Julio Argentino Roca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th & 14th President of Argentina | |
| In office October 12, 1898 – October 11, 1904 | |
| Vice President | Norberto Quirno Costa |
| Preceded by | José E. Uriburu |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Quintana |
| In office October 12, 1880 – October 11, 1886 | |
| Vice President | Francisco Bernabé Madero |
| Preceded by | Nicolás Avellaneda |
| Succeeded by | Miguel Ángel Juárez Celman |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office August 6, 1890 – May 1, 1891 | |
| President | Carlos Pellegrini |
| Preceded by | Salustiano Zavalía |
| Succeeded by | José Vicente Zapata |
| Minister of War and the Navy | |
| In office January 4, 1878 – October 9, 1879 | |
| President | Nicolás Avellaneda |
| Preceded by | Adolfo Alsina |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Pellegrini |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 17, 1843 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina |
| Died | October 19, 1914 (aged 71) Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Resting place | La Recoleta Cemetery |
| Political party | National Autonomist |
| Spouse | Clara Funes |
| Children | Julio Pascual Roca Alejandro Roca Elisa Roca María Marcela Roca Clara Roca Agustina Roca Josefina Roca Elena Roca |
| Parent(s) | José Segundo Roca Agustina Paz |
| Relatives | Marcos Paz (uncle) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Argentine Confederation(until-1861)  Argentine Republic |
| Branch/service |  Argentine Army |
| Years of service | 1856-1880 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Cepeda Battle of Pavón Battle of Lomas Blancas Battle of Las Playas Siege of Uruguaiana Battle of Yatay Battle of Tuyutí Battle of Curupayty Battle of San Ignacio Battle of Pastos Grandes Battle of Ñaembé Battle of Santa Rosa |
Alejo Julio Argentino Roca Paz (July 17, 1843 – October 19, 1914) was an army general and statesman who served as President of Argentina from 1880 to 1886 and from 1898 to 1904. Roca is the most important representative of the Generation of '80 and is known for directing the Conquest of the Desert, a series of military campaigns against the indigenous peoples of Patagonia sometimes considered a genocide.
During his two terms as president, many important changes occurred, particularly major infrastructure projects of railroads and port facilities; increased foreign investment, along with immigration from Europe and particular large-scale immigration from southern Europe; expansion of the agricultural and pastoral sectors of the economy; and laicizing legislation strengthening state power.
Roca's main foreign policy concern was to set border limits with Chile, which had never been determined with precision. In 1881 Argentina gained territory by treaty with Chile.