Once again, after a constitutional referendum the Council was replaced by a single Presidency by the new Constitution of 1967.

Elections of 1967 returned Colorados to power, who became increasingly repressive in the face of growing popular protests and Tupamaros insurgency.

Tupamaros guerrillas[edit]



Military dictatorship, 1973-85[edit]




Around 180 Uruguayans are known to have been killed during the 12-year military rule from 1973-1985.[28] Most were killed in Argentina and other neighbouring countries, with only 36 of them having been killed in Uruguay.[29] A large number of those killed, were never found and the missing people have been referred to as the "disappeared", or "desaparecidos" in Spanish.

Recent history[edit]

Modern Montevideo









See also[edit]


  1. ^ History of Humanity: Prehistory and the beginnings of civilization
  3. ^ Racial Identities, Genetic Ancestry, and Health in South America
  4. ^ Uruguay
  6. ^ Buffer region: to1828
  7. ^ Uruguay
  8. ^ Access to History for the IB Diploma: Independence movements
  9. ^ a b Uruguay
  12. ^ Authoritarian Regimes in Latin America: Dictators, Despots, and Tyrants
  13. ^ a b Latin America’s Wars
  15. ^ A Political Economy of Uruguay since 1870
  17. ^ Uruguay
  19. ^ Authoritarian Regimes in Latin America: Dictators, Despots, and Tyrants
  20. ^ Uruguay
  26. ^ Uruguay

Bibliography and further reading[edit]

  • Freixinho, Nilton. "International Relations in South America Nineteenth Century A Case Study: The Independence and Sovereignty of Uruguay," in Peacekeeping 1815 To Today (1995) pp 612–19; ISBN 0-662-62062-3 online



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