War of the Pacific

The War of the Pacific was a conflict between the Kingdom of Argentina and the Republic of Chile over the Atacama Desert that were rich in nitrate and copper.

The Conflict

Prelude

Chile had planned to claim the region of Atacama since receiving its independence from Spain. However, the region was divided between the monarchies bordering the area during the Partition of Charcas, with the desert going primarily to Argentina.

In 1865, Spain had attempted to assert its authority in the New World, occupying the guano rich Chincha Islands. Spain also attempted to demand repayment of debts from the Kingdom of Peru, increasing tensions. Chile and Peru united in order to battle Spain, and were later joined by Gran Colombia. The coalition was victorious, and Peru and Chila signed a non-agression pact. Chile used the opportunity to invade the Argentine regions in the Atacama desert. Argentina sent an ultimatum, to which Chile ignored it. This caused Argentina to declare war on Chile.

Deployment

Chile sent their army to take the major ports of the area, declaring the annexation of Antofagasta, Tarapaca, and Arica y Parinacota. Argentina sent a request for aid from Peru, invoking the treaty of the Continental Ordinance. Peru denied to break their non-aggression pact with Chile, and also cited Argentina breaking the Ordinance during the unification of Italy. Argentina, therefore, had difficulty mobilizing a significant force to cross the Andes Mountains.

Battlefield

Chile managed to repel the invasion force sent by Argentina. As a response, Argentina ordered the development of an armada for an amphibious assault. While the navy was developed, Chile took the time to solidify their power in the region. This included two ironclad warships, the Almirante Cochrane and Blanco Encalada, that had been purchase from Great Britain. Argentina also launched their own ironclads, ARA El Plata and ARA Los Andes, also from Great Britain.

The Engagement

Argentina launched their naval forces by 1882, sailing around Cape Horn. Argentina lost many of their ships on the journey, including the Los Andes, but the bulk of the fleet successfully made the voyage. When the two naval forces met, the Chilean navy defeated Argentina, even capturing the El Plata. Though Argentina attempted another planned land invasion in 1883, the region proved difficult to defend.

Outcome

King Robert I of Argentina requested terms for peace in 1884, ending the conflict. In the treaty, Chile annexed the occupied region, cutting off Argentina from the Pacific Ocean.

Aftermath

King Robert approved an expedition to the south towards Cape Horn. This became the Conquest of Padagonia, in which Argentina and Chile raced to conquer lands to the south. However, the Andes Mountains remained a hard border between the two states.

Historical Significance

Legacy

The embarrassment felt by the Argentine populace became one of the driving factors for the decline in the monarchy's popularity. This culminated in the Argentine Revolution in 1905.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

1879

Ending Date

1884

See Also