THE FRENCH BLOCKADE OF 1838: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES - HISTORY - 2025

The French blockade of 1838 or simply the French blockade of the Río de la Plata was a belligerent action established by the French government against the Argentine Confederation. This event took place between March 28, 1838 and October 29, 1840.

The blockade consisted of the closure of the port of Buenos Aires by a French squadron, making river trade impossible for the Argentine Confederation. It began when the governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, Juan Manuel Rosas, refused to exclude French prisoners in Argentine territory from the obligation to render military service.

Juan Manuel de Rosas

Rosas was also the main representative of the Argentine Confederation, which is why his gesture was taken by the French government as an offense on the part of the Confederation. This led France to decide to undertake military action against the Province of Buenos Aires.

The French representation for the year 1838 was in charge of Luis Felipe de Orleáns, a leader with a pedantic and expansionist vision. Under the protection of this representation, the French military forces managed to pressure Rosas by blocking the Río de la Plata. Rosas then had to face the discontent of the Argentine and Uruguayan people thanks to the blockade.

Despite the many demonstrations and revolts that took place against the Rosas government, due to the blockade and the problems related to the closure of river trade, it was not overthrown.

Thus, the French government decided to suspend the bloc two years after its inception, signing the Mackau-Arana treaty.

Causes of the French blockade of the Río de la Plata

There were numerous causes that prompted the French government to block the Río de la Plata in 1838. Some of these causes can be seen below:

Political situation between France and the Argentine Confederation

Between the years 1821 and 1823, the Buenos Aires provincial government established that both national and foreign citizens living in the Province of Buenos Aires would be obliged to provide arms.

This included all foreigners who had land in their possession, who exercised some type of trade and had resided in the province for more than two years or had been captured for belonging to a militia.

This obligation, therefore, covered all French and English inhabitants who were living in the Province of Buenos Aires to date.

However, by 1825, all British living in the province were exempted from this obligation. Faced with this situation, the French government requested to have the same benefits, however, this request was rejected by the then governor of the province, General Juan Ramón Balcarce.

After trying to obtain exemption from arms service for French citizens living in Buenos Aires, the French government chose to pursue a belligerent policy.

Thus, under a government with an expansionist and nationalist stance, it was decided to establish an action that would demonstrate the power of France as a power against the Americas.

Confrontation between Rosas and Lavalle

For the year 1828, General Juan Lavalle (independence leader of the Republic of Argentina), was elected as governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, after condemning Juan Ramón Balcarce to exile.

In less than a year of his government, Lavalle was overthrown by Rosas, the most important leader of the Argentine Confederation.

After this unpleasant encounter, the commander of the French naval force, the Viscount of Venancourt, decided to intercede, capturing the province's fleet.

This capture had the support of Lavalle and was openly disapproved of by Rosas. Thanks to all this, Rosas decided with more determination to adhere to the policy that forced French citizens in Buenos Aires territory to provide arms service for Argentina.

Consequences of the blockade of the Río de la Plata

Thanks to friction and tension between the government of Rosas and the French government, by 1838 France decided to block the commercial fluvial access routes through the Río de la Plata.

This initiative was also motivated by the nationalist ideals of France that sought to teach Buenos Aires a lesson. In this sense, France openly indicated that it was going to give an exemplary punishment to the invincible Buenos Aires, so that the Americas would recognize its power as a power.

By 1838, various French officials resided in Argentine territory. These officials had express instructions to do whatever was necessary against the Argentine government, in case the situation warranted it.

This is how the charge d'affaires Aimé Roger, after being snubbed by Rosas, states that France would initiate a fight against the federalist interests of Argentina.

In this way, Rosas exposes that Argentina would never join the ideals of a foreigner, and even less if this foreigner was France.

Discontent from France

On March 24, 1838, after the incident between Rosas and Roger, and taking into account the political situation in France and Buenos Aires, the French admiral Luis Francisco Leblanc moved to Buenos Aires. There, he again demands the following from the government of Buenos Aires:

- Withdraw the obligation to lend arms to French citizens and subjects in the territory of Buenos Aires. Thus ensuring a privileged treatment for the nation.

- Indemnify French citizens who have been affected by the political decisions of the Confederation.

Despite the fact that Rosas was advised by the British government to address these demands, it decided to ignore the recommendations and proceeded to respond sharply to the threat of force.

Impact on Argentine domestic politics

For two years the blockade was maintained, producing cracks in power as a result of the discontent of the people.

Various unions rose up against Rosas and the civil war within the country was rekindled. Various invasions took place and the group of young Unitarians decided to support the foreign invasion in Argentina.

However, Rosas' army remained unchanged, with 17,000 men seeking to strengthen the American nation over the might of France.

Rosas was then seen as a liberal and obviously civilized man, attributes that prevented him from being overthrown from his mandate.

Strengthening of Argentine nationalism

Rosas' position in the face of the situation with foreigners strengthened his presence as governor of the Province of Buenos Aires. On the other hand, the defense of sovereignty, honor and national integrity became a fundamental element for many individuals in the Confederacy.

Similarly, the government of France would go through multiple changes at this time, seeking to turn the blockade around.

For the year 1840, the Mackau-Arana treaty was signed, which indicated that France would be given the rights of the nation most favored by Argentina.

However, France had to renounce to request the civil and political rights that were recognized to a South American citizen, from that moment.

References

1. Historian, E. (2017). The historian. Obtained from The French blockade on the port of Buenos Aires (1838-1840): elhistoriador.com.ar
2. Olivares, R. (February 2016). The French blockade of 1838. Obtained from The French blockade of 1838: block1838.blogspot.com.br/
3. (April 7, 2011). PCR. Retrieved from The French Blockade of 1838: pcr.org.ar
4. (2000). General history of the foreign relations of the Republic of Argentina. Obtained from The development of the French blockade: argentina-rree.com
5. Totora, L. (February 16, 2011). La Totora. Obtained from French Admiral Luis Francisco Leblanc (Anglo-French Blockade): la-totora.991496.n3.nabble.com.