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76-473: The square lies on the former site of a mansion known as the Quinta de Miserere . Around 1814, it was known as Mataderos de Miserere (Slaughterhouses of Miserere), Hueco de los corrales (Hole of the corrals) in 1817, and Mercado del Oeste (Western Market) by 1850. It was also known as Mercado (or Plaza ) 11 de septiembre (11 September Market or plaza); the name Plaza Miserere dates from 1947. The plaza

152-742: A Line A station for the Buenos Aires Metro was built underneath. This station was officially named after the square above it, but like the square itself became more popularly known as Plaza Once . The square's current design is from 1923. The mausoleum of Bernardino Rivadavia , the first Constitutional President of Argentina, was created by sculptor Rogelio Yrurtia and added in 1932, where his ashes remain despite his wish that they not stay in Argentina. 34°36′35″S 58°24′26.8″W  /  34.60972°S 58.407444°W  / -34.60972; -58.407444 This article about

228-583: A militia . Buenos Aires was then a large settlement housing approximately 45,000, but the Viceroy was reluctant to give weapons to the Creole population. The best troops had been dispatched to Upper Peru , present-day Bolivia , to guard the frontiers from Túpac Amaru II 's revolt, and when Sobremonte learned of the British presence in the area he dispatched the remaining troops to Montevideo , considering that

304-497: A Junta in the city. Álzaga set off a mutiny to do the same in Buenos Aires, but the forces under the command of Cornelio Saavedra defeated it and kept Liniers in power. Álzaga was jailed and the military bodies that took part in the mutiny were dissolved, which left only military bodies loyal to the criollos. The Junta of Seville appointed a new viceroy, Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros . Some Criollos proposed Liniers to resist

380-547: A complete military occupation of South America was practical but argued for taking control of key locations to allow the main objective, to open new markets for the British economy. Although there was consensus for weakening Spanish control over its South American colonies, there was no agreement as to the system and the moment to take such action. For instance, it was not even agreed whether the cities be turned into British colonies after their capture or just be made into British protectorates. In 1805 Popham received orders to escort

456-407: A few schooners, which joined a French privateer corvette. Landing on August 4, Liniers and his men rushed across the marshes to Buenos Aires. The city was recovered after fierce street fighting that ended with the storming of the cathedral, which had been fortified by the British. British General William Carr Beresford capitulated and offered his sword; true to Liniers's vow, British colours (those of

532-543: A further 2,000 were taken prisoner while the British had taken 600 casualties. On 10 May, Lieutenant-General John Whitelocke arrived in Montevideo to take overall command of the British forces -this had about 13,000 soldiers, due to the losses suffered in Montevideo – on the Río de la Plata, landing on 27 June. On 1 July, the force led by Liniers engaged the British but was overwhelmed by superior numbers at Miserere , in

608-712: A location in the City of Buenos Aires , Argentina is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . British invasions of the R%C3%ADo de la Plata First invasion: Second invasion: First invasion: Second invasion: The British invasions of the River Plate were two unsuccessful British attempts to seize control of the Spanish colony of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata , located around

684-404: A militia near the city, but was discovered before being ready, and his troops were defeated. Santiago de Liniers , who was assigned to guard a nearby coast defense, got into the city and weighed the situation. He convinced Álzaga to hold on his plan, and moved to Montevideo . The governor Pascual Ruiz Huidobro gave him command of 550 veterans and 400 soldiers to return to Buenos Aires and attempt

760-640: A project of colonel William Fullarton to take the Americas with attacks from both the Atlantic (from Europe) and the Pacific (from India). This project was cancelled. In 1789 war between Great Britain and Spain seemed imminent after the Nootka Crisis . The Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda took the opportunity to appear before prime Minister William Pitt with his proposal to emancipate

836-819: A renewal of the Bourbon Family Compact . The San Vicente was part of the Spanish-French naval squadron fighting against the Royal Navy in South America. Liniers distinguished himself during the American Revolution. In 1780, with a few sloops, he captured a three-masted ship of 24 guns. In 1782, he distinguished himself particularly in the siege of Port Mahon : under fire, he moved to where two British ships had collided, which were laden with arms and ammunition. He captured

