Banknote Argentina 1000 Pesos - José Francisco de San Martin - 2023 - Letter A

Who Was José Francisco de San Martín?

José Francisco de San Martín (1778-1850) was a South American military leader and politician who played a major role in the South American Wars of Independence in the 19th century. He is primarily known for his role in liberating Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish colonial rule.

San Martín was born in Argentina, which was then part of the Spanish Empire. He received a military education in Spain and later joined Spanish armies to fight against the Napoleonic forces during the Spanish War of Independence. However, he quickly realized that the struggle for South American independence was equally, if not more, important.

San Martín became one of the leading independence generals in South America and successfully led military campaigns in several countries. One of his most famous actions was the crossing of the Andes in 1817, which resulted in the liberation of Chile.

He also played a key role in the liberation of Peru, working in cooperation with Simón Bolívar, another South American independence leader. Together, they contributed to the defeat of Spanish forces in the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824, leading to Peru's independence.

After completing his mission in South America, San Martín retired from public life and lived in exile in Europe until his death in 1850. He is widely revered in Argentina, Chile, and Peru for his role in the struggle for independence and is considered one of the national heroes of these countries.