British Invasions of the Río de la Plata

The British Invasions of the Río de la Plata (1806-1807) were a series of military attempts by Britain to seize control of Spanish-held territories in present-day Argentina and Uruguay. Britain aimed to expand its empire and weaken Spain, an ally of France. The first invasion from Montevideo was repelled by local forces, but a second attempt succeeded in capturing Buenos Aires briefly in 1806. However, Spanish patriots and local militias resisted fiercely, leading to British withdrawal in 1807. These invasions highlighted regional resistance and helped galvanize local efforts toward independence from Spain.