Justo José de Urquiza

Infobox_President | name=Justo José de Urquiza


nationality=Argentinian
order=3nd President of Argentina
term_start=March 5 1854
term_end=March 4 1860
predecessor=Justo José de Urquiza(Provicional Director of the Confederacion)
successor=Santiago Derqui
birth_date=October 18 1801
birth_place=Talar de Arroyo Largo, Entre Ríos
death_date=April 11 1870
death_place=San José Palace, Entre Ríos
spouse=Segunda Calvento
Dolores Costa
Cruz López Jordán
order1=Provicional Director of the Confederacion
term1=September 11, 1852 – March 4 1854
predecessor1=Justo José de Urquiza(Governor of Entre Rios)
successor1=Justo José de Urquiza(President of the Confederacion)
party=Federalist
vicepresident=Salvador M. del Carril
order6=Governor of Buenos Aires
term_start6= 26 July
term_end6= 3 September 1852
predecessor6= Vicente López
successor6= José Miguel Galán
order5=17º Governor of Entre Ríos
1 Term
term_start5= 1
term_end5= 28 January 1842
predecessor5= Vicente Zapata
successor5= Pedro Pablo Seguí
order4=21º Governor of Entre Ríos
2 Term
term_start4= 7 April 1842
term_end4= 10 September 1852
predecessor4= Francisco Dionisio Álvarez
successor4= --
order3=22º Governor of Entre Ríos
3 Term
term_start3= 1 May 1860
term_end3 = 30 April 1864
predecessor3= --
successor3= José María Domínguez
order2=24º Governor of Entre Ríos
4 Term
term_start2= 1 May 1868
term_end2 = 11 April 1870
predecessor2= José María Domínguez
successor2= Ricardo López Jordán|

Justo José de Urquiza y García (October 18, 1801 – April 11, 1870) was an Argentine general and politician. He was president of the Argentine Confederation from 1854 to 1860.

As the "caudillo" of Entre Ríos, Urquiza helped sustain the power of Juan Manuel de Rosas. In 1851, resentful of the economic and political dominance of Buenos Aires, he revolted against his chief. Supported by Brazil and the Uruguayan liberals, he forced Manuel Oribe to capitulate, ending the long siege of Montevideo in October 1851, and finally defeating Rosas on 3 February 1852 at the Battle of Caseros.

Urquiza immediately began the task of national organization. He became provisional director of the Argentine Confederation in May 1852. In 1853, a constituent assembly adopted a constitution based primarily on the ideas of Juan Bautista Alberdi, and Urquiza was inaugurated president in March 1854.

During his administration, foreign relations were improved, public education was encouraged, colonization was promoted, and plans for railroad construction was initiated. His work of national organization was, however, hindered by the opposition of Buenos Aires, which seceded from the Confederation. Open war broke out in 1859. Urquiza defeated the provincial army led by Bartolomé Mitre in October 1859, and Buenos Aires agreed to re-enter the Confederation.

Constitutional amendments proposed by Buenos Aires were adopted in 1860 but the settlement was short-lived, and further difficulties culminated in civil war. Urquiza met the army of Buenos Aires, again led by Mitre, in September 1861. The battle was indecisive, but Urquiza withdrew from the field, leaving the victory with Mitre. He retired to San José Palace, his residence in Entre Ríos, where he ruled until he was assassinated at age 69 (along with his sons Justo and Waldino) by followers of dissident and political rival Ricardo López Jordán.