The internecine warfare between those who favored a united Argentina with a strong central government ("Unitarios") and Buenos Aires Province leaders who favored an independent nation of their own ("Federales") dominated local political life in the decades following the Wars of Independence and led to the 1880 Federalization of Buenos Aires. Pursuant to this new policy, in 1882 President Julio Roca signed National Law 1260, which created the presidential prerogative of the appointment of the Mayor of Buenos Aires, as well as a city council by way of compromise towards the put-upon local gentry.