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912-529: A source of criticism. As an example, his relation with Ana Périchon "la pericona" was severely pointed out, forcing him to lock her at her home and later to deport her to colonial Brazil. In the same spirit, his French birth became highly controversial when France invaded Spain, and started the Peninsular War , which included the removal of the Spanish king and queen by the French occupying forces. Despite

988-469: A street of Buenos Aires named after him, after the triumph against the British invasions. However, after the counterrevolution and the new number of heroes of the Argentine War of Independence , most names of such streets were modified in 1822, during the government of Martín Rodríguez . The former Liniers street consisted of the modern Defensa and Reconquista streets. The higher recognition to

1064-685: A volunteer in the campaigns against the Moors in Algiers . He benefited from the third Pacte de Famille (1761), which allowed Frenchmen to take part in Spanish military campaigns with equal rights and requirements as the Spaniards. At the campaign's conclusion, Liniers took an exam as a Midshipman in Cádiz , to serve as a volunteer for the Spanish Crown. In 1775 he earned the rank of Ensign in

1140-626: The Carlotist project, which tried to crown Charlotte of Spain , sister of Ferdinand, as Regent of the Spanish territories in the Americas, under a Constitutional monarchy . The project did not achieve success. The news of the creation of the Junta of Seville was seen by both criollos and peninsulars as a chance to create similar governments locally, but they had different perspectives on the political line such governments should have. Javier de Elío , governor of Montevideo and allied with Álzaga, created

1216-666: The David Baird -led expedition against the Dutch colony of the Cape of Good Hope , which was allied with Napoleon. With nearly 6,300 men they took it in January 1806. Popham received new orders from the admiralty to patrol the east coast of South America, from Rio de Janeiro to the Río de la Plata, in order to detect any attempt to counterattack the Cape. However, Popham had the idea of taking

1292-694: The French Royal Navy , and Henriette Thérèse de Brémond d'Ars (1725–1770). The Liniers family had been part of the French nobility since the 11th century . One of their ancestors, Guillaume de Liniers, was killed at the Battle of Poitiers , during the Hundred Years' War . Eight other members were professed knights of the Order of Saint John . In 1765, when Jacques was 12 years old, he entered

1368-730: The May Revolution took place, Liniers decided to come out of his retirement and organized a monarchist uprising in Córdoba . Liniers was forced to flee, but was eventually captured and executed without trial. Santiago de Liniers y Bremond, Chevalier of the Order of Saint John , Caballero of the Order of Montesa , and Captain in the Spanish Royal Navy was born in Niort , Poitou , France , as Jacques, 4th son of Jacques Joseph Louis, comte de Liniers (1723–1785) and Captain in

1444-461: The Panteón de Marinos Ilustres of the island of San Fernando , Cádiz . At this time, Liniers's descendants received the hereditary title of "Conde de la Lealtad" (Count of Loyalty). His house at Alta Gracia was abandoned after his death, and bought in 1820 by José Manuel Solares. His family kept it for a long time, until it was expropriated in 1969 and turned into a museum in 1977. It was declared

1520-704: The Río de la Plata as the most favourable location for a British colony. The Napoleonic Wars played a key role in the Rio de la Plata conflict and since the beginning of the European conquest of the Americas , the British had been interested in the riches of the region. The Peace of Basel in 1795 ended the war between Spain and France. In 1796, by the Second Treaty of San Ildefonso , Spain joined France in its war with

1596-674: The Río de la Plata in South America – in present-day Argentina and Uruguay . The invasions took place between 1806 and 1807, as part of the Napoleonic Wars , War of the Third Coalition at a time when Spain was an ally of Napoleonic France . In Argentine historiography, the two successive defeats of the British expeditionary forces are known collectively as the "Reconquista" and the "Defensa", respectively. The invasions occurred in two phases. A detachment from

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1672-508: The battle of Trafalgar . France attacked Britain economically by imposing the Continental System , locking the continent to British trade. Needing new markets, Britain invaded Buenos Aires and Montevideo , two Spanish colonies in South America (Spain was allied to France in the war). Home Riggs Popham attempted to invade Buenos Aires, without official orders. June 23, 1806, a British expeditionary force of 1,700 men landed on

