coleman1

=The Great War=

Guerra Grande or the Great War was fought from 1843-1852 over control of Montevideo, Uruguay. Montevideo was a trade center that many people wanted control of. During the war, the Colorados in Montevideo fought against Rosas of Argentina. Soon after it began, the Great War became international because of the intervention of Britain and France (workmall).



Both British and French naval forces protected Montevideo at sea and helped to defend the city. The main reason for the participation of the British and French in the war was trade. Both European countries wanted access Río Paraná and the Río Uruguay which were large trade markets. By 1849, both countries had withdrawn from the war. At this point, it looked as if Montevideo would fall to Rosas. To avoid this, Justo José de Urquiza led an uprising leaving the Colorados in full control of Uruguay. Rosas eventual downfall in Argentina in 1852 marked the end of the Great War (workmall).