Protectorate of Peru

Quick Facts: Who was Protectorate of Peru?

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Protectorate of Peru

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Provisional government established in 1821 following Peru's declaration of independence.

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Origins & Early Life

The Protectorate of San Martín (Spanish: Protectorado de San Martín), also known as the Protectorate of Peru (Spanish: Protectorado del Perú), was a provisional government created in 1821 in present-day Peru after its declaration of independence from the Spanish Empire. It existed for one year and 17 days under the rule of José de San Martín. The Peruvian War of Independence was a series of military conflicts in Peru which began with José Fernando de Abascal y Sousa’s military reconquest of several territories in the 1811 Battle of Guaqui. This was followed by the defeat of the Spanish Army in the 1824 Battle of Ayacucho, and ended in 1826 with the siege of Callao. Wars of independence also took place after the 1780–1781 uprising by indigenous leader Túpac Amaru II and the earlier removal of the Upper Peru and Río de la Plata regions from the Viceroyalty of Peru.

Career & Major Achievements

The viceroy often had the support of the "Lima oligarchy," who saw their elite interests threatened by popular rebellion and were opposed to the new commercial class in Buenos Aires. During the first decade of the 1800s, Peru had been a stronghold for royalists who fought freedom fighters in Peru, Upper Peru, Quito and Chile. Among the war's most important events was the proclamation of Peruvian independence by José de San Martín on July 28, 1821. The Spanish Empire's central authority was lost during the 1807–1814 Peninsular War, and many regions established autonomous local administrations known as juntas. Viceroy of Peru José Fernando de Abascal y Sousa was instrumental in organizing armies to suppress uprisings in Upper Peru and defending the region from armies sent by the juntas of the Río de la Plata.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the success of the royalist armies, Abascal annexed Upper Peru to the viceroyalty. This benefited the Lima merchants, since trade from the silver-rich region was then directed to the Pacific. Because of this, Peru remained strongly royalist and participated in the political reforms implemented by the Cortes of Cádiz (1810–1814) despite Abascal's resistance. Peru was represented at the first session of the Cortes by seven legislators, and local cabildos (representative bodies) were elected. It was the next-to-last redoubt of the Spanish monarchy in South America, after Upper Peru.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1780: 1780 Milestone — Wars of independence also took place after the 1780–1781 uprising by indigenous leader Túpac Amaru II and the earlier removal of the Upper Peru and Río de la Plata regions from the Viceroyalty of Peru.
2. 1807: 1807 Milestone — The Spanish Empire's central authority was lost during the 1807–1814 Peninsular War, and many regions established autonomous local administrations known as juntas.
3. 1810: 1810 Milestone — Because of this, Peru remained strongly royalist and participated in the political reforms implemented by the Cortes of Cádiz (1810–1814) despite Abascal's resistance.
4. 1811: 1811 Milestone — The Peruvian War of Independence was a series of military conflicts in Peru which began with José Fernando de Abascal y Sousa’s military reconquest of several territories in the 1811 Battle of Guaqui.
5. 1821: 1821 Milestone — The Protectorate of San Martín (Spanish: Protectorado de San Martín), also known as the Protectorate of Peru (Spanish: Protectorado del Perú), was a provisional government created in 1821 in present-day Peru after its declaration of independence from the Spanish Empire.
6. 1824: 1824 Milestone — This was followed by the defeat of the Spanish Army in the 1824 Battle of Ayacucho, and ended in 1826 with the siege of Callao.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Protectorate of Peru

True or False: “The Protectorate of San Martín was the final governing body before Spain formally recognized Peruvian independence in 1836.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Spain renounced its American territories ten years later in 1836, which marked the end of its vast empire, not a specific recognition by the Protectorate.

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