Pacific wars in Latin America. Pacific War

The war in the Pacific began with limited foci, but there was a significant part of the global conflict - the atomic bombing of it was shortly by the end of the war.

Expansionism of Japan

For Japan, the global economic crisis had devastating consequences. Trying to cope with them, the Japanese successfully took over the colonization of the nearby manchuria, which Japan had claims from the times of the Japanese-China War. The country hoped that so for Japanese products new foreign trade markets will open, more territories will appear for deploying agriculture and access to many minerals. Although Manchuria brought profit not as fast as I wanted, the Japanese population was covered by enthusiastically in anticipation of further expansion.

The territories that Japan chose for their expansion were already colonized by European powers, so as the Japanese strives to colonization developed a conflict that inevitably surrendered to the war. Indochina belonged to France, the British owned colonies on Burma, Malaya and in Singapore and put pressure on Siam (modern Thailand). The Kingdom of the Netherlands turned around the rich raw group of the islands within the Ost-India Company and even the Americans claimed the Philippines. In such an atmosphere, Japan felt oppressed - according to the Japanese, world powers intended to invade the primordial sphere of the influence of Japan. In the ranks of the Japanese public, boiling indignation about the fact that Europeans will take their property in front of their nose, a Panasian mood originated: Asia must belong to Asians, and, by virtue of its military and economic power, Japan was called upon to take a leading role in the guidance " new order in East Asia. " The idea was rooted in the minds of the Japanese, as if the invasion of Southeast Asia would be a step towards the liberation of fraternal Asian peoples from the colonial oppression of Europeans. In 1940, events in Europe began to play the Japanese hand. Germany, already being an ally of Japan, managed to defeat the French and the Netherlands in June, and the future of both countries was threatened. In France, the puppet government

The loop during the mode of Vichy under pressure from Germany remained only one way out - allow the Japanese to enter the French Indochina - "to support", as it was called. The Netherlands colonial administrations in the Pacific initially managed to keep positions. The United Kingdom, being now the only military opponent in Germany in Europe, could no longer guarantee security for their colonies. Therefore, in 1940, the only tangible resistance of the Expansive Policy of the Japanese proceeded by the United States.

Before attacking Pearl Harbor

The United States significantly exceeded Japan in terms of population, the size of the territory and power of the industrial economy. The decision to go to the war on such an enemy was not quite simple, although the United States became an increasingly serious obstacle to the implementation of expansive plans. The generous military and economic assistance, which the United States provided the Chinese nationalists, made it even more difficult for the provision of the Japanese army in Asia and strengthened anti-American moods. In addition, the oil interests of Americans in Southeast Asia deprived the Japanese fleet the opportunity to nominate south. And the decisive role was played by the fact that the Americans refused to recognize the claims of Japan on Manchuria.

At the end of 1941, Japan was ready to break into Southeast Asia. To prevent the growth of war, Japan has taken the last diplomatic attempt and invited Roosevelt to negotiations. In November 1941, an attempt was finally crowned with failure; Roosevelt categorically did not want to fall under suspicion, providing concessions to fascism - the reproach addressed to Chamberlain, so he crossed the hopes of the Japanese, which they associated with the meeting. Now Japan has seen only one possibility: war. The military recognized the property of preventive impact on the Pacific Fleet of the United States until he still stand in the port. Attack: In the exterritorial waters, the weather could make it difficult for the first months of 1942, and before summer, Japanese oil reserves could be assessed as much as possible. Therefore, the blow was deposited immediately: December 7

1941 (in Washington; December 8 in Tokyo) The Japanese opened their unexpected attack on Pearl-Har-Bor (Hawaiian Islands) and destroyed the Pacific Fleet of the United States in his native harbor.

Superiority on the side of Japan

At first, Japan could freely dispose of Southeast Asia, because Roosevelt declared the policy "first - Germany." So, Japan has achieved influence in the region, taking two important cities that were under the control of the British: Hong Kong on December 25, 1941 and Singapore on February 25, 1942. At the beginning of 1942, the Japanese finally seized the Islands of the Island of the Birma owned by the Dutch East India Company Malaya, Sumatra, as well as the Philippines; They were at the peak of their power. In May 1942, the Allied forces won the battle on the coral Sea. It was the first marine battle between aircraft carriers, and although the allies were caused more serious damage, the losses of the Japanese were more significant, and their attack plan on Port Morsby in New Guinea was upset. Port Morsby, as it turned out, was one of the most important support bases of allies in the Pacific Ocean, and if the Japanese would capture her, they would take a favorable position, from where they could start an offensive on North Australia.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor: the destroyer "USS SHAW".

