There are many fascinating epochs in the history of South America, but not all of them are widely understood. The rise and fall of various indigenous empires, the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, and the development of colonial society are well known. The colonies’ struggle to become independent from Spain and to define themselves as nations afterwards is more of a mystery to most people. The War of the Pacific formed an important chapter in the early post-colonial history of South America.
Although Chile, Bolivia and Peru banded together when they were all seeking independence from Spain, they did not remain allies for long. Chile soon attempted to annex areas in Peru and Bolivia that contained valuable minerals.
The War of the Pacific began in 1879, when armed forces from Chile occupied Antofagasta, Bolivia, which was an important port city. Bolivia responded by declaring war on Chile and asking Peru to activate their “mutual defense pact.” Chile requested that Peru remain neutral. Though Peru initially resisted both demands, Chile declared war on both Bolivia and Peru.
Fighting took place in the Atacama Desert as well as in Peru’s deserts and mountains. Chile’s army easily defeated the under-equipped forces of Peru and Bolivia. Bolivia withdrew at the Battle of Tacna in 1880. Just a few months later, Peru was defeated at the Battle of Arica. At that point, Peru’s army engaged in guerrilla warfare. Although this resistance movement made some strides, Peru was ultimately still defeated. Chile and Peru signed the Treaty of Ancon in 1883. Bolivia and Chile signed a truce in 1884. It wasn’t until 1904 that the two countries signed the “Treaty of Peace and Friendship” which recognized their boundaries.
When you study Spanish in South America, you will find that the legacy of the War of the Pacific continues even to this day. As a result of the war, the boundaries of the nation of Bolivia were redrawn. Whereas colonial Bolivia had access to the coast at Antofagasta, today Bolivia is a landlocked country, and Antofagasta belongs to Chile. This was, and is, a serious blow to Bolivia’s economy. Even today, people feel that many of the country’s problems are a result of the fact that it is landlocked.
The War of the Pacific came into the public eye in recent years when in 2007 the government of Chile returned about 4,000 books to the national library in Peru. Chilean soldiers had taken the books over 100 years ago.
Monument of the War of the Pacific in Bolivia. “What was once ours will be ours again”