1748-480: The 1,200-strong British contingent that would help in the liberation of Chile. Whitelocke left the Río de la Plata basin taking with him the British forces in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Colonia , but leaving behind 400 seriously wounded. On his return to the United Kingdom, he was court-martialled and cashiered , mainly for surrendering Montevideo. There was much criticism in the British newspapers in

1824-575: The 1806 victory and, by extension, of the campaign as a whole, 12 August is celebrated in Argentina as the day of the "Reconquista de Buenos Aires". After having to fight the British invasions by themselves with little direct help from Spain that at the moment was involved in the Napoleonic Wars , the seeds of independence were starting to grow. Local militia battalions being commanded mostly by revolutionaries (like Cornelio Saavedra , Manuel Belgrano , Esteban Romero, Juan Martín de Pueyrredón , Juan José Viamonte and Martín Rodriguez) also contributed to

1900-476: The Argentine people issued from the formation of criollo armies, and thought that Spanish influence was in danger. On the opposite side, criollo people who were asking for more independence, had some difficulty understanding the perfect sense of loyalty of a navy officer issued from old French nobility who intended to respect his oath to the king of Spain. In this context, every action coming from Liniers became

1976-496: The British army occupied Buenos Aires for 46 days in 1806 before being expelled. In 1807, a second force stormed and occupied Montevideo , remaining for several months, and a third force made a second attempt to take Buenos Aires. After several days of street fighting against the local militia and Spanish colonial army, in which half of the British forces were killed or wounded, the British were forced to capitulate and withdraw from Montevideo two months later. The social effects of

2052-549: The British would receive the benefits of unrestricted trade and usufruct of the Isthmus of Panama, in order to build a channel for the passage of ships. Pitt accepted the proposal and began to organize the expedition. The Nootka Convention in 1790 ended hostilities, and the Miranda mission was canceled. Nicholas Vansittart made a new proposal in 1796: the plan was to take Buenos Aires, then move to Chile and attack from there

2128-528: The Highlanders regiment and Green St. Helena) were transferred to the church of the convent of the Dominicans, where they are still held. After the victory, the society stayed on military alert, suspecting that the British might counterattack. The Buenos Aires Cabildo called an open cabildo to discuss the next steps, including the actions to take regarding viceroy Sobremonte. They decided to prevent

2204-651: The New World territories under Portuguese and Spanish rule and turn them into a great independent empire governed by a descendant of the Incas . The plan presented in London requested the assistance of Great Britain and the United States to militarily occupy the major South American cities, ensuring that the people would greet the British cordially and would rush to organize sovereign governments. In return for this help,

2280-440: The Río de la Plata with a military action similar to the one made at the Cape. His agent William White had informed him about the local politics of the city , such as the discontent among some groups about the restrictive regulations enforced by Spain about international commerce. Popham manifested Baird his will to take the zone, with or without his help. Baird gave him the 71st Regiment of Infantry, artillery and 1,000 men to attempt

2356-748: The Spanish Navy. In 1776, under the orders of Pedro de Cevallos , Liniers sailed to the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata and took part on the occupation of Santa Catarina Island in Portuguese Brazil and the attack on Colonia del Sacramento (modern day Uruguay ). In 1779, Liniers was an officer on the San Vicente . Spain joined the Franco-American alliance in the American Revolutionary War as

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2432-527: The Spanish elite, fearful of an attempt of secession from the Spanish Crown. On this first invasion, the 71st Regiment of Foot lost both of its Regimental Colours during the combat, which are currently held in Argentina. On the second invasion, there was a frustrated attempt to recover both flags. They were retaken by the Buenos Aires militia and returned to the Santo Domingo convent. On 3 February 1807 Montevideo, defended by approximately 5,000 men,

2508-744: The Spanish stronghold of El Callao in Peru . This proposal was canceled the following year, but was improved by Thomas Maitland in 1800 as the Maitland Plan . The new plan was to seize control of Buenos Aires with 4,000 soldiers and 1,500 cavalry, move to Mendoza, and prepare a military expedition to cross the Andes and conquer Chile. From there, the British would move from sea to seize Peru and then Quito. All these proposals were discussed in 1804 by William Pitt , Lord Henry Melville , Francisco de Miranda and Sir Home Riggs Popham . Popham did not believe

