The Patriotic Society and the legacy of San Martín in the struggle for Peruvian independence

January 10, 1822 marks a significant milestone in the history of Peru with the founding of the Patriotic Society by General José de San Martín and his minister Bernardo Monteagudo. This organization not only symbolized the quest for the country's independence, proclaimed on July 28, 1821, but also promoted a monarchical project aimed at establishing a system of government that reflected Peru's historical traditions. According to historian Scarlett O'Phelan Godoy, the creation of this society was ephemeral, as its existence was brief and it faded away after fulfilling its initial purpose. Independence did not simply mean a break from Spanish rule; it presented an opportunity to debate and define the new structure of the Peruvian state. In this context, the Patriotic Society of Lima became a crucial platform for discussing the form of government that best suited the needs of the emerging country. Cristian Guerrero Lira argues that this society acted as a propaganda nucleus for the monarchical model, suggesting that San Martín aspired to establish an independent kingdom. However, he believed that the final determination regarding the type of government should rest with the Peruvian people, once freedom was secured. General San Martín, aware of the rich autocratic tradition of the Incas and the dynamics of the viceroyalty, advocated for the creation of a monarchical system. Jorge Guillermo Paredes Muñante highlights that one of the main objectives of the Patriotic Society was to foster a conducive environment for such a government structure, something that did not go unnoticed by the Peruvian elite. However, the fear of losing control and the privileges they had enjoyed during the viceroyalty generated resentments that hindered the implementation of this proposal. Although the society aimed to discuss a variety of public good topics, its official discourse did not openly mention the need to adopt a constitutional monarchy. This revealing silence highlights the complexity of the political discussion of the time, which oscillated between tradition and the desire for modernization. In this sense, debates were held in which different positions on the form of government clashed, although without reaching a clear consensus that would support San Martín's dream. The Patriotic Society was composed of prominent figures from the social and intellectual elite of Lima, who had managed to position themselves in the power spaces inherited from the viceroyalty. Figures such as Bernardo de Monteagudo, Tomás Guido, and other ministers of San Martín, as well as prominent intellectuals of his time, joined this cause. In one of its first meetings, the creation of the newspaper "El Sol del Perú" was agreed upon, which became a vehicle for disseminating the ideas promoted by the society and discussing the management of the new state. San Martín's hopes of establishing a constitutional monarchy reflected not only his personal vision but also a broader trend of thought that had been discussed in spaces such as the Congress of Tucumán. The idea of restoring an Inca dynasty sought to reconcile the traditions of America with a new order that, in his view, could contribute to the stability of the continent. However, this aspiration encountered a complex reality, where the reclamation of power by the criollos and other sectors of society grew stronger. Over time, opposition to the monarchy solidified, and figures like José Faustino Sánchez Carrión and other liberal politicians began to openly challenge the viability of a monarchical system. The resistance to this idea created a favorable environment for the establishment of a republican model. Thus, San Martín's ideals gradually faded, giving way to a system of government that, although imperfect, has endured in Peru's history to this day. The history of the Patriotic Society and San Martín's monarchical project serves as a reminder of the challenges and dilemmas faced by Peru in its early days as an independent nation. The struggle to define a political identity that reconciled autocratic traditions with aspirations for modernity is a theme that remains relevant in contemporary political debate. Ultimately, the evolution of the form of government in Peru is a testament to the resilience of its people and their constant search for self-determination and progress. Thus, the legacy of San Martín and the Patriotic Society becomes a fascinating chapter in a story that continues to be written, where the memory of the past should serve as a guide for the future. The current reality of Peru, with its ongoing struggles and claims, reminds us that democracy is a process under construction, in which the voices of all sectors must be heard and considered.