Urquiza, Justo José de

(1801-1870) was a politician, general and President of the Argentine Confederation from 1854 to 1860. After defeating Rosas in 1852, Urquiza immediately began the task of national organization as provisional director of the Argentine Confederation. In 1853, constituent assemblyadopted a constitution and Urquiza was inaugurated president in 1854. The opposition of Buenos Aires hindered his work of national organization and seceded from the Confederation. Open war broke out in 1859. Urquiza defeated an army led by Bartolomé Mitre in 1859, at the Battle of Cepeda, and Buenos Aires agreed to re-enter the Confederation.