War of the Pacific .281879.E2.80.931883.29 Chile–Peru relations

national borders in region had never been definitively established; 2 countries negotiated treaty recognized 24th parallel south boundary , gave chile right share export taxes on mineral resources of bolivia s territory between 23rd , 24th parallels. bolivia subsequently became dissatisfied @ having share taxes chile , feared chilean seizure of coastal region chilean interests controlled mining industry.

peru s interest in conflict stemmed traditional rivalry chile hegemony on pacific coast. also, prosperity of peruvian government s guano (fertilizer) monopoly , thriving nitrate industry in peru s tarapacá province related mining activities on bolivian coast.

in 1873 peru agreed secretly bolivia mutual guarantee of territories , independence. in 1874 chilean-bolivian relations ameliorated revised treaty under chile relinquished share of export taxes on minerals shipped bolivia, , bolivia agreed not raise taxes on chilean enterprises in bolivia 25 years. amity broken in 1878 when bolivia tried increase taxes of chilean antofagasta nitrate company on protests of chilean government. when bolivia threatened confiscate company s property, chilean armed forces occupied port city of antofagasta on feb. 14, 1879. bolivia imposed presidential decree confiscated chilean property in bolivia, chile understood declaration of war. government of la paz next called peruvian aid in accordance defensive alliance both nations had made in 1873, peru tried negotiate peaceful solution between bolivia , chile in order avoid war. chile, after finding out defensive alliance of bolivia , peru, demanded peru remain neutral, , peruvian government decided discuss both chilean , bolivian proposal in congressional meeting. however, before peru able provide decision, on april 5, 1879, war officially declared when chile declared war on both bolivia , peru.

chile occupied bolivian coastal region (antofagasta province) , took offensive against peru. naval victories @ iquique (may 21, 1879) , angamos (oct. 8, 1879) enabled chile control sea approaches peru. chilean army invaded peru. attempt @ mediation united states failed in october 1880, , chilean forces occupied peruvian capital of lima following january.

chile occupy provinces of tacna , arica 10 years, after plebiscite held determine nationality. 2 countries failed decades agree on terms plebiscite conducted. diplomatic dispute on tacna , arica known question of pacific. finally, in 1929, through mediation of united states, accord reached chile kept arica; peru reacquired tacna , received $6 million indemnity , other concessions.

during war peru suffered loss of thousands of people , property, and, @ war s end, seven-month civil war ensued; nation foundered economically decades thereafter. in 1884 truce between bolivia , chile gave latter control of entire bolivian coast (antofagasta province), nitrate, copper, , other mineral industries; treaty in 1904 made arrangement permanent. in return chile agreed build railroad connecting bolivian capital of la paz port of arica , guaranteed freedom of transit bolivian commerce through chilean ports , territory. bolivia continued attempt break out of landlocked situation through la plata river system atlantic coast, effort led chaco war (1932–35) between bolivia , paraguay.

in 1883, chile , peru signed treaty of ancón in peru handed on province of tarapacá. peru had hand on departments of arica , tacna. these remain under chilean control until later date, when there plebiscite decide nation maintain control on arica , tacna. chile , peru, however, unable agree on how or when hold plebiscite, , in 1929, both countries signed treaty of lima, in peru gained tacna , chile maintained control of arica.