Early Argentine history in ten minutes or less

Amerigo Vespucci, being an enterprising gentleman, was in 1502 the first European to visit the region of South America. Prior to the arrival of the European, the country was sparsely inhabited by various native Indian tribes (with lovely names such as the Diaquita) and groups of rabidly carnivorous nomads. The Spaniards being at the time mad for exploration and colonization, sent Juan Diaz de Solis round and about 1516. He, with the help of his minions, established the colony of Buenos Aires. It remained a backwater for a century or two. Much of the region remained poor, with the exception of estancieros (ranchers) and gauchos (cowboys), who capitalized on the, um, cash cow that was beef.

So in 1776, while we here in America were otherwise occupied, the Spanish integrated Argentina into the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. Buenos Aires became the capitol of said viceroyalty, and flourished. The rabble, as is their wont, became discontent, and this soon spread to all levels of Argentine society. They had, they felt, outgrown their need for Spain. Things festered and simmered until the need for change became overwhelming, and in 1810 they decided to hold a revolution. General Jose San de Martin led what the Argentines still revere as a brilliant campaign, and independance was secured in 1816.

The problem was, you see, that no one had much considered what to do once Spain buggered out. The reality was that there were many factions, and that each faction would have been highly gratified to rule the country with an iron fist. It eventually boiled down to two main rivaling parties. The estancieros, gauchos, and rural working classes were in favor of the Federalists, who rather liked the idea of provincial autonomy. They were opposed by the Unitarists, a party comprised of mostly urban peoples who favored European immigrants and European ideas, and they were inclined to belive that authority should be centralized in Buenos Aires. After a diastrous try at the Federalists' plan, the Unitarists took over, and eventually (1853) adapted a constitution.

Under this government, the usual mixed bag of results took place. There was quite a bit of growth and prosperity, as the province of Pampas in particular was developed and cereal crops were propogated. Sheep were introduced to the country, and trade with and investments from Europe enriched the economy. Buenos Aires itself became a microsm of Europe as immigration increased, and the exploration and settling of Patagonia by General Roca fascinated the world. By the end of the century, Argentina was one of the world ten wealthiest nations. However, power had been placed in the hands of too few, and the economy was largely at the mercy of world economic downturns and whims and such. This did not bode well...