2584-495: The United Kingdom, thus giving the United Kingdom cause for military action against Spanish colonies. In 1805 the United Kingdom judged it the right moment after the defeat of the Franco-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar . This battle forced Spain to reduce to a minimum its naval communications with its American colonies. Historically, Buenos Aires had been relatively neglected by Spain, which sent most of its ships to

2660-416: The attack would be in that city. Thus, the British found Buenos Aires almost defenseless. The British took Quilmes , near Buenos Aires, on 25 June 1806, and reached and occupied Buenos Aires on 27 June. The Viceroy fled to Córdoba with the city's treasury, but lost it to British forces during his escape. Although his action was in line with a law enacted by former Viceroy Pedro de Cevallos , which required

2736-530: The city environs. At this crucial moment, Whitelocke did not attempt to enter the city, but twice demanded the city's surrender. Meanwhile, Buenos Aires' mayor Martín de Álzaga organised the defence of the city by digging trenches, fortifying buildings and erecting fences with great popular support for the Creoles hungered for independence. Finally, three days after forcing the troops under Liniers to retreat, Whitelocke resolved to attack Buenos Aires. Trusting in

2812-505: The city's centre was still in the hands of the defenders, and the invaders were now demoralized. At this point, a counter-attack by the militias and colonial troops present, defeated many important British commanders, including Robert Craufurd and Denis Pack . Then Whitelocke proposed a 24-hour truce, which was rejected by Liniers, who ordered an artillery attack. After suffering 311 killed, 679 wounded and 1,808 captured or missing, Whitelocke signed an armistice with Liniers on 12 August;

2888-665: The clear statements by Liniers of remaining loyal to the Spanish Empire and his refusal to accept Joseph Bonaparte as king, his political enemies created rumours that he was plotting to accept Bonaparte. They also promoted in the Río de la Plata the xenophobia that was taking place in Spain against the French, as an indirect means to attack Liniers and lower his prestige. The arrival of Sassenay, an agent of Napoleon seeking recognition for Joseph Bonaparte as King of Spain, boosted rumors and controversy. The criollo peoples promoted

2964-520: The command of the Río de la Plata in 1788 to organize a flotilla of gunships. Liniers took with him his son Luis and his first wife, Juana de Menviel, whom he had married in Málaga . She died two years later in 1790. Liniers married again, this time in Buenos Aires, to María Martina Sarratea, daughter of one of the richest merchants of Buenos Aires. The Napoleonic Wars expanded to South America. Britain gained naval supremacy over France with its victory at

3040-562: The counterrevolution, which he refused in the name of honor and respect to his word. The Córdoba Cabildo gave recognition instead to the Regency Council of Cádiz, and Cisneros secretly gave authorization to Liniers to raise the viceroyalty against the Junta. Liniers wrote to other Royalist leaders, trying to organize the forces to fight against Buenos Aires. The Junta decided that, among the many enemies that could threaten it, Córdoba

3116-465: The growth of revolutionary zeal. In 1808, Napoleon placed his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the throne of Spain giving the chance in 1810 for the May Revolution to take place, as a prelude to the Declaration of Independence of Argentina of 1816. Santiago de Liniers Santiago Antonio María de Liniers y Bremond, 1st Count of Buenos Aires , KOM , OM (July 25, 1753 – August 26, 1810 )

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3192-643: The heroes of the War of Independence stayed, but Liniers got renewed recognition with time. The Buenos Aires neighborhood of Liniers is named after him, as well as the Santiago de Liniers municipality in the Misiones Province . In 1861, Queen Isabella II of Spain formally requested Liniers's body from the Argentine Government. The remains were brought back to Spain and solemnly buried in

3268-458: The horses were trained to ignore the noise of cannon shots. A new British task force, much larger than the first one, arrived the next year. It was led by Samuel Auchmuty , later replaced by John Whitelocke . This time they attacked Montevideo, which fell under their domination. The Real Audiencia of Buenos Aires decided to depose Sobremonte from his role as viceroy, confirmed Liniers as commander-in-chief, and appointed him as interim viceroy. It

