Federal League (1815–1820)

The Federal League, also known as the Pact of Free Peoples, was a short-lived confederation of provinces in what is now Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Brazil and Paraguay, established in 1815 and effectively dissolved by 1820. It was formed under the leadership of José Gervasio Artigas, who aimed to create a decentralized, federal republic in the Río de la Plata region, in opposition to the centralist tendencies of Buenos Aires.

The League comprised the provinces of Banda Oriental (Uruguay), Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Misiones, and Córdoba. Artigas advocated for provincial autonomy, land reform, and free trade, principles articulated in documents like the Instructions of the Year XIII. His vision contrasted sharply with the Buenos Aires elite, who favored a more centralized government based in the capital.

The Federal League's existence was marked by continuous warfare and political instability. It fought against both the central government in Buenos Aires and Portuguese forces expanding from Brazil, who eventually occupied the Banda Oriental (Uruguay) in 1816. Internally, the League faced challenges from rival caudillos and factions vying for power.

By 1820, the Federal League had fragmented under pressure from external forces and internal divisions. Artigas was defeated and exiled to Paraguay, marking the effective end of the League. However, the ideals of federalism and provincial autonomy championed by Artigas and the Federal League continued to influence political discourse and shape the future development of Argentina and Uruguay. The legacy of the League can be seen in subsequent federalist movements and constitutional debates in the region.