Reacting to the failure of the liberals, who dominated Argentina after independence, Rosas brutally repressed his political enemies and suppressed civil liberties. Often depicted as a caudillo, he was a consummate politician who contributed to the establishment of national unity in Argentina and who stood up to foreign powers like Britain and France when they imposed two blockades (1838–40; 1845–50) as a result of disputes over Paraguay and Uruguay. In February 1852 Rosas was overthrown by another caudillo, Justo José de Urquiza, and fled to England.