2018-01-01 Mon

Banknotes can be more than just money. Have you looked at your banknote as a treasure house of events and personalities of the bygone eras? We will help you gain that vision and give you an insight into a few historical events that were commemorated and immortalised on banknotes.

We are back with yet another history lesson! Today let’s learn about Juan Manuel de Rosas, a national hero, a military dictator and a controversial figure of Argentina in the 21st century.

Argentina 20 Pesos banknote issued by the Central Bank of Argentina in 2003 features Juan Manuel de Rosas’ portrait along with an image of his daughter, Manuela Robustiana de Rosas y Ezcurra in the background.

While the obverse portrays the man, the reverse narrates his biography and life’s summary in microprint! It also features the Anglo-French forces blockade of the River Plate (Rio de la Plata) that sail up the Parana River, preventing a trade convoy.

Juan Manuel de Rosas was born in Buenos Aires on March 30, 1793, and started his long military career at the young age of 15 when he volunteered in the Buenos Aires forces to combat the second English invasion of his homeland. In December 1829, Rosas became the governor of the province of Buenos Aires and established a dictatorship and efficiently governed the state as a well-disciplined army. He fought off many threats during his reign and led the state through the war against the Peru–Bolivian Confederation, a blockade by France and also faced many internal revolts.

Expanding his rule to the entire of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, the British and the French jointly retaliated against him. The note depicts on its reverse this five-year-long Anglo-French naval blockade on the Argentine Confederation. Emerging victorious against these two nations, both Britain and France signed treaties in 1849 (Britain) and 1850 (France) acknowledging the Argentine sovereignty over its rivers.

Isn’t it fascinating, a single piece of paper that represents a powerful past! Stay tuned for more of such historical and cultural insights! Till then...keep visiting!

To read the earlier articles click here.