ARGENTINE POLITICAL VIOLENCE DURING STATE FORMATION (1862-1880) AN INTERPRETATIVE ESSAY

Laura Cucchi

doi:10.1590/2236-463320192306

Abstract

Abstract Traditionally, Argentine historiography has considered the many uprisings that took place in Argentina during the second half of the nineteenth century to be disruptive actions that hampered the institutionalization of the political system outlined in the Constitution. Historians understood these forms of political mobilization as a part of minor power struggles between elites who, through their behavior, perpetuated political instability and delayed state consolidation. Recent empirical, local studies offer a different view of political violence in Argentina during state formation. This article reviews those studies and proposes a new global interpretation of the concept and practice of violence for the period between national unification (1862) and the consolidation of the state (1880).

Highlights

Argentine historiography has considered the many uprisings that took place in Argentina during the second half of the nineteenth century to be disruptive actions that hampered the institutionalization of the political system outlined in the Constitution
Argentine historiography has considered uprisings to be disruptive actions that hampered the institutionalization of the political system outlined in the Constitution
This violence has usually been understood as the result of caudillo politics and a lack of political order following independence, as well as a reflection of regional disputes and power struggles between elites who perpetuated political instability and delayed state consolidation

Summary

VIOLENCIA POLÍTICA DURANTE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DEL ESTADO EN

Tradicionalmente, la historiografía argentina ha considerado los muchos levantamientos que tuvieron lugar en Argentina durante la segunda mitad del siglo XIX como acciones disruptivas que obstaculizaron la institucionalización del sistema político descrito en la Constitución. Los historiadores entendieron estas formas de movilización política como parte de luchas de poder menores entre las élites que, a través de su comportamiento, perpetuaron la inestabilidad política y retrasaron la consolidación del estado. Estudios empíricos locales recientes ofrecen una visión diferente de la violencia política en Argentina durante la formación del estado. Este artículo revisa esos estudios y propone una nueva interpretación global del concepto y la práctica de la violencia para el período comprendido entre la unificación nacional (1862) y la consolidación del estado (1880)

Palabras clave

Rebellions and Party Politics during State Formation

Final Remarks