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Jose de San Martin

Topics: Argentine generals Argentine governors Argentine military personnel People of the Argentine War of Independence People of the Chilean War of Independence Spanish-Argentines

Jose Francisco de San Martin Matorras, also known as Jose de San Martin , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.

In 1808, after joining the Spanish forces to fight against the French, and participating in several battles such as the Battle of Bailen and Battle of Albuera, San Martin started making contact with South American supporters of independence.

In 1817, he crossed the Andes from Mendoza to Chile, and prevailed over the Spanish forces after the Battle of Chacabuco and Battle of Maipu (1818), liberating Chile together with Chilean Bernardo O'Higgins. San Martin seized partial control of the viceroyalty's capital (Lima) on July 12, 1821 and was appointed Protector of Peru. Post closed-door meeting with fellow libertador Simon Bolivar at Guayaquil, Ecuador on 22 July 1822, Bolivar took over the task of fully liberating Peru and declared its independence. San Martin unexpectedly left Peru and resigned the command of his army, excluding himself from politics and the military, and moving to France in 1824. The details of the 22 July meeting would be a subject of debate by later historians.