In 1776 Buenos Aires was announced as the new capital of the viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. Although the Spanish had control of the area, their trade restrictions on the locals led to a revolt which ended in a declaration of independence in 1816.

As Argentina developed and grew there also grew a rift between the capital and the provinces. Those from the capital came to known as the Unitarists while those from outside the capital were known as the Federalists. Civil war followed which was a bloody, messy and exhausting period of Argentina’s history.

In 1829 Juan Manuel de Rosas came to power. A Federalist he actually applied his own brand on Unitarist principles which centralised control of the nation from Buenos Aires. Although stability returned to Argentina the country paid a price for it as the leader implemented policy through a strong military and the infamous mazorca (secret police). In 1852 Rosas was removed from power.

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