3344-436: The importance of urban combat , in which the inhabitants employed cooking pots filled with burning oil and boiling water from rooftops, injuring several soldiers of the 88th Regiment. The locals eventually overwhelmed the British troops. The British suffered 1,000 casualties. By the end of 5 July 1807, the British controlled Retiro and Residencia at the cost of about 70 officers and 1,000 other ranks killed or wounded, but

3420-470: The invasion. Baird promoted William Carr Beresford to general and designated him vice governor of the zone if it was taken. The expedition got reinforcements of 300 men from the Artillery and [St Helena] Regiment. The Spanish Viceroy, Marquis Rafael de Sobremonte , had asked the Spanish Crown for reinforcements many times, but only received a shipment of several thousand muskets and instructions to form

3496-579: The invasions are among the causes of the May Revolution . The criollos , who had so far been denied important positions, could get political strength through military roles. The successful resistance with little help from Spain fostered the desire for self-determination. An open cabildo and the Royal Audiencia of Buenos Aires deposed the viceroy Rafael de Sobremonte and designated instead French popular hero Santiago de Liniers , which

3572-567: The left bank of the Río de la Plata and invaded Buenos Aires, which had been abandoned by the Viceroy. Liniers remained in the city in disguise, staying in the Dominican convent. At the altar of the Virgin, he vowed to return with the colours (flags) of the British. He escaped to Montevideo and, with the help of its governor Pascual Ruiz Huidobro , galvanized the people, raising a force of 1,200 volunteers. He embarked with this liberation army on

3648-478: The local marines playing an important part in defeating Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd and his two thousand troops at the Battle of Plaza del Mercado which is now recalled by the people of Buenos Aires as 'The Defence'. In the confusion of defeat, many British soldiers deserted their units and more than 50 were returned to the British and were court-martialed, while others were allowed to stay and would form part of

3724-697: The military academy of the Order of St. John. (As a younger son who was unlikely to inherit the title or the estates, Liniers was sent to their school in order to train for a military career.) After three years, he graduated with the Cross of Chevalier (1768). He was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant of Cavalry in the Royal-Piémont Regiment  [ fr ] in the French Royal Army . In 1774 Liniers requested dismissal and re-enlisted as

3800-458: The morale of the troops rose when Liniers returned alive. The British forced an entry into the city and encountered strong resistance, with many British battalions eventually being overwhelmed, while others tried to resist at strategic points. Whitelocke suggested a truce, which was rejected by Liniers, who also attacked the British ships within cannon range. Whitelocke's defeat was complete, and Liniers demanded that all British forces be removed from

3876-407: The more economically important city of Lima . The last time a significant Spanish military force had arrived in Buenos Aires had been in 1784. Great Britain had long harboured interests in taking control of the region from the Spanish before the invasions. Attempts had been made by the British in past conflicts to establish a foothold in South America, like in the Battle of Cartagena de Indias , at

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3952-537: The name Ciudad de la Santísima Trinidad y Puerto de Santa María del Buen Ayre (City of the Most Holy Trinity and Port of Saint Mary of the Fair Winds), and the city became one of the largest in the Americas. A Portuguese colony was founded at Colonia del Sacramento , on the opposite bank of the Río de la Plata, in 1680. To deter Portuguese expansion, the Spanish founded Montevideo in 1726, and Colonia

4028-429: The old Master or none at all) before leaving to Uruguay. Religious leaders swore loyalty as well, after the promise that the Roman Catholic religion would be respected. The Royal Audience ceased its activities. Some merchants were displeased by the repeal of the Spanish monopoly and the opening to British trade, as it harmed their interests; one of their leaders was Martín de Álzaga . Juan Martín de Pueyrredón organised

4104-428: The peak of the War of Jenkins' Ear . In 1711, John Pullen stated that the Río de la Plata was the best place in the world for making a British colonial trading base. His proposal included Santa Fe and Asunción , and would have generated an agricultural area with Buenos Aires as the main port. Admiral Vernon also declared the benefit of opening markets in those areas in 1741. By 1780 the British government approved