Marine battle for Midway

A month after the battle on the coral Sea, Japan attacked the Base of the American Fleet on the Islands of Midway in the center of the Pacific Ocean. It was conceived as a retribution for the air raid on Tokyo, perfect in April 1942. The first, the so-called "Dulitla raid" on the Japanese land. The flare was carried out on the orders of Colonel James Dulitla from the aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. The blow deeply shook the Japanese people, who was not ready for the air war.

This bold attack on the island of Midway, in which the Japanese were forced to divide their front into two parts, would bring to the Americans a decisive defeat - if it were over successful. However, the US Navy, thanks to its superior communication technologies, were aware of the plans of the Japanese and had the opportunity to request additional ships, which hurried to the bench for the base and opened an unexpected return. Among others there was an aircraft carrier "USS Yorktown", which at a rush pace was renovated after the battle on the coral sea. In the battle for Midway, which lasted from 4 to 7 June 1942, the Americans have achieved a decisive victory: four Japanese aircraft carriers were destroyed. This battle marks a turning point in the Pacific War; Japan was no longer able to recover from the loss of aircraft carriers - the country was forced to go into defense.

Allies are applied

The war in the Pacific, unfolded mainly on the sea. In August 1942, the 1st American Marine Infantry Division landed on Guadalka-Dash, the largest of Solomon Islands, and began a fierce battle on land, which was won only in February 1943. In August 1942, the Japanese attacked the Australian Base in Mile Bay on New Guinea. Australia replied to the Japanese strike in early September - that was the first victory of the allies in the land battle. With the increasing success of the allies acted, guided by the so-called "Jumps of Island" policies: Fighting, they moved forward from the island to the island and freed them from Japanese invaders, often carrying very large losses - while the goal was pursued as close as possible to Japan itself. So from the beginning of 1943, all new Guinea was protected by Australians and Americans, and in the next two years, the United States advanced even further to the territory occupied by the Japanese; In November 1943, they landed at Solomon Islands, and in mid-1944 in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands).

Atomic mushroom over Nagasaki rose above the city at a height of more than 6000 m; The victims of this second on the account of the atomic bomb (the first Hiroshima struck) was not less than 75,000 people.

Battle in the Gulf of Leate

In October 1944, in the Bay of Leyte in the Philippines, the largest battle in history. Superior Armed Forces of the Japanese tried to prevent the Allies to take the Philippine Island of Leyte; This battle finally destroyed the Japanese fleet, and in the future he no longer was a serious danger. In the battle, the Japanese first used pilots-kamikadze, committing suicide flights. The use of this extreme combat tactic was interpreted as a sign of the growing fatalism of the Japanese. Japanese suicide pilots sent aircraft in the focus of enemy ships, so as to achieve maximum destructive potential. The first flair of Kamikadze was registered on October 21, 1944 at the Australian ship "Hmas Australia.

After the victory in the Gulf of Leyte, the Allied countries remained two months before the planned seizure of Okinawa, so it was decided to take the Isodezima Island with a local Japanese airbase. The offensive began in February 1945, and the struggle was fierce, because the Japanese soldiers were given the order to fight to the last and kill as many enemy soldiers as possible. The island was taken in 1945 - a timely before the invasion of Okinawa.

Battle for Okinawa

In March 1945, the Americans began to make air raids on Japanese cities that were taken by thousands of human lives. The British managed to drive the Japanese from Burma, and in April, the Americans began the invasion of Okinawa. Okinawa was part of the Ryuku archipelago, and, therefore, belonged to Japan. Unlike iodzima, here civilian population Military actions affected directly. According to estimates, more than 100,000 Japanese were killed or committed suicide after the propaganda leaflets about the cruel whitmen of Americans were scattered. At the end of June Okinawa was occupied. It was the last major battle in the Pacific War, although at that moment it did not seem so.

