The Peruvian War of Independence
As the result of the Peninsular war, an uprising of Spanish-American landowners and their forces was led by Jose de San Martin of Argentina and Simon Bolivar of Venezuela. They launched Peru’s movement toward independence. San Martin led the military campaign of 4,200 soldiers. On July 28, 1821, he proclaimed the independence of Peru in Lima and said, “From this moment on, Peru is free and independent; by the general will of the people and the justice of its cause that God defends. Long live the homeland! Long live freedom! Long live our independence!” To this day, San Martin is recognized as “the protector of Peru.” However, Spain did not identify Peru’s independence and the conflict continued. In 1824, Simon Bolivar and his assistants assembled the army at the Lake of Junín in the mountains. The Battle of Junín was quite impressive because about 500 soldiers were killed and taken as prisoners. This war had a huge impact on Spain and the royalists. During the Battle of Junín, about 3000 soldiers were defeated, abandoned, or became sick to fight. The truly victorious Peruvians ended the Spanish rule and show their patriotism in the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824 (This war was considered to be an absolute battle).