the control of Uruguay, then called Banda Oriental. This war ended with the independence of Uruguay in 1828. The Argentine military achieved several victories against Brazil but internal political strife eventually forced them to withdraw and settle for the 1828 Convention of Peace, with the British serving as the intermediary. Several years later, Argentina became involved in a conflict against the United Kingdom and France. This came with the November 20, 1845 Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata. The combined forces from the United Kingdom and France seized control of the Paraná River in order to establish trade relationships with Paraguayan ports blocked by Argentina. The Army of the Argentine Confederation, commanded by General Lucio Mansilla, expelled the invaders causing severe damage to the 11 warships by shooting from both river's shores, at the cost of 150 Argentines killed and 90 wounded. Although the invading troops took fewer casualties (26 killed, 86 wounded), they decided to leave in order to preserve the remaining ships. It was the last attempt on Argentine rivers by the Royal Navy. Other notable conflicts include the following: 1864–1870: War of the Triple Alliance. Argentina, the Brazilian Empire and Uruguay invaded and routed the militaristic Paraguay of Francisco Solano López, after the strategic Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil was invaded. 1870s: The Conquest of the Desert, a military campaign directed mainly by General Julio Argentino Roca, established Argentine dominance over Patagonia. 1879: The Hydrographic Service was established. 20th century From the latter part of the 19th century to the early 20th century, the Argentine military history was characterized by a process of armed forces modernization and technification. The following are key milestones during this period: 1907: The South American dreadnought race between Argentina, Brazil and Chile started. It ends in 1914. 1912: The Argentine Army Aviation created the Army Aviation School at El Palomar, Buenos Aires. 1914–1918: Argentina remained neutral during World War I by decision of President Victorino de la Plaza. Hipólito Yrigoyen kept a similar policy. It is considered that staying neutral boosted the Argentine economy. However, during the war Argentina did invade the Jason Islands and had plans to invade the Falkland Islands as well. However, the United Kingdom intervened which Argentina did not expect, and after a 3 month undeclared conflict called the Jason Islands Conflict Argentina backed off. 1919: The Argentine Naval Aviation was established. 1921: The