The battle of Pavón was one of the most important in Argentine history, for it symbolized the definitive union of all the Argentine provinces. This battle took place on the plains of Pavón, in the province of Santa Fe, on September 17, 1861. Most historians agree that it signalled the beginning of Argentina as a nation.

For nearly a decade prior to this battle, Argentina had suffered from internal strife and division. On February 3, 1852, the forces of Justo José de Urquiza, Governor of the province of Entre Ríos, had overthrown the army of Juan Manuel de Rosas, the violent caudillo who had ruled the province of Buenos Aires with a heavy hand since 1829;1 during the greater part of his regime, Rosas had handled foreign affairs for all fourteen of the provinces of the Argentine Confederation. Rosas was forced into exile in England. As a matter of course, Argentine then looked to Urquiza for leadership.