Peru Army - Colonial Period
While the resistance of Vilcabamba was defeated in 1572 with the arrest and execution of Thupa Inca Amaro, fighting continued and since then became permanent. In the three hundred years of the viceroyalty, Peruvians expressed discontent in various ways. History records nearly two hundred revolts and organization of several armies to oppose Spanish rule.
Between 1742 and 1756, Juan Santos Atahualpa organized in the mountains of Tarma and Jauja an army that came to have a permanent corps of 500 men, a auxiliary force of thousands of fighters and a combat unit with rural women. All struggled to establish a State Inca again. This movement also had the support of almost all the nations and nationalities of the central jungle victorious and remained until 1756. Unable to defeat him, the viceroy ordered the construction of forts and Oxapampa Chanchamayo. The movement was dissolved after the mysterious death of their leader.
In 1780, José Gabriel Condorcanqui, known as Thupac Amaru II, organized an army to continue the process of independence. This rebellion reached a continental projection and marked the beginning of the end of the Spanish presence in South America.
For this reason, Thupac Amaru II is considered the first precursor of American independence. He managed to assemble an army of over seven thousand men armed with slings, stones and gauges, plus some cannons, muskets and carbines. Their units were disciplined and military hierarchy. Those soldiers continued the tradition of legendary value Peruvians and wrote on the history of American independence superb pages of heroism.
The defeat of the movement thupamarista did not prevent the continued freedom struggle. In 1805, José Manuel Ubalde Gabriel Aguilar and try to make an uprising in Cusco, organized military forces, but are discovered, arrested and executed. In 1809, Matthew Silva and other patriots trying to depose the Viceroy Fernando de Abascal. In 1810, Ramon Guillermo del Rio Anchoris and are arrested for organizing a subversive movement. In 1811, under the direction of Francisco Antonio de Zela, erupts in the Tacna first rebellion proclaimed the independence of Peru. In 1812 revolted in Huánuco Juan José Crespo y Castillo.
In 1814, the brothers Matthew and Brigadier Angle Pumacahua resumed banners of freedom and Cuzco organized an army of 1,500 men between Creoles, mestizos and Indians, with disciplined troops, armed with rifles and some artillery. This army was formally established, owned flag and national symbols to differentiate the Spanish army, and gave her a distinctly nationalist movement. He chose the Virgin of Mercy as patron, and the colors of their habit, white and blue, gave life to his new flag. The Inca mascapaicha was adopted as a national symbol. This motion was defeated in Umachiri on March 12, 1815.
But the war for independence continued. The death of these predecessors was not in vain and his sacrifice heightened the desire for freedom. Many Peruvians maintained a voluminous correspondence with General Jose de San Martin and the decision of patriots encouraged to prepare an Argentine general Liberating Expedition of Peru, similar to that which had been organized to wean Chile. This expedition landed in Paracas, on September 8, 1820. It came in addition to Argentina and Chile, many Peruvians among which were Toribio de Luzuriaga, who was the first Peruvian to reach the level of quarterback and Francisco Vidal, "the first soldier of Peru", among others.
After landing there were numerous volunteers patriot camp asking her high in the Liberation Army, and several towns in the heat of freedom, proclaimed their commitment to the cause of independence. He did Ica the October 21, 1820, in early November, Huamanga, the 29th of that month, Tarma, Dec. 25, Huanuco, Lambayeque, the 28th November, the day after Trujillo, Piura, 4 January 1821 7, Tumbes, and 8, Cajamarca.
Such enthusiasm encouraged the General San Martin to organize the first Peruvian units. As a first step decreed on 21 October 1820, the creation of the flag of Peru to Peruvian forces had a banner under which to fight. And immediately formed Ica Auxiliary Squadron in November the Army infantry battalion, and in January 1821 the battalion Loyal Peru and Escort Squadron of the Hussars.
Following the proclamation of the independence of Peru, 28 July 1821, created the Peruvian Legion of the Guard (August 18) and Army officially created in Peru. Then he organized other units like battalions Trujillo No. 2, Piura No. 4 and the squadron of Hunters of Peru, which had an outstanding participation in the battles of Riobamba and Pichincha which sealed the independence of Gran Colombia and the territory in 1830, gave birth to the Republic of Ecuador. On August 25, 1823, during the Second Expedition intermediate ports, the Army reached in Zepita another glorious victory.
Then, General Simon Bolivar United Army decided to organize the Liberator, to undertake the final campaign of American independence, the army was the main protagonist. On August 6, 1824, the historic participation of Peru Hussars, under Colonel Isidoro Suárez, and the bold decision Rázuri Sergeant Andrew decided patriot victory on the plains of Junín. Since then the unit took the name of Hussars of Junín.
In Ayacucho, Junín and in the performance of the Peruvian forces, that December 9 was decisive. The overall burden of Cordova, which consummated the viceroy La Serna disaster would not have been possible if the Army of Peru had not resisted the thrust of General Valdez. As a result of this victory, the Spanish signed the capitulation of Ayacucho, ending three centuries of struggle against colonial domination and American independence was consolidated.
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