Peruvian Indpendence

In 1808, Spain was invaded by Napoleonic France and the Spanish colonies struggled for independence. All of them, no. Out of all the Spanish colonies, Peru was the one to remain loyal to Spain due to the Peruvian aristocracy's conservative attitude. The aristocracy as well as the presence of many Spaniards as well as the Spanish military power in Lima which also affected the uprising by Peru's indigenous meant that Peruvian Independence was achieved primarily by those outside of Peru's borders. In comes, General José de San Martín of Argentina was a determined to surround the Spaniards by liberating Chile and using it was a base for a seaborne base attack on Peru. Much to San Martin's luck, Peru was liberated in 1818 and this meant that he was able to occupy Peru's port of Pisco in September 1820. The Viceroy of Peru, Joachín de la Pezula named José de la Serna as commander-in-chief of the army to protect Lima against San Martín's forces by marching to Chancay. When San Martín was ordered to switch places with Viceroy de la Pezula, de la Serna refused. On 28 July 1821, independence was declared but the battle was not over as San Martín called upon assistance from Simón Bolívar (Bolivia's namesake) who had liberated northern South America and at first refused before taking over from San Martín. Spanish power was broken at the battles of Junín and Ayacucho in 1824 and Peru officially became independent. In modern times, 28 July is Peruvian Independence Day though it is called Fiestas Patrias and is celebrated on 28 July and 29 July.