Maitland Plan facts for kids

The Maitland Plan (in Spanish, Plan de Maitland) was a secret idea made by a British soldier named Thomas Maitland in 1800. Its full name was Plan to capture Buenos Aires and Chile, and then emancipate Peru and Quito. At this time, Great Britain was fighting against Spain and France in wars called the Napoleonic Wars. Britain wanted to gain more power in South America because it had recently lost its Thirteen Colonies in North America, which had become independent.

What Was the Maitland Plan?

This plan was a step-by-step guide for Britain to take control of parts of South America. It aimed to weaken Spain's power in the region.

The plan included these main steps:

• First, British forces would capture the city of Buenos Aires.
• Next, they would move to Mendoza, a key area.
• They would then work with a Chilean army that wanted independence.
• Together, they would cross the huge Andes mountains.
• Their goal was to defeat the Spanish army and take control of Chile.
• Finally, they would continue by sea to free Peru.

British Attempts and Failures

The British tried to use the Maitland Plan twice, but they did not succeed.

Invasions of the Río de la Plata

In 1806 and 1807, the British tried to capture Buenos Aires and Montevideo. These events are known as the British invasions of the Río de la Plata. However, the Spanish army and local groups of fighters managed to defeat them. After these defeats, Britain stopped its military actions against Spanish South America. This happened because France turned against Spain, and Britain then became an ally of Spain.

San Martín and the Plan

Many historians from Argentina, like Felipe Pigna and Rodolfo Terragno, believe that the famous general José de San Martín learned about the Maitland Plan.

San Martín's Connection

San Martín was a very important leader in South America's fight for independence from Spain. When he was in London in 1811, he supposedly learned about the plan. He met members of a group called the Logia Lautaro, which was a secret society. This group was started by Francisco de Miranda and a Scottish lord named MacDuff.

How San Martín Used the Plan

It is thought that San Martín was part of this group. He may have used the Maitland Plan as a guide for his own military actions. He successfully carried out the last five steps of the plan. By doing so, he helped to free a large part of the South American continent from Spanish rule.

See also

In Spanish: Plan de Maitland para niños