Bernardino Rivadavia
Encyclopedia : B : BE : BER : Bernardino Rivadavia
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| Term of Office: | February 8 1826— July 7 1827 |
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| Predecessor: | none |
| Successor: | Vicente López y Planes |
| Date of Birth: | May 20, 1780 |
| Place of Birth: | Buenos Aires |
| Date of Death: | September 2 1845 |
| Place of Death: | Cádiz, Spain |
| Profession: | none |
| Political Party: | Unitarian |
Bernardino de la Trinidad Gónzalez Rivadavia y Rivadavia (May 20, 1780 – September 2, 1845) was the first president of Argentina, from February 8 1826 to July 7 1827. He was married to Juana del Pino, daughter of a former viceroy of the River Plate, and later married to Wilhelmina Van der Pool.
Rivadavia was born in Buenos Aires in 1780. He was active in both the Argentine resistance to the British invasion of 1806 and in the May Revolution movement for Argentine Independence in 1810. In 1811, Rivadavia became the dominating member of the governing triumvirate as Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of War. Until its fall in October of 1812, this government focused on creating a strong central government, moderating relations with Spain, and organizing an army.
Rivadavia was later sent to Europe to improve Argentine relations with England and Spain. He returned six years later, in May of 1821. In June of that year, he was named minister of government to Buenos Aires governor Martín Rodríguez. Over the next five years, he exerted a strong influence, and focused heavily on improving Buenos Aires city, often at the expense of greater Argentina. To make the former look more European, Rivadavia constructed large avenues, schools, paved and lighted streets. He founded the University of Buenos Aires, as well as the Theater, Geology, and Medicine Academies.
He persuaded the legislature to authorize a one-million pound loan for public works that were never undertaken. The provincial bonds were sold in London through the Baring Brothers Bank, local and Buenos Aires-based British traders also acting as financial intermediaries. The borrowed money was in turn lent to these businessmen, who never reimbursed it. Of the original million pounds the Buenos Aires government received only 552700. The province's foreign debt was transferred to the nation in 1825, its final repayment being made in 1904.
A strong supporter of a powerful, centralized government in Argentina, Rivadavia often faced violent resistance from the opposition federalists. In 1826, Rivadavia was elected the first president of the Argentine Republic. During his term he founded many museums, and expanded the national library.
His government had many problems, primarily regarding the ongoing war with Brazil over territory in modern Uruguay and resistance from provicial authorities. Faced with the rising power of the Federalist Party and with several provinces in open revolt, Rivadavia submitted his resignation on June 29, 1827. He was succeeded by Vicente López y Planes. At first he returned to private life, but fled to exile in Europe in 1829.
Rivadavia returned to Argentina in 1834 to confront his political enemies, but was immediately sentenced again to exile. He went first to Brazil and then to Spain, where he died September 2, 1845. He asked that his body would never be brought back to Buenos Aires.
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