Atomic bombing

12,000 human victims from the American side and 100,000 with Japanese were such a loss in Okinawa - these data were forced by US President Truman to bring the end of the war as soon as possible. The forces of the Allies were weakened by continuous battles, and when the recovery about the victory in Europe faced, few people were ready for a conventional attack on the Japanese Islands. In addition, it was necessary to take into account the serious losses of the soldiers of the allies. The war in Europe was completed, and the Russians prepared an attack to win the manchuria. However, Truman wanted to slow down the expansion of his Russian allies in the region. As a result of his reflection on August 6, 1945, the Americans dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima - she completely destroyed the city and took a total of (including victims of consequences) about 200,000 human lives. August 9, 1945 The second bomb was reset on Nagasaki. Six days later, on August 15, the Japanese capitulated - and the war in the Pacific Ocean, and at the same time and the second world Warwas finally completed.

June 16, 1948 solemn ceremony in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom; Standing remains of 4000 American soldiers are on board "US Lawrence Victory to return to New York.

Effects

From 1945 to 1952 Japan was under a straight American occupation under the general command of General Douglas Macacatour. The Japanese Emperor Hirokhito was not accused as a military criminal, he was rehabilitized and - although with the restriction of authority - again declared the emperor. He retained a number of executive functions and supported the new constitution compiled by American invaders. The new constitution prescribed the Japanese disarmament and demilitarization; At the same time guaranteed the voting law for women and decided to release the Japanese education system from indosttrinations - through the abolition of the imperial decree on the upbringing, which served the main reason The emergence of extreme nationalism in Japanese society.

In the footsteps of the Pacific War in Itigai, the International Military Tribunal took place for Far East - Analogue of the Nuremberg process in Germany. The processes were conducted from 1946 to 1948, the main indictments sounded like this: maintaining the grip wars and cruel treatment of prisoners of war. Stories of eyewitnesses about the massacre in Nanjing in December 1937, during which the population of at least 200,000 people were destroyed, became the basis for the conviction of the accused, among whom were former prime ministers and foreign ministers, generals and theoretics of racial superiority. All the accused were convicted - some died during the process, seven of 25 were sentenced to death, among them - both former Hirosta and Todz Prime Minister, which were hanged in 1948.

Peace

The invasion of the Communists in South Korea in 1950 forced the United States to distract his attention and strength from Japan, so gradually the power returned to the hands of Japanese politicians. This process of step-by-step return of Japan's sovereignty resulted in the San Francis Mirny Treaty, which was signed on September 8, 1951. Ratification of the Agreement in April 1952 marks the end of the American occupation of Japan.

The first Pacific War of 1864-1866 became the last attempt to the Spanish Empire to restore its influence in the former Latin American colonies. At the same time, it turned out to be the first large-scale use of the steam fleet in the southern hemisphere. It turned out that the ships are needed not only ammunition and food, but also large coal reserves, and even in conflict with a weaker opponent, the fleet cannot perform the tasks without reliable base.

Spain returns to South America

The reign of Queen Isabella II in 1833-1868 was the most controversial period in Spanish xIX history century. It was the era of decline of the Spanish Colonial Empire, in the country there was a constant confrontation between "progressors" and "moderate", complicated by the struggle between military groups. At the same time, thanks to political and economic reforms, the country joined the strip of stormy industrial development, one of the consequences of which the steam armored fleet was construction.

Isabella II desperately tried to restore the greatness of Spain, the fleet became one of the means of revival of the colonial empire. From the end of the 1850s, Spain was regularly involved in the overseas military adventures: war with Morocco, intervention in Mexico, seizure of Santo Domingo. The Spaniards used the fact that civil war raged in the north-American states, so the "monroe doctrine" of Americans had to forget for some time.

However, the queen and her ministers wanted more - to restore the Spanish influence in South America. In 1862, a squadron was directed there under the command of the counter-admiral Luis Hernandez-Pinson Alvareza: the frigates of Nourera Señora del Trownfo and Resolison, the Corvette "Vensenedor" and Shhun "Virgen de Kovadong". The row frigates have just come into line had a displacement of 3200 tons and speed up to 11 nodes, each used twenty-68-pound and fourteen 32-pound guns. A 778-ton vestor was carried in two 68- and 32-pound guns, and a 630-ton "Kowadong" - two short 68-pound leaders on swivel machines. All ship artillery was smooth.

Louis Hernandez-Pinson Alvarez.
dspace.unia.es.

The official purpose of the expedition was the study of the Pacific coast, a group of scientists were on the squadron: three zoologists, geologist, botany, anthropologist and taxidermist, as well as a photographer and artist Rafael Castro Ordones.

At first, the expedition passed quite peacefully. At the end of 1862, she visited Argentina, in the spring of 1863 he arrived in Chile, and in July he went to the Peruvian port of Cagliao. Here Hernandez-Pinson, despite the lack of diplomatic relations between Spain and Peru, was kindly accepted by the then Peruvian President Juan Antonio Penest.

