Supreme Director of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata Facts for Kids

The Supreme Director of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata was like the top leader or president of a new country called the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata. This title was created in 1814 by a special meeting called the Asamblea del Año XIII (Assembly of Year XIII). The Supreme Director was meant to lead for two years.

The main goal was to fight against the royalists, who were people loyal to the Spanish king. These royalists were getting stronger because the people who wanted independence (the "patriots") were disagreeing among themselves. To make sure the Supreme Director didn't become too powerful, they had to work with a group of nine members called a state council. They also had to answer to a congress that made laws.

After a leader named José Rondeau resigned, the job of Supreme Director was briefly taken by Juan Pedro Aguirre. This happened after a group called the Unitarians lost a battle called the Battle of Cepeda.

The national congress, which was the main government body, closed down on February 16, 1820. This meant the idea of having one strong central government for the country ended. Instead, the country started to reorganize into a new federal system, where different provinces had more power. This change was made official by an agreement called the Treaty of Pilar on February 23, 1820.

Historians like Bartolomé Mitre often call the time after the central government broke up the Anarquía del año 20 (Anarchy of the 1820s). During this period, until 1826, there wasn't one main government in charge of all the provinces of Argentina. Each province largely managed its own affairs.

Who Were the Supreme Directors?

This table shows the people who held the title of Supreme Director and when they were in office.

Took office	Left office
January 31, 1814	January 15, 1815	Gervasio Antonio de Posadas
January 15, 1815	April 15, 1815	Carlos María de Alvear
April 18, 1815	April 20, 1815	Juan José Viamonte
April 20, 1815	April 20, 1815	José Rondeau
April 20, 1815	April 17, 1816	Ignacio Álvarez Thomas
April 17, 1816	July 12, 1816	Antonio González de Balcarce
May 3, 1816	June 9, 1819	Juan Martín de Pueyrredón
June 9, 1819	February 11, 1820	José Rondeau
February 11, 1820	February 16, 1820	Juan Pedro Aguirre

Supreme Director of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata facts for kids

Who Were the Supreme Directors?

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