Colonization

When the Spaniards arrive to this region, the inhabitants were indians of several tribes, being the "Charrúas" the biggest tribe and the one whio offered most resistance to the Euroopeans. The first Spaniard on this side of the Río de la Plata was Juan Díaz de Solis, who was killed on the beach.

In 1527 Sebastián Gaboto built the first camp, which was called San Lázaro. In 1574 Juan Ortíz de Zárate founded the first village called San Salvador almost where actually Dolores is located. In 1624 the Jesuits founded a mission at the borders of the Río Negro, actually Villa Soriano.

In 1602 Hernando Arias de Saavedra (also known locally as Hernandarias) was named Governor of Buenos Aires. During his period as Governor he made different exploration travels along the rivers, including Uruguay and Brazil. He noticed that the ground in Uruguay was excelent for agriculture purposes and decided to bring some cattle. This fact established the cattle richness in the region and caused finally the colonization of the country. For this reason Hernandarias is considered the father of cattle raising in Uruguay.

In 1660 The Portuguese started their domination of Uruguay for about 100 years. They founded Colonia del Sacramento just in fron of Buenos Aires. In 1723 the Portuguese also founded Montevideo and in 1724 the Spaniards took over the region.

Montevideo was officially founded by the Spaniards on December 24th of 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala. The new city was called at that time San Felipe y Santiago, although it was known as Montevideu.

Spain was only in possetion of the southern part of the region. Between the years of 1763 and 1828, the Fortaleza de Santa Teresa and the Fuerte San Miguel changed permanently their owners.

The Independence Process

Spain rules Montevideo and southern part of Uruguay for 32 years from 1775 until 1807. In 1807 the British Invations where successfull and the British ruled Montevideo for four yeras until 1811 when Uruguayan Freedom Forces forced the British out.

In 1811 José Gervasio Artigas, today considered national hero, started successfully the revolution against Spain. He directed his forces towards Montevideo and on May 18th he defeated the Spanish army at the Batalla de Las Piedras, following then his way to Montevideo besiegin the city. In 1813 Artigas called for a kind of Congress and established what was later the base of the Uruguayan Constitution.

In 1821 the Portuguese forces occupied again Uruguay. Five years later, in 1825 and with the support of the Argentinian Government the so called Treinta y Tres Orientales under the command of Juan Antonio Lavalleja invaded Uruguay to force the Brazilian forces out of the country.On August 25th of 182, at the Congress of La Florida, freedom was declared.

The first Constitution was adopted on July 18th of 1830. At that time the country received the name of República Oriental del Uruguay. The first president was Fructuoso Rivera who was more liked by the Brazilian, leaving Lavalleja a side.Manuel Oribe was his successor and had several disputes and battles with his predecessor. Finally he was replaced by Rivera with the support of the Brazilians.

The Modernization XIX

The first period of modernization started in 1876 after the Revolución de las Lanzas leadered by Timoteo Aparicio. On March 10th of 1876 during a meeting of merchants, landowners and foreigners who under the lack of leadership in the country offered same to the at that time Minster of War Lorenzo Latorre the position as provisional governor. He accepted and was so the first dictator in Uruguay.

The main objectives of his government was the country's peace and order and the establishment of the private property. Latorre based his success in the technical progress to consiolidate the political peace in the country. He also produced a modernization of the justice changing the majors for judges. Simultaneously he created the Civil and Penal Right as well as the Rural Code, creating the Impound Registry. In 1879 he approved the Birth Registry Law as to pass all it's duties from the Church to the state. The purpose of the Birth Registry was to register all birth, desease, marriages and legitimations.

In 1879 in economic matters and to improve the conditions of the countryside, he assured the right of the private property, what caused the fencing of same. He also established the Office for Marks and Signs for the cattle registration.

One of the most important improvements during his government was the educational forwarded by José Pedro Varela who was very advanced in the educational programs. His main thought was: "The school is the basement of the Republic; the education the unavoidable condition of the citizens. All great needs of the democracy, all the demands of the Republic is only possible through education, education, and always education.."

