Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WAR OF THE PACIFIC
With Castilla's passing, the country once again descended into chaos. A succession of
cau-
dillos
squandered the enormous profits of the guano boom and, in general, managed the
economy in a deplorable fashion. Moreover, military skirmishes would ensue with Ecuador
(over border issues) and Spain (which was trying to dominate its former South American
colonies). The conflicts left the nation's coffers empty. By 1874, Peru was bankrupt.
This left the country in a weak position to deal with the expanding clash between Chile
and Bolivia over nitrate-rich lands in the Atacama Desert. Borders in this area had never
been clearly defined and escalating tensions eventually led to military engagement. To
make matters worse for the Peruvians, President Mariano Prado abandoned the country for
Europe on the eve of the conflict. The war was a disaster for Peru at every level (not to
mention Bolivia, which lost its entire coastline).
Despite the very brave actions of military figures like Navy Admiral Miguel Grau, the
Chileans were simply better organized and had more resources, including the support of the
British. In 1881, they led a land campaign deep into Peru, occupying the capital of Lima,
during which time they ransacked the city, making off with the priceless contents of the
National Library. By the time the conflict came to a close in 1883, Peru had permanently
lost its southernmost region of Tarapacá - and it wouldn't regain the area around Tacna un-
til 1929.
