Early Career
Born in Feb. 25, 1778, José de San Martín would be the man to take the rebel sentiment of Latin America and turn it into an all out revolt. He was the son of Spanish parents in the small village Yapeyú (located in modern Argentina). He was brought back to Spain at the age of six where he began his education at the Seminary of Nobles, Madrid. For the first twenty years of his live, he would live as a loyal Spanish officer in the monarch's army; he rose in the ranks to captain in 1804. During the years of Napoleon's conquest of Spain, beginning in 1808, San Martin would ascend even further up the military ladder, taking the rank of lieutenant colonel. Finally, he was offered command of a Spanish dragoon unit; however, he opted to return to South America, landing in 1812. He had been a loyal Spanish citizen for the first thirty-four years of his life, but during the next nine years he would wrest Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish rule.
Wavering Allegiance
The true reasons behind José de San Martín's pivotal choice to support the rebels were likely taken with him to the grave; however, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that one man, in particular, may have swayed him: his recruiter, James Duff. James Duff, 4th Earl of Fife, had fought in Spain and made San Martín a freeman, giving him the chance to attain his stature. In his own words, José always attributed his sacrifice as one done in the name of his homeland, an honorable sentiment indeed. More likely, San Martín was bitter because of the Spanish government's prejudice towards anyone from the colonies. His first employer as a turncoat was the government of Buenos Aires. After a few short months spent training soldiers and skirmishing with loyalists he was promoted. He assumed command from General Manuel Belgrano in 1813 and was quickly embroiled in battle with Peruvian loyalist forces.
Campaigns
Between Jan. 18 and Feb. 8, 1817 José de San Martín led his men across the treacherous Andes mountains. Upon reaching Chile, he managed to crush Spanish forces that had been spread thin attempting to cover all entrances to Chile. Declining the governorship, he managed to expel all major loyalist armies by April 5, 1818. However, San Martín's goal of capturing Lima, Peru had not yet been completed. To move all of his men to the Peruvian cost, he would need to commission Chilean naval transports; the fleet was christened in August of 1820. July 28, 1821: wisely, San Martín chose to besiege Lima, rather than attack a superior force. Since King Ferdinand VII had only recently reclaimed his throne from Napoleon, the loyalist army was forced to retreat into the mountains whereupon José de San Martín strolled into the capital, victorious.
Simon Bolivar
Simón Bolívar
Another liberating general of the era was Simón Bolívar. The two met in Guayaquil on July 26, 1822 where they congratulated each other on their achievements and their combined success in routing Spanish forces. What transpired between the two ins secret has never, and likely will never, be revealed. However, San Martín left South America quickly with a melancholic foresight gained at Bolívar's cruel hand. He relinquished his protectorship of Peru on September 20, 1822 and lived the rest of life in exile, accompanying his daughter. He passed in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Frances in the year of 1850.
Implications
What José de San Martín understood at the height of his success disturbed him greatly, for there was nothing he could do to stop it. Over the next few centuries, many dictators would rise in South America. Most would subject their people to a harsh, impoverished existence. The very freedom that San Martín had fought so hard for would be egregiously adulterated. In his own words, “The presence of a successful soldier (no matter how disinterested) is dangerous to the States that have just been constituted.” Today however, a number of successful democracies have been painstakingly, finally formed, thanks to his hard efforts. Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina all enjoy strong economies under just governments.
Other Resources
-Martin Hoffman