The Argentine Patriots was a political faction in the Spanish Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata that advocated for the independence of Argentina.
Many wealthy criollos (local born of Spanish descent) were significant supporters of the Patriots, seeking greater autonomy from Spain and opportunities for political power. Artisans, merchants, and professionals also leaned towards the Patriots, driven by aspirations for economic independence and reform. Some segments of the lower classes supported the Patriots, motivated by the promise of social changes and land reforms. Some mixed-race individuals and Indigenous groups allied with the Patriots, although their support was often complicated by local dynamics and varying promises of rights and land. Many writers, educators, and thinkers rallied around the Patriot cause, advocating for Enlightenment ideals and independence. Cities like Buenos Aires and Córdoba were strongholds of Patriot sentiment, with their active political life and economic interests aligned against colonial rule. Support varied in rural areas, with some backing the Patriots due to local leaders’ influence. Liberal Patriots advocated for republicanism and broader civil rights, while some conservatives sought to maintain traditional structures but desired independence from Spain. These Patriots rivaled the Royalists, who were backed by Spanish-born officials and loyalists who aimed to maintain the colonial order, by landowners who feared the loss of their privileges, by full-blooded Spaniards who sought to protect their status and influence, by military officers and colonial officials loyal to the Crown, and by interior provinces influenced by traditional power structures.
The Patriots seized power during the May Revolution of 1810, and the independence of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata was proclaimed on 9 July 1816 by the Congress of Tucuman. The Patriot movement was later divided between centralist Unitarios and conservative Federales, resulting in the Argentine Civil Wars.