4180-403: The prisoners, aware of their popularity, so he delivered them to Buenos Aires as prisoners instead. The Junta feared the effect that the entry of Liniers into the city might have, so Juan José Castelli was sent, with orders to replace Ocampo and execute the prisoners. The execution took place at Cabeza de Tigre, on the border between Santa Fe and Córdoba. Liniers had been recognized in life with

4256-574: The re-conquest. Sobremonte was doing the same in Córdoba, but Liniers got to Buenos Aires first. On 4 August 1806, Liniers landed at Las Conchas , north of Buenos Aires, and advanced with a mixed force of Buenos Aires line troops and Montevideo Militia toward the city. On 10 August he took control of the strategic points of Miserere and El Retiro, holding the north and west entries to the city. Beresford finally surrendered on 14 August. An open cabildo decided afterwards to depose Sobremonte from having military authority, and giving such authority, instead, to

4332-478: The replacement with the forces under his command. It was considered that only a rightful king could appoint viceroys, and despite the circumstances of his designation Liniers had been confirmed in office by Charles IV; whereas Cisneros, appointed just by the Junta, may have lacked such legitimacy. However, Liniers rejected the proposal, and gave up government without resistance. After leaving government, he retired from politics and moved to Córdoba province, settling in

4408-431: The ships and conveyed them to the Spanish lines. He was promoted to Frigate Captain . A few months later Liniers took part in a new expedition , this time against the city of Algiers , in North Africa, which was the main base of the Barbary corsairs , with the aim of forcing them to stop piracy and the Barbary slave trade . As the campaign did not go well for the Spanish navy, Madrid tried to negotiate instead. Liniers

4484-409: The superiority of his soldiers, he divided his army into 12 columns and advanced without the protection of the artillery . His army was met on the streets by a mixed-race militia, including 686 African slaves, stiffened by the local 1st Naval Infantry Battalion and 1st 'Patricios' Infantry Regiment , and fighting continued on the streets of Buenos Aires on 4 July and 5 July. Whitelocke underestimated

4560-417: The territories of Viceroyalty, including the Banda Oriental, in no more than 2 months, as well as an exchange of prisoners. Whitelocke accepted the conditions and surrendered. There was a large number of celebrations after the victory against the British. Liniers was officially appointed as viceroy in May 1808, and awarded the title of "Count of Buenos Aires". However, this victory of the Argentine people which

4636-436: The town of Alta Gracia . However, he came out of his retirement shortly after, when news of the May Revolution arrived to the province. The governor of Córdoba, Juan Antonio Gutiérrez de la Concha, called for a meeting of the social elite of Córdoba, Liniers included, in order to discuss reactions towards the Primera Junta . At this time, Liniers's father-in-law, Martín de Sarratea, wrote a letter to ask him to stay away from

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4712-418: The treasury to be kept safe in case of a foreign attack, he was seen as a coward by the population because of it. Initially the British forces were met with a lukewarm welcome by the residents of the city, with some wealthy families throwing feasts in honour of the British officers. Nevertheless, some political figures remained antagonistic. Manuel Belgrano said "Queremos al antiguo amo o a ninguno" (we want

4788-489: The viceroy from returning to the city, and appoint Liniers, who was regarded as a hero, as commander-in-chief. Sobremonte accepted, and moved to Montevideo. Liniers drafted all the male population capable of bearing arms, including African slaves, into the defense of the city. He arranged for each regiment to vote for its officers. All the lead in the city was confiscated (even pipes and cutlery) to be melted into ordnance. The Cabildo requested other cities to lend gunpowder, and

4864-448: The victorious Liniers. Sobremonte would not return to Buenos Aires, and moved to Montevideo instead. The open cabildo also decided to prepare the city against the possibility of a British counter-attack. Foreseeing the possibility of a second invasion, militias were formed by the Spanish and criollos , such as the Patricios , Arribeños, Húsares (of Pueyrredón ), Pardos and Morenos. The creation of such local forces created concern within

4940-437: The walls, the British met heavy resistance as the Spanish fought to halt their advance, but they gradually spread out and forced back the defenders. On the other side of the city a second assault was launched, spearheaded by the 87th Regiment of Foot taking the Spanish defenders in the rear. The Spanish Governor Ruiz Huidobro accepted Auchmuty's demand of unconditional surrender around 5:00 a.m. The Spanish took 600 casualties and

