In 1825, Uruguay obtained its independence after the Cisplatine War. Soon afterwards, both nations established diplomatic relations. In March 1838, France imposed a two-year blockade of Río de la Plata against Argentina during the War of the Confederation. In 1839, the Uruguayan Civil War commenced. From the beginning, France looked for allied forces to fight Buenos Aires Governor, Juan Manuel de Rosas, on their behalf. For this purpose the French supported Uruguayan President Fructuoso Rivera and helped him to defeat Constitutional President Manuel Oribe, who was on good terms with Governor Rosas. On 24 October 1838, Manuel Oribe resigned and fled to Buenos Aires, and Fructuoso Rivera assumed power. At the end of the 19th century, the French community represented about a third of Uruguay's population, most from the French Basque Country and Béarn Province.