At the end of XIX the country completed the process of its organization and during the goverment of Batlle consolidated the democracy and the wealth levels almost equivalent to the Europeans. Due to this, Uruguay started to be known as the Switzerland of America.

The Modernization XX

The most effort of the goverment of José Battlle y Ordóñez was directed to political matters, which included the uprisings of 1903 and 1904 leaded by Aparicio Saravia and the Partido Nacional. In that way he could consolidate diffinitively the authority ofcentral power in the whole country. Not much time was left to economic and social improvements.

Economically: he destinated 3 million Pesos to the construction and improvment of the roads along the country. National industry was improved and the dependance of imports were regulated. The improvement of the electric network was also important and the desire of independence of British financing was starting to be rejected

Educationally: In 1903 the University of Commerce was founded; in 1907 the Veterinarian and Aghronomic University was founde; more schools and high schools were biuld along the country.

On August 25th of 1909 the inauguratrion of the Port of Montevideo was effected during the government of Williman, being same under state administration. From that moment the country had a way to compete with the port of Buenos Aires.

During the second goverment of José Battlle y Ordóñez, many improvements to labour rights were approved. The work was forbidden for all children under 13, the working time for under 19 was limited; women had the right to a 40 day license during pregnancy; the mandatory day off in the week and a maximum of 48 hours a week was established. He also created a law of compensation for accidents during work; a social security pension for all persons over 65 of for all invalid persons. A firing compensation was also established, depending on the length of the realtionship between enterprise and worker. 

In economical matters it was the idea of essential public services being under state control improved as to make it accessible to all social levels and understanding that the winnings would not leave the country under these circumstances.That was the reason of nationalizing of the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay and Banco de Seguros (del Estado) in 1911, of the Banco Hipotecario del Uruguay in 1912. In 1915 the Administración de Ferrocarriles del Estado were created.Durinmg his government also enterprises were founded to compete with theprivate ones, offering lower priced services.

During his government the first divorce law in America was settled recognizing the right of the women to decide.

During the dictatorship of Gabriel Terra, industralization becamevery important substituting the imported goods. During that goverment, the dam of Rincón del Bonete was buil and inaugurated in 1937. In 1935 he broke the relations with the Sowiet Union and in 1936 he recognized the government of Francisco Franco.

Present time

Towards 1955 an economical crisis affected also the public institutions. During the 60's a social and economical deteriorating process improved together with the urban war provoked by left hand terrorists. The most known were the Tupamaros and on the right the Escuadrón de la Muerte and the Juventud UIruguaya de Pie (JUP). The armed forces started to improve their influence and due to the lack of support to the prsident they decided to take over on June 27th of 1973.

The armed forces finally defeated the terrorist groups, arresting the Tupamaro leaders Raúl Sendic, Eleuterio Fernández Huidobro, Mauricio Rosencof, José Mujica, Adolfo Wasem, Julio Marenales, Henry Engler, Jorge Manera and Jorge Zabalza. They created a council replacing the congress and assured the public services to the population. During their dictatorship about 100 person died in their prisons and about 200 are still dissappeared.

In 1980 they called for a plebiscite without allowingopinion against the new constitution wanted. Nevertheless the constitution was rejected on November 30t, 1980. On September 1st, 1981 General Gregorio Alvarez was designed president who called for elections in 1984. On March 1st, 1985 a new democratic government took over under Julio María Sanguinetti from the Partido Colorado. 5 years later Luis Alberto Lacalle from the Partido Nacional took over. In 1994 Sanguinetti was elected again, replacing Lacalle in 1995.

On March 1st 2000 Jorge Battlle replaced Sanguinetti as constitutional president. During his government, which was quite unfortunate, an foot and mouth desease originated in Argentina started with economical problems for the country. The economical crisis in Argentina in 2001 caused the Bankrupcy of 3 Uruguayan banks and the local financial crisis in 2002.

During the elections held on October 31st, 2004, a socialist from the left coalition was elected president. Dr Tabaré Vázquez won the elctions with 50,1% of the votes. It was the first time in Uruguayan history, that neither the Partido Colorado nor the Partido Nacional was in the government.