Summary of La Guerra del Pacífico - Ep. 1: El Inicio del Conflicto

00:00:00 - 00:10:00

The conflict between Chile and Bolivia over control of the nitrate mines in the Pacific Ocean began in 1878 when Bolivia passed a law ignoring its agreement with Chile to tax saltpeter exports. The war progressed quickly, with both sides fighting primarily at sea. Peru, which had been an ally of both Chile and Bolivia, eventually sided with Chile, and the war continued until it was finally resolved in 1883. Chile's greater numerical advantage and better ships won the day, and Peru was forced to retreat and abandon its navy.

• 00:00:00 In 1866, Latin America saw the formation of the Latin American Confederation, an alliance of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador which successfully defeated Spain in the Battle of Callao. Internal political struggles soon re-emerged, however, and in 1876, General Hilarión Daza took over as president of Bolivia. Daza's authoritarian rule was met with protests, and in response, he raised taxes on saltpeter exports, which Bolivia had previously agreed not to do in a treaty with Chile. This led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries, and in 1878, Bolivia passed a law ignoring its agreement with Chile to tax saltpeter exports.
• 00:05:00 This video tells the story of the conflict between Chile and Bolivia over control of the nitrate mines in the Pacific Ocean. Chile gained support from its government and president, and Bolivia responded by declaring war. The war progressed quickly, with both sides fighting primarily at sea. Peru, which had been an ally of both Chile and Bolivia, eventually sided with Chile, and the war continued until it was finally resolved in 1883.
• 00:10:00 This video introduces the naval conflict known as the Pacific War, which took place between Chile and Peru. Chile had a numerical advantage, and its ships were better-equipped and manned. Peru, however, relied on tactics such as avoiding battle and attacking Chile's supply lines. This led to a long and indecisive naval campaign, with both sides making occasional forays into enemy territory. In the end, Chile's greater numerical advantage and better ships won the day, and Peru was forced to retreat and abandon its navy.