The arrival of Europeans
Charruas were the only inhabitants of the area to the arrival of Europeans. It acts of a small tribe pushed back by the guaranís. The Spaniards discovered this zone in 1516, but the absence of gold and money, combined with the strong resistance of Charruas dissuaded Europeans to settle there during XVIe and the XVIIe century. The Spaniards introduced the cattle in Uruguay and thus developed the economy of the area.

The XVIII and XIXe century
More, late, the Spaniards increased their presence to limit the expansion of the Portuguese installed to Brazil. Thus, the Spaniards founded Montevideo at the XVIIIe century to place their army there. The natural port of Montevideo finishes by concurencer the trade of Buenos Aires. The beginning of the XIXe century was marked by fights between the British, Portuguese and Spaniards for the domination of a zone extending on Uruguay and a part of Argentina and Brazil.

Gervasio Artigas launched a revolt against the Spaniards. This rising made it possible to drive out the Spaniards and Artigas became a hero for Uruguay. Portugal annexed in 1821 the territory which will become current Uruguay by integrating it in Brazil. Revolts without success burst in 1821 and 1823. August 25, 1825, the province of Uruguay declared its independence of Brazil, but wanted nevertheless to join Argentina by forming a regional federation. This union between Argentina and Uruguay made it possible to overcome Brazil at the end of three years of war.

The treaty of Montivideo, which was signed in 1828 and was approved by the United Kingdom, gave rise to Uruguay as independent and sovereign country. The first constitution was adopted on July 18, 1830. During the 70 following years, Uruguay will connaitra of many conflicts with the close countries. At the same time, much from immigrants, especially from Europeans will come to settle in Uruguay.

The XXe century and the beginning of XXIe
Batlle Ordoñez, president between 1903 and 1907, then between 1911 and 1915, establish the bases of the current political organization, thanks to the many political reforms, social and economic that it put in œuvre. The presidents who succeeded to him continued some of these reforms.

The country crossed serious economic, social and political problems from 1966 which carried out to the insertion of amendments in the Constitution which will be adopted in 1967. In 1973, the situation had worsened compared to 1966: the soldiers decided to close the Congress and to seize the capacity. They wrote a new Constitution, but the citizens rejected it at the time of the referendum organized in November 1980.

After this failure, the soldiers announced a program to return the capacity to the civil authorities. Elections were organized in 1984: Julio María Sanguinetti, leader of the Colorado Party, gained the elections and became president between 1985 and 1990.

In 1989, it was Luis Alberto Lacalle of the national Party which gained the most votes. It occupied the presidency between 1990 and 1995. Under its mandate, Uruguay entered Mercosur, an economic alliance with its close countries.

In 1994, Julio María Sanguinetti left again at the head the presidential elections. Its second mandate began in 1995 and was completed in March 2000.

Jorge Batlle became president of Uruguay on March 1, 2000 for a 5 years mandate.