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[center][b][u]Confederacion Argentina (Argentine Confederation)[/b][/u][/center]

[i]Since declaring independence from Spain in 1816, the fledgling nation of Argentina has been embroiled in conflict within its own borders, whilst simultaneously having to juggle the threat of foreign infringement of Argentine sovereignty. The internal strife was founded by the division between two political factions: the dominant province of Buenos Aires versus the rest of the provinces. Centralists in Buenos Aires supported the idea of a strong national government. While Federalists in the rest of the country sought a more equitable arrangement that would distribute wealth and power throughout the provinces, as opposed to having it concentrated in the capital of Buenos Aires. It is the conflict between the Centralists and the Federalists that caused great turmoil in Argentina, which continued for decades after its independence.

 Over the years the two sides would fight fiercely against one another in the battle for political power, desperate to gain the upper hand. But neither side was able to deal the decisive blow that would mean they could take complete control of the country. By 1861, the Federalists had managed to build a confederation of Argentine provinces, but they were unable to wholly appease the Centralists in Buenos Aires who had declared the Province of Buenos Aires an independent nation. Despite this, Buenos Aires was soon forced to capitulate after defeats on the battlefield- they reluctantly joined the Confederation. However, the war was not over. The national President Santiago Derqui of the Federalist faction became increasingly unpopular. He faced revolts in some of his own Federalist provinces. This was an opportunity the Centralists could not afford to waste. With the Confederation in disarray, Buenos Aires declared its independence once more and would move to exert its influence over the nation. The two sides would oppose one another on the field of battle again. It would seem that the fate of the Argentine nation was to forever be at war with itself. However, it would take one man to realise that in order to end the civil war once and for all, a different approach was needed. 

General Bartolome Mitre (Centralist. Governor of the State of Buenos Aires) addresses his troops after the Battle of Pavon. 17 September, 1861:[/i]

"Gentlemen, today we have won a decisive and emphatic victory over the Federalist forces. Indeed, it is a day for celebration, for we have brought honor to the State of Buenos Aires. But it is also a day of sorrow, for we have lost many of our brothers on the battlefield. They fought valiantly and their sacrifice will be remembered always. I feel this war has gone on for far too long. Too many of our people have died. So while we mourn for our fallen comrades, let us also mourn for those that lost their lives fighting against us. For they too are our brothers. It is time we no longer slaughtered each other in battle over our political differences, but rather it is time we united as a nation- as a people- for we are all Argentine and for that we all have reason to be proud!

This victory shall not be squandered. The State of Buenos Aires has been victimised by the Federalists in the past, but I will not let that disrupt the promising future of Argentina. We will not seek revenge against those that have wronged us. Instead we shall seek reconciliation. For that is the only way our nation will become whole. In order for reconciliation to be successful, we will need to make concessions. I am confident we can work with the Federalists to bring about a new age of peace and prosperity for Argentina and all her people!"

[i]Centralists would continue to have victories on the battlefield. This led to the resignation of President Santiago Derqui. General Mitre used his success not as leverage to demand concessions from the Confederation, but rather he presented himself as a unifying figure. He began to gain influence in all provinces of Argentina and this led to the dissolution of the Confederate government, with the National Congress confirming him as interim President of the country. With that a new nation was born, henceforth to be known as the Argentine Republic. In 1862 an election was held to determine the President of the Republic and Bartolome Mitre ran for office with a leader of the Federalist faction as his running mate. With this newfound solidarity between the factions, Mitre was elected and a new day dawned for the people of the Argentine Republic.[/i]