Unitarianists orUnitarians (inSpanish,Unitarios) were the proponents of the concept of aunitary state (centralized government) inBuenos Aires during the civil wars that shortly followed theDeclaration of Independence of Argentina in 1816. They were opposed to the ArgentineFederalists, who wanted afederation of autonomous provinces.

Unitarian Party Partido Unitario
Historical leaders	Bernardino Rivadavia Juan Lavalle José María Paz Gregorio Aráoz de Lamadrid
Founded	1816
Dissolved	1862
Succeeded by	Autonomist Party,Nationalist Party [es]
Headquarters	Buenos Aires,Argentina
Ideology	Liberalism[1][2] Free trade[1] Progressivism[3] Pro-unitary state[1]
Colors	Blue
Party flag
Politics of Argentina Political parties Elections

In theArgentine War of Independence, the forces of theUnited Provinces of the Río de la Plata foughtSpanish royalists who attempted to regain control of theirAmerican colonies after theNapoleonic Wars.

After the victoriousMay Revolution of 1810, disagreements arose between the dominant province ofBuenos Aires, who were known as Unitarianists, and the otherprovinces of Argentina, known as the Federalists.^{[citation needed]} These were evident at least as early as the declaration ofArgentine independence in 1816.

The Unitarianists lost their controlling power after theBattle of Cepeda (1820), which was followed by several months of chaos. However, the Unitarianists were forced to sign a treaty with other provinces. This did not solve the conflicts between the Federalists and the Unitarians.

The beliefs ofBernardino Rivadavia were strongly influenced by English PhilosopherJeremy Bentham. Bentham's ideas ranged from constitutional law to prison reform which grew from a desire to perfect policy. As laws were being drafted for the new nation, Rivadavia sought to assure Bentham they were “Entirely based on the unimpeachable and indisputable truths contained in your work.” He would soon advocate for a central government for the entire nation, adopting this principle ofunitary government and later, along with his allies became known as the Unitarians.^[4]

UnderPresidentBernardino Rivadavia (1826–1827), the Unitarianists gained control for a short period of time. The Constitution of 1826 allowed for a balance between the ideas of the Unitarianists and the Federalists: “It provided for a centralized national authority while leaving the provinces with considerable local powers.”^[5] However, the constitution was rejected by provincial caudillos, military leaders, and the conflict continued.

Forced to resign, the Government of Buenos Aires and the Foreign relations of the country were taken over by FederalistManuel Dorrego. However, a contingent of military led byJuan Lavalle, opposed to the peace negotiations with theBrazilian Empire after the end of theCisplatine War took over the Buenos Aires Government and shot Dorrego atNavarro.

In 1829,Juan Manuel de Rosas, the leader of a troop of Federalists, became the Governor of Buenos Aires after defeating GeneralJuan Lavalle, who was then forced into exile. Although Rosas was a Federalist, his following of the principles of Federalism has often been questioned^{[by whom?]}.

In 1830, theUnitarian League was created by GeneralJosé María Paz in order to defeat the Federalists. The Federalists faced Paz and his troops on May 31, 1831 and the Unitarianists were defeated after the Gauchos captured the Unitarianist commander. The Provinces of the Unitarian League gradually joined into theFederal Pact and theArgentine Confederation.

Although the Unitarians were exiled to neighboring countries, theCivil War would continue for another two decades, the Unitarians being led by Lavalle, Paz, Lamadrid, and many others.

With support fromCorrientes Province and theBrazilian Empire,Justo José de Urquiza, Federalistcaudillo ofEntre Ríos Province, finally defeated Rosas at theBattle of Caseros on February 3, 1852. In May, theSan Nicolás Agreement was signed by the provincial governors. The pact reinstated the 1831 Federal Pact's original provisions for a constitutional convention.

In 1853, the Autonomists of Buenos Aires (many of them former Unitarians) broke away from theArgentine Confederation after Urquiza nationalized the customs receipts from Buenos Aires and allowed the free flow of trade on the Parana and Uruguay rivers. In 1859 Buenos Aires was forced to accept thefederal constitution of 1853 after six years of secession, afterMitre was defeated at the1859 Battle of Cepeda by Urquiza. However, the federal constitution was "amended to allow Buenos Aires greater influence" after the ensuing 1861Battle of Pavón. Mitre was then chosen asPresident of a new national government.

Opposition to the Unitarianists continued until 1890 under the Córdoba League.

The Unitarians defended aliberal ideology, which was influenced byBritish liberalism of the early 19th century.^[1]

This group was led by intellectuals, merchants and the military from Buenos Aires and by some members of the elites of the provinces of the interior of the country.^[1]

In the political field, the Unitarians defended the establishment of acentral government with broad powers, which could impose its authority over the provinces. In the economic field, they defendedprivate property,free trade and the arrival offoreign investment.^[1]

• History of Argentina
• United Provinces of South America
• Bernardino Rivadavia

• "unitario" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Nov. 3 2008 <Britannica Academic>.
• "Cepeda, battles of" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Nov. 5 2008 <Britannica Academic>.
• Crow, John A. (1992)he Epic of Latin America. University of California Press.ISBN 978-0-520-07723-2.