The Caudillo of the Andes
Andrés de Santa Cruz

The story of Andrés de Santa Cruz, who lived during the turbulent transition from Spanish colonial rule to the founding of Peru and Bolivia.

Natalia Sobrevilla Perea (Author)

9780521895675, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 January 2011

256 pages, 5 b/w illus. 4 maps
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.1 cm, 0.47 kg

'Natalia Sobrevilla Perea has written an accessible and smart biography of Andrés de Santa Cruz, the fascinating Bolivia caudillo who was a worldly liberal, fervent nationalist, Francophile, defender of indigenous people, and innovative but ultimately failed statemaker. The Caudillo of the Andes addresses Latin America's never-ending riddle of strongman rule and is particularly timely as tensions among Bolivia, Peru, and Chile continue. This is an important book that will be much used in the classroom.' Charles Walker, University of California, Davis

Born in La Paz in 1792, Andrés de Santa Cruz lived through the turbulent times that led to independence across Latin America. He fought to shape the newly established republics, and between 1836 and 1839 he created the Peru-Bolivia Confederation. The epitome of an Andean caudillo, with armed forces at the center of his ideas of governance, he was a state builder whose ambition ensured a strong and well-administered country. But the ultimate failure of the Confederation had long-reaching consequences that still have an impact today. The story of his life introduces students to broader questions of nationality and identity during this turbulent transition from Spanish colonial rule to the founding of Peru and Bolivia.

Introduction
1. Early years at the twilight of the colonial period
2. Great Marshall of Zepita: hero of independence
3. The creation of Bolivia
4. The genesis of the Peru-Bolivia Confederation
5. The rise and fall of the Peru-Bolivia Confederation
6. Defeat and exile
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], History of the Americas [HBJK]