The map of the Pacific Expedition from the report of her head Manuel Almagro.
Manuel de almagro. Comisión Científica Del Pacífico. Breve Descripción De Los Viajes Hechos En América Por La Comision Científica. Madrid, 1866.

However, the instructions also prescribed Hernandez-Pinson to demonstrate the power of Spain in the region. The reason for such a demonstration appeared in August 1863, when in the north of Peru during the conflict between migrants from Spain and people of the local landowner Manuel Salseedo, a certain Juan Miguel Ormabal was killed, Basque by nationality. Since the dead was listed by the Spanish subject, Madrid demanded the punishment of guilty and compensation for damage. But the Peruvian authorities were first dragging with the answer, and then refused to recognize the powers of the Spanish Messenger Salazara-I-Mashero, specially arrived from Chile in March 1864. Peruvians alerted its powers: in documents, Salazar was officially called "Special and Emergency Commissioner of the Queen"And it was the title of a colonial official. In addition, Salazar immediately began to threaten the use of force, and Peruvians pointed to the door.

The hunched Salazar returned to the squadron and demanded the use of force from Hernandez-Pinson. Admiral did not have anything other than to fulfill the order of the Emergency Royal Commissioner. On April 14, 1864, the Spanish squadron, leaving scientists in Chilean Valparaiso, arrived at the Chincha archipelago and landed the landing of 400 marines there. Peruvian Governor Ramon Baye was arrested.

Messenger Eusebio Salazar and Mashero.
La Ilustración Espanola Y Americana, 1871

Chincha Archipelago is a group of three small rocky islands with a total area of \u200b\u200bless than one square kilometer lying 12 miles from the coast of Peru and 120 miles south of Callao (the main port of this country). At that time, the islands had a large economic value, as Guano was produced here - natural fertilizer from bird's face, which constituted the basis of the export of Peru. To all, Spain did not recognize the independence of Peru, so in terms of the Spaniards of the island were the territory of the empire.

Through the French Consul, Hernandez-Pinson conveyed a message that he was ready to return the islands, but if the contribution was paid, laid by Spain, following the results of the war, Peru for independence according to the so-called "Ayakucho's capitulation". Once the Peruvian government recognized this debt, but constantly delayed his payment. Thus, with moral, and from legal points of view, the Spaniards considered themselves right.

The parties are preparing for a fight

At that moment, the Republic of Peru could not lead the war on the sea. Peruvian fleet, once the best in South America, after civil War 1856-1858 was in a deplorable state. Fully combed only a screw frigate "Amazonas" with a capacity of 1743 BRT, built in England in 1852. It had 16 long and 10 short smooth-bore 32-pound guns, one rotary 84-pound gun and could develop 9.5 knots.

Peruvian frigate "Amazonas".
marina.mil.pe.

The second frigate, "apurimak" (1666 BRT), built there in 1855, sank in 1860 with the floating dock. In 1863, it was raised and rebuilt into the battleship by installing a 76-mm belt from flattering railway rails, as southerners in the United States. To compensate for weight, the ship's mast was cut, and under the machine frigate could not give no more than 7 knots. In England, two armored tower with four 300-pound (254-mm arm, Armstrong guns were specifically ordered for the armored train, but they did not fall into the ship, but they strengthened the coastal defense of Callao on time. In addition, Peru had a 250-ton spiral schooner "Tumbes" with two 68-pound guns, Schuna "Loa", which was in a completely non-visible state, as well as two armed steamers.

However, Hernandez-Pinson was not going to fight with Peru: he believed that chinese islands capture is quite enough to influence the policies of opponents. Indeed, after the Messenger Salazar was recalled for self-government, President Peru General Juan Antonio Penest began negotiations with Spain, trying to overtake the most favorable reasons for the return of the islands.

At the same time, the government of Peru began to hastily strengthen his fleet, discovering the nationwide collection of funds for the construction of new ships and the modernization of old. The coastal defense of Callao intensified, and a mission was sent to Europe for the purchase of new weapons (primarily by marine).

