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Bolivian Republic (Peru-Bolivian Confederation)

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Bolivian Republic
República Boliviana
1836–1839
Motto: Firme por la Unión
Bolivia within the Peru–Bolivian Confederation
CapitalSucre
GovernmentRepublic
President 
• 1836–1839
Andrés de Santa Cruz
History 
• Established
21 June 1836
• Disestablished
25 August 1839
ISO 3166 codeBO
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Bolivia
Bolivia
Today part ofBolivia
Chile
Argentina
Paraguay

The Bolivian Republic was one of the three constituent Republics of the short-lived Peru–Bolivian Confederation of 1836–1839.[1]

The Confederation came to an end three years later after being defeated by Chile in the War of the Confederation. In August 1839, Agustín Gamarra declared the Confederation dissolved.

Background

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Bolivia, Flags of All Nations, Series 1 (N9) for Allen & Ginter (1837) depicting the flag and emblem of the Bolivian Republic

The Peru-Bolivian Confederation was a plan that attempted to reunite Upper Peru (now Bolivia) and Lower Peru (now simply Peru) into a single political and economic entity. Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz promoted an ambitious project to reunite these two territories on the basis of a confederacy. This integration was based not only on historical, cultural and ethnic reasons but also on sound economic motives. The union was trying to restore the ancient commercial routes and promote a policy of open markets.

As President of Bolivia, Santa Cruz instigated several failed plots to achieve a political union with Peru, taking advantage of that country's chronic political unrest. His best opportunity came in 1835 when the Peruvian President General Luis José de Orbegoso requested his assistance to fight the rebel armies of Generals Agustín Gamarra and Felipe Santiago Salaverry. Santa Cruz defeated Gamarra at the Battle of Yanacocha on 13 August 1835 and Salaverry at the Battle of Socabaya on 7 February 1836.

With Bolivian help, General Orbegoso quickly regained his leadership throughout the country and had Salaverry summarily executed. In return for the support he received from Santa Cruz, he acceded to the formation of the new Peru–Bolivian Confederation. Santa Cruz assumed the Supreme Protectorship of the confederation and Orbegoso maintained only the presidency of the newly created Republic of North Peru.

Administrative Divisions

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The Bolivian Republic was divided into 7 departments:

  1. Cochabamba Department
  2. Chuquisaca Department
  3. La Paz Department
  4. Oruro Department
  5. Potosí Department
  6. Santa Cruz Department
  7. Tarija Department

References

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  1. ^ "Ley Fundamental de la Confederación Perú - Boliviana (1837)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2021.