It was 1806, and Europe was in the middle of The Napoleonic Wars. Spain was allied to France and Britain was against them. The British navy was defeated in Europe, but Spain had many colonies in South America, such as Buenos Aires and Montevideo (by then part of the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata), barely defended. So, William Popham sailed to Buenos Aires and conquered the city. Viceroy Rafael de Sobremonte escaped with the treasury to Cordoba, but was captured on the way. Santiago de Liniers noticed that the British were too few, so he left to Montevideo, gathered soldiers, and launched a counter-attack to drive the British away before they got reinforcements. John Whitelocke launched a second invasion with an army tenfold bigger, and started by Montevideo this time. Liniers prepared the defense of Buenos Aires, and this time everybody available was called to arms (even the slaves and the indians). After a fierce battle, the British were defeated again. There was no third invasion because by then in Europe Napoleon invaded Spain, and the Spanish resistance switched sides to the British.
The British Invasions of the Río de la Plata in media
Art
- La Reconquista de Buenos Aires, by Charles Fouqueray
- An 1808 cartoon
◊ depicting the cashiering of John Whitelocke, who was declared "totally unfit to serve His Majesty in any military capacity whatsoever." The cartoon twists the knife by implying that Whitelocke would shoot himself if he had any honor or courage left.
Comic Books
Literature
- El último virrey, by Horacio Salduna