Officially martialctions I did not work with Spain, so in the summer of 1864, Peruvians managed to receive a loan of 12 million peso in England and order two armadors at once: the Independence battery frigate in 3500 tons and the Town of nautical monitor "Wascar" in 2000 tons with two cut-free 254-mm guns. In addition, on the same money at the beginning of 1865, Peruvians were able to smash the Georgia and Texas cruiser from France, which was built in the Nante for the Fleet of the Confederation. They were renamed respectively in "Union" and "America". These rather large single-type ships had a displacement of 1827 tons, developed the speed of up to 12 knots and carried the twelve 68-pound dor-charged rifle cannons.

In addition, by 1865, Peruvians managed to put into operation two small armadid ships. The income "Loa", rebuilt from the wooden steam canoner "Volett", had a displacement of about 658 tons, two guns are 110 and 32 pounds and 76-mm armored armor was protected from flattering railway rails. Kanconry "Victoria" in 300 tons was built in Peru itself, at the shipyard of the Ramos brothers in Callao; It was equipped with a car removed from the steam locomotive, carried the same 76-mm armor and one 68-pound smooth-bore gun per armor on the turntable platform. Finally, in March 1865, a small armed steamer "Colon" with two 12-pound guns went to Peru to Peru.

Casemate "Loa" in Callao. Photo from the collection Gonzalo Maganya.
Wikimedia Commons

Meanwhile, the Spanish squadron managed to lose one of the ships: the frigate "Noustra Señora del Trownfo" burned down on the night from November 24-25, 1864, when one of the sailors broke the bank with a turpidar and tried to wipe the puddle at the world oil lantern. From Spain, three more frigates (Rinina Blanca, Berenguela and Villa De Madrid) went from Spain to strengthen the Pacific, "Berenguel"), and the former Spanish Sea Minister Vice Admiral José Manuel Pairha became the new commander.

In Peru itself, the split was called. Parliament and society demanded active actions, but president of peasses and created by him "Hunt Defense" perfectly understood that the republic could not do anything with the Spanish squadron. However, the occupation of Chincha's core deprived the state of budget revenues, and it was impossible to pull the problem with the solution, so in December 1864 the authorities began negotiations with a pair. On January 27, 1865, on board the "Villa de Madrid" frigate, the so-called "Vivanco-Pair" agreement was signed in Callao, which satisfying almost all the requirements of the former metropolis: recognition of the commission to investigate incidents with Spanish citizens, as well as the payment of all debts and compensation in the amount 3 million gold pesos (about 2.4 million dollars at the then rate). In exchange for this, Spain returned Chincha Island.

Spanish frigate "Rhine Blanca".
labombalima.blogspot.com

The amount of payments was small compared to a 12 million loan, taken in England for the war with Spain, but Peruvians considered a national humiliation agreement, and the president of the peseta is a traitor. In the country, the riots began to grow into a civil war, the President of Penest was overthrown by Colonel Mariano Ignasio Prado and left the country on the English ship on November 7. Prado organized elections in the capital, according to their results, declared himself a legal president, after which he refused to fulfill the contract with Spain.

Birth of a coalition

Meanwhile, a third party appeared in the conflict. England, France and the United States have announced their neutrality, but Peru supported the neighbors - Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador. In September 1864, Chileans officially refused to supply the Spanish squadron coal, which became a serious blow to her. At the same time, military equipment was afraid of Chile in Peru and even the detachments of armed volunteers were sent. Spanish ships detained two closures in Peru Chilean steamer with weapons, and relationships between the parties ran up to the limit.

On September 17, 1865, the Spanish squadron approached Valparaiso, where Admiral Parech demanded from the authorities of an apology, payments to compensation, removing the ban on the supply of coal by Spanish ships and salute from 21 guns to their flagship "Villa de Madrid". Chileans refused, and on September 24, a pareha, quite recently received from the metropolis, the replenishment in the form of the latest battery cornight "Numania", announced the marine blockade of Chile. Three days later, President Chile José Hoakin Perez declared War of Spain. At the same time, negotiations began to join the Anti-West Coalition of Bolivia (which at that time had a way out to the Pacific Ocean between Chile and Peru) and Ecuador.

Spanish armadiole "Numania" is the most modern and powerful ship of the Spanish Fleet. It was built in France, had an iron corps, a displacement of 7190 tons, a belt with a thickness of 140 to 100 m and 120 mm battery, which was located thirty-four 68-pound (200 mm) smooth-bore cannons. Officially, the maximum speed of the armadire was 13 knots, but in practice he developed no more than 10. In addition, the smooth-bore cannons of the River system by the mid-1860s already hopelessly outdated.
Foro.elgrancapitan.org.

Events have acquired anecdotic turnover: Chileans fought with Spain, and Peruvians, because of which it all began, did not yet opened the fighting. Since all 1600 miles of the Chilean coast were impossible to block, the pair has distributed his strength as follows: The flagship frigate "Villa de Madrid", along with Valceedor and Kowadonga blocked Valparaiso, the main base of the Chilean Fleet, Frigate "Berenguela" - Kokimbo, Frigate " Rhine Blanca "- Caldera, where eight Chilean courts were destroyed, the frigate" Resolise "is the bay of Concepcion. These were the main ports of the northern part of Chile, through which the main trade with the outside world was going. The Chilean Falls had 267 vessels with a total capacity of 61,000 tons, so the cessation of trade reports was painfully responded to the country's economy. In addition, in the early days of the blockade of the Spaniards managed to capture several Chilean steamats, the largest of which was the coalman "Matias Kusinho" with a capacity of 877 BRT. However, the martial spirit of the country's population was high, and the level of training of the Chilean fleet is quite good.

By this time, the Military fleet of Chile had three steam corvette: "Abyto" (four 203-mm smooth-bore tools and five 40-pound rings), "Arauko" (ten 70-pound rifle guns in the battery and a 100-pound rush gun on the rotary platform ) And "Esmeralda" (twenty-30-pound smooth-bore guns). In addition, there were five aircraft and gunners: "Mapa", "Ankud", "Valdivia", "Numerals" and "Concepcion", who were detached from three to six cannons by a caliber from 20 to 100 pounds. Two more ship, "Chakabuko" and "O'Higgins", were built in England on the sample of the Alabama screw gate, but the British government refused to transmit them to Chile until the end of the war.

Chilean Corvette "Esmeralda".
Revista de Marina. Publicacion BiMestral De La Armada de Chilie. Vol. 106, №789, MARZO-ABRIL 1989

To counteract the blockade, this fleet could not, but immediately unfolded active actions. Already on November 17, an anecdotic case was happening: a boat from the Spanish Frigate "Resolisement", armed with one gun, stopped the Little Chilean Tug "Independence" in the bay Concepcion. The tug lowered the flag and stopped, but when the boat moored to him, it turned out that there was about hundreds of Chilean soldiers on the towing, and the Spaniards had to surrender.

On November 26, 1865, the 900-ton Chilean Corvette "Esmeralda" met the Spanish schooner of Kowadong, who used the pair as a messenger vessel. Chileans went to deception: when rapprocked, the British flag raised and only before the opening of the fire changed it to Chilean. At a small distance, the numerous Chilean artillery played a decisive role - under the city of Kowadong nuclei and bombs launched the flag. In the shootout, 4 Spaniards were killed, another 6 officers and 115 sailors were captured, a secret correspondence was captured and the Squadron Signal Book.

For the admiral, the pairs, who pushed his country to war with the coalition of Latin American states, it became the last straw: on November 27, 1865, he shot himself, dining in a complete parade form. The management of the squadron accepted Commodor Costa Mendez Nunenes - the commander of the largest Spanish ship of the Numanciara ship.

Next, the events developed rapidly. On December 5, Peru and Chile officially entered into an alliance against Spain, on December 14, 1865 already who had already made himself in the generals of Prado declared Spain War. In January 1866, Ecuador joined the Anti-West Union, and in March - Bolivia. The fighting they did not start, but closed their ports for the Spaniards. Thus, the entire Pacific Coast of South America formed hostile Spanish coalition, and Mendez Nunes ships have nowhere to bull.

Costa Mendez Nunies. Paskoil's engraving Serra and Mas, Madrid, Prado Museum

In addition, the strength of opponents of Spain was constantly growing: from England, the heavy guns for coastal defense were delivered there, and from France, in mid-January 1866, the purchased steam carts "America" \u200b\u200band "Union" were supposed. In addition, after the end of the Civil War in the United States, Peruvians managed to recruit several marine officers of the Confederation, including Capten John Tucker, the former Chicor's armored commander. In June 1866, these people arrived in Cagliao.

Battle with Inter

In anticipation of the arrival of ships from Europe, the Allies decided to focus their sea forces in the southern part of Chile. In early January 1866, the Amazonas frigate and the Arizonak armadioles under the command of the captain of the 1st rank of Manuel Villara arrived in northern part Bay Ankud, where the military harbor of Abtao was located. Ship-repair capacity was here, and most importantly - the bay was separated from the ocean chiloe archipelago, and it was very difficult to pass without Lotsman. In Abtao, the Chilean "Esmeralda", captured by her "Kowadong", as well as the Canoners "Loutaro" and "Antonio Varas" (850 tons) and armed steamer "Mapa".

Chiloe Archipelago and Ankud Bay.
Wikimedia Commons

On January 15, on the approach to Ambetao Frigate "Amazonas" due to the mistake of the Chilean Lotsmana, appealed to the stones at the exit of the Chakao Strait, separating Chiloe Island from the North. Subsequently, the ship was destroyed by storm. So the allies suffered the first loss, although some of the ship's guns managed to remove and install on the shore to protect the Harbor Abyto. However, on February 4, the Korvette "America" \u200b\u200band "Union" who arrived from Europe, who arrived from Europe, joined the squadron, after which Esmeralda was again sent to cruise to the north.

Having learned about the concentration of the enemy in Abtao, Mendez Nunies sent here the frigates "Rhine Blanca" (3800 tons) and "Villa de Madrid" (4478 tons). Each vehicle is a thirty-68-pound (200 mm) and fourteen 32-pound (160-mm) smooth-bore tools, on Madrid also had two rifled 150-mm and 80mm guns.

Knowing the difficulties of passage through the Chakao Strait, Spanish ships moved to the southern route - through the bay of Ankud. Closer to Abtao they went slowly, constantly freeing the depth. Head was "Rhine Blanca". On February 7, at 10 am, Spanish ships were noticed with Kowadong's dosac. Only at 15:30 Peruvian "Apurimak" was the first to opened fire on the Spanish frigates, which remained about 8 cab.

Battle scheme with Inter.
Wikimedia Commons

The Peruvian-Chilean squadron led fire, standing at anchor in the Strait between the mainland and the island of Abtao: some of the ships were repaired, some of them were disassembled cars. Only "Kowadong" actively maneuvered, sometimes approaching the opponent to a distance of 4 cab.

The allies had 57 guns against 92 Spanish. "America" \u200b\u200breceived six hits, "Union" and "Apurimak" - three, "Kowadong" - one. In turn, the Spanish Frigate "Rhine Blanca" was stranded, fell under a focused fire from ships and coast, and in the end he received 16 hits, including one hole in the stern side below the Waterlinia. "Villa de Madrid" received 11 hits that did not harm him. On the Spanish ships was three dead and six wounded. The Peruvians died 12 people, the bronnosnoy frigate "Apurimak" was most of all, which received holes below Waterlinia and damage to the machine.

Battle with Inter.
Histarmar.com.ar.

The Spanish squadron had to take care of ammunition, so by making about 2000 shots, she was forced to stop the fire and step out to be south, and the next morning he left the bay of Ankud. This gave the foundation to the Allies to announce their victory. Special medal with an inscription was minted in Peru "February 7, 57 guns against 92". The Spaniards were limited to ridicule over the cowardice of Chileans and Peruvians in their press. However, in fact, the fight knocked down from the Spaniards: Whatever the press wrote, South American fleets unexpectedly turned out to be serious opponents.

Bombardment Valparaiso

Meanwhile, Mendez Nunies with the Numania battleship moved to the south along the coast of Chile in search of enemy ships. Chileans have already returned their commercial vessels into the ports or transferred them to the flags of other states, but on March 9, the Fregat "Rainka Blanca" seed with Mendez Nunsey, in the Bay of Arauko, the Wheel steamer "Package de Maule" (450 BD). The Spaniards are largely lucky: a steamer went to Montevideo and had 126 people on board for the recruitment of teams "Waskar" and "Independence".

In turn, on March 25, Peruvian Corvette "America" \u200b\u200band "Union" came out to Magellan's strait to intercept the Spanish frigate "Almans" (3980 tons), sent to strengthen the Squadger of Mendez Nunies. The raid was unsuccessful: at the very end of April, "Almans" smashed unhindered in Pacific Ocean.

Peruvian Corvette "America", crashed during the tsunami in 1868.
history.navy.mil.

The northern part of Chile and the entire coast of Peru and Bolivia were open to the actions of the Spanish fleet, however, it turned out that he was powerless against the shore: several attempts to fire the Chilean troops did not give any results. Then Mendez Nunies decided to extreme step - to attack the largest Chilean port of Valparaiso.

Understanding that Valparaiso is impossible to protect, Chileans declared him open city. Among other things, it implied duty-free trade, and therefore it was beneficial to the main trading partners of Chile - England and the United States. This allowed the Chileans to hope that the great powers would protect the city from the Spaniards.

By the end of March 1866, Valparaiso gathered the whole Spanish squadron: Numancia armadios, Wooden steam frigates "Rhine Blanca", "Villa de Madrid", "Berenguela" and "Resolision", as well as the Corvette "Vestore", two transports and several Small trophy ships. At this time, two neutral squadters were held in Valparaiso and next to him: English under the command of Denmen counter-admiral (two frigates and gunners) and American under the command of Capten John Rogers (Vanderbilt frigate, two-born monitor "Monadnok" and four Corweta).

Cadephen Rogers demanded from Mendez Nunes to refuse to attack Valparaiso, to which Spanish Admiral proudly replied:

"I will be forced to attack American ships, and even if I have one ship, I will continue to bombard. I serve Spain and the queen and prefer to keep the honor without ships than ships without honor. "

Bombardment Valparaiso squadron Mendez-Nunies. Picture of the English artist William Gibbons, around 1870

As a result, the Americans and the British refused to defend the city, and on March 31, 1866 at 9 o'clock in the morning the Spanish squadron began bombarded. The shelling lasted three hours, "Rhine Blanca", "Villa de Madrid", "Resolision" and "Vensenedor" participated in it. Apparently, Mendez Nunenes sought to save the guests on the most severe ship - the battleship "Numania". The Spaniards were released from 2000 to 3,000 bombs, and observers noted that the shooting accuracy was very low, and some shells fell quite close to the ships that released them.

Fires broke out in the city, the building of the customs and some of the warehouses with goods in the port burned. The total damage was estimated at 2 million pounds sterling, according to other data - at $ 14,733,700 or 14 million pesos. However, there were almost no human victims, since the residents left their homes in advance.

The shelling Valparaiso did not have the expected effect and did not lead to the end of the war. British merchants suffered the main damage from him, which led to the worsening relations of Spain with England. At the same time, the Spaniards were convinced that the sea force, not supported by the land, could not win the war. In addition, Mendez Nunies approached the end gunpowder and shells. The more the Spanish ships shot, the more foggy the perspectives of the Pacific squadron were becoming.

To be continued…

Literature:

1. History of the XIX century. Ed. Lavissa and Rambo. M.: Socsekgiz, 1939
2. H. Wilson. Battleship in battle. M.: Israel, Eksmo, 2003
3. Jack Greene, Alessandro Massignani. IronCLADS AT WAR: The Origin and Development of the Armored Warship, 1854-1891. Pensilvania: Combined Publishing, 1998
4. Pedro de novo y colson. Historia de la Guerra de España en El Pacífico. Madrid: Imprenta de Fortaet, 1882
5. B. Vikuna Mackenna. Historia De La Guerra Se Chilie Con Espana (1863-1866). Santiago 1883.
6. Fabian Novak Talavera. Las Relaciones Entre Perú Y España (1821-2000). Lima, Perú: Fondo Editorial De La Universidad Católica Del Perú, 2001
7. http://liberea.gerodot.ru/neoglot/chinvoy.htm.

Plan
Introduction
1 prehistory and reasons
1.1 Peruvian commitments
1.2 Strengthening Spain

2 "Scientific Expedition"
3 Talambos incident
4 Capture Chincha Islands
5 reaction to Peru
6 Uprising in Arequice and Ponder Dictatorship
7 Entry into War Chile
8 Joint Military Actions
9 The consequences of war
10 The composition of combat fleets of the parties
11 Sources

First Pacific War

Introduction

The first Pacific War (Span. PRIMERA GUERRA DEL PACIFICO) - armed conflictIn which Spain fought with Peru and Chile, who later joined Bolivia and Ecuador. The conflict began with the seizure of the Spanish escade of Chincha Islands on April 14, 1864 and ended with the signing of a peace treaty in Lima on June 12, 1883, although active hostilities ceased much earlier in the middle of 1866. The war has become the last attempt by Spain to restore its colonial empire in South America, lost in 1824.

In Spanish, the conflict is also known as the Spanish-South American War (Guerra Hispano-Sudamericana). In Peru and Chile, this war is called simply war with Spain (Guerra Contra España); In Spain, she is more famous as the Pacific War (Guerra del Pacífico) or the first Pacific War - in this case, the second Pacific is considered to be the war against Peru and Bolivia in 1879-1883