Latin American Revolutions- José de San Martín

José de San Martín (1778-1850)- At an early age he left his mother country to go study in Spain. Around 1808 San Martin joined the Spanish forces against the French. He participated in many battles. While doing this he started to become in contact with South American supporters of independence. From England he sailed to Buenos Aires and offered his services to modern day Argentina. He creates the Lautaro lodge, whose objective was to liberate South America of the Spanish. In 1813, Mounted Grenadiers fought and won their first combat against Spain. San Martin then took control of the North Army from Belgrano in 1814. Later on, San Martin figured out the only way to attack the center of the Spanish power (Lima city, in Peru) was to cross the Andes from Mendoza to Chile. Before doing this he insisted on having a declaration of Independence for the Argentine Republic. By a delay of disease, San Martin and his men set off on the Andes 1817. He fought the Spanish forces in many battles and then liberated Chile in 1818. Finally in 1821 San Martin reached the city of Lima and declared independence, and was appointed protector of Peru. Simon Bolívar took over the task of fully liberating Peru. San Matin eventually resided from his office. After his wife dying, and displeased by civil wars, him and his daughter went to France, and lived there until his death.