Mussallem2

Mussallem2 Guerra Grande The Guerra Grande, or “Great War” was fought between the two differing political parties present in Uruguay. (**Uruguayan Civil War-2)** The two largest parties were the liberal Colorados or “Reds”, and the conservative Blancos or “Whites.” (**History of Uruguay-1)** The Reds stood for all the businesses and their interests, while the Whites had the agricultural interests in mind. (**Uruguayan Civil War-1)** This civil war started because both parties wanted control over Uruguay and both had backing form other countries. (**Travel in Montevideo)** The Blancos had support from near by Argentina because their president was a close friend with the Argentinean leader. (**Uruguayan Civil War-1)** However, the Reds had backing from France, the United Kingdom, the Italian legions, and Uruguay’s other neighbor Brazil. (**Uruguayan Civil War- 2)** Both sides took their chance to attack the other without much success. That was until the Whites managed to take all of Uruguay except for the city of Montevideo. (**Travel in Montevideo)** The Whites knew they wouldn’t be able to fight their way in so they laid siege to the city for the next nine years. (**The Great War)** The reason the European powers got into the war in the first place was to keep trade routs clear without any trouble from Buenos Aires. (**The Great War)** However, after several years of fighting, the European powers got tired of the war and both signed a treaty with the leaders of the Whites. (**Uruguayan Cilril War-2)** At this point it looked like the Reds were done for, but with the leadership of Jose Gervasio Artigas and some aid from Brazil, the Reds battled back against the Whites forcing them out of Uruguay. (**The Great War)** This was able to finally end the conflict in Uruguay. (**Travel in Montevideo)** Although it appeared as if the Reds would never actually loose, one of the leaders for the Reds turned his back and made a deal with the Whites. (**Uruguayan Civil War-1)** The Whites took the opportunity and over ran Montevideo finally ending the Guerra Grande. (**The Great War)**