5016-497: The way Whitelocke had conducted himself, and for having surrendered to a largely militia force. Whitelocke would claim that in the 71st Regiment of Foot alone there were 170 deserters. Liniers was later named Viceroy of the Río de la Plata by the Spanish Crown. According to Uruguayan journalist Juan José de Soiza Reilly, some 3,000 British dead are today buried in a mass grave under passageway Cinco de Julio near Avenida Belgrano in downtown Buenos Aires. In commemoration of

5092-417: Was a Spanish military officer and a viceroy of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata . Although born Jacques de Liniers in France, he is more widely known by the Spanish form of his name. He was popularly regarded as the hero of the reconquest of Buenos Aires after the first British invasion of the River Plate . As a result of his success, he was appointed as viceroy, replacing Rafael de Sobremonte . It

5168-418: Was a completely unprecedented action: before that, the viceroy was only subject to the King of Spain himself, and no one from the colonies had authority over him. Pedro de Mendoza founded the Ciudad de Nuestra Señora del Buen Ayre ( The City of Our Lady of the Fair Winds ) on 2 February 1536 as a Spanish settlement. The site was abandoned in 1541, but it was re-established in 1580 by Juan de Garay with

5244-539: Was an unprecedented action. Once the Banda Oriental had been secured, the British prepared the attack on Buenos Aires. They were aware that the city was prepared for the invasion, but their forces were greater than in the first one, 23 ships and 11,000 soldiers. John Whitelocke , leader of the British forces, moved to Buenos Aires next to the River. Liniers left the city to battle him, being defeated, but managed to retreat and return to Buenos Aires. Álzaga, assuming that Liniers had died, put his defense plans in motion, and

5320-440: Was besieged at 2:00am by a 15,000 strong British force in a joint military and naval operation under General Sir Samuel Auchmuty and a naval squadron under Admiral Sir Charles Stirling . Reinforcements for the defenders came en route from Buenos Aires, so that the rapid success of the operation was essential. Swiftly breached, the city was then assaulted by the 40th regiment and the elite 95th (Rifle) regiment. Once inside

5396-419: Was entrusted with this mission. The king of Tripoli was delighted with Liniers, and agreed to free several European prisoners. The Barbary pirates associated with North Africa had long been attacking European shipping in the Mediterranean, and had taken numerous prisoners over the years. The Spanish court rewarded Liniers for this diplomatic success, promoting him to the rank of captain and entrusting him with

5472-534: Was finally ceded to Spain under the Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1777, one year after the creation of the Spanish Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata , the forerunner of modern Argentina . The South Sea Company was granted trading concessions in South America in the time of Queen Anne , under the Treaty of Utrecht . The British had long harboured ambitions in South America, considering the estuary of

5548-463: Was obtained without any military help from Spain led to a new political situation in which some will for independence started to emerge. In this configuration Liniers, who appeared to be a fantastic leader during the emergency crisis, began to be criticized by the different parties including the conservative members of the Cabildo, led by Álzaga. On one side, Spanish leaders criticized the new power of

5624-482: Was the most dangerous, so an army led by Ortiz de Ocampo was sent to fight against it. However, there was no fighting: the counterrevolutionary army was severely damaged by espionage, desertions, and sabotage. The mere proximity of the troops from Buenos Aires caused the complete dispersion of the army gathered by Liniers. Liniers and the other top personnel of the counterrevolution tried to flee in multiple directions, but Ocampo captured them all. Ocampo refused to execute

5700-618: Was the site of skirmishes during the British invasions of 1806. It was the site of the defeat of the troops under Santiago de Liniers during the second invasion of 1807. The market functioned until 1882, when Mayor Torcuato de Alvear began the demarcation of the plaza. In 1882 it was used as the site for the South American Continental Exhibition . The neighboring Once Terminal was inaugurated in 1898. The square underwent an important remodel in 1913, when

5776-452: Was unprecedented for a viceroy to be replaced without the King's direct intervention. But he was confirmed in office by Charles IV of Spain . He defended the settlement against a second British invasion and a mutiny that sought to replace him. He was replaced in 1809 by Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros , appointed as viceroy by the Junta of Seville , and retired from public activity. But when

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