Patria Vieja

The first flag of Chile was adopted from 1812 until 1814

Patria Vieja (Spanish: [ˈpatɾja ˈβjexa], Old Fatherland) refers to a time period in the History of Chile occurring between the First Junta of the Government (September 18, 1810) and the Disaster of Rancagua (October 1, 1814). In this period measures were taken for the imprisonment of Fernando VII by Napoleon and this started the governmental organization of the Kingdom of Chile.

First Chilean coat of arms

This period was characterized by the transformation from a movement of temporary autonomy to one of total independence. Two things that stood out during this period were the political prominence of the Carrera brothers, especially José Miguel Carrera and the army battles headed by Bernardo O'Higgins as General. (Battle of Membrillar, Battle of Yerbas Buenas, and Battle of El Roble).

La Casa Colorada, residence of Governor Mateo de Toro y Zambrano (Currently the Museo de Santiago)

During this time a Government Junta of Chile as well as a National Congress were organized to administer the country during the imprisonment of the king. The Congress passed a law decreeing Liberty of the Womb, which stated that all children of slaves born on Chilean soil from that point onwards would be free. In 1812, the first constitutional decree was passed, which agreed to recognize the king if he accepted certain constitutional regulations.

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