The Uruguayan economy during the 1830-38 period comes to depend increasingly on cattle, on the proliferation of saladeros (meat-salting establishments), and on the export of salted beef and leather, but political instability is the most significant feature of this period.

Caudillos and their followers are mobilized because of disputes arising from deficient land demarcation between absentee landowners and squatters and between rightful owners and José Gervasio Artigas's followers who are granted land seized by Artigas.

Rivera remains in the countryside for most of his presidency, during which Lavalleja organizes three unsuccessful rebellions.

Rivera is followed as president by Oribe, one of the Thirty-Three Heroes, but they begin to quarrel after Oribe permits Lavalleja and his followers to return from Brazil.

Rivera initiates a revolutionary movement against President Oribe, who, aided by Argentine troops, defeatsRivera's forces at the Battle of Carpinteria on September 19, 1836.

In June 1838, however, the Colorados, led by Rivera, defeat Oribe 's Blanco forces; Oribe now goes into exile in Buenos Aires.