Brazil had gained its independence from Portugal in 1822. The region now known as Uruguay lay on the Eastern bank of the River Plate, and had passed through English, Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian control in a short period at the start of the nineteenth century. 

In August 1825, Uruguay declared its independence from Brazil, instigating the Argentina- Brazil War. The conflict lasted until August 1828, when a British negotiated a resolution to the war that led to Brazil recognising Uruguay’s independence. 

The constitution for the nation was drawn up by the General Constituent and Legislative Assembly of the State , the predecessor of the Uruguayan Parliament. Influenced by the French and American revolutions, it divided the government among the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. It established a republican unitary state; the official religion was Roman Catholic. It was promulgated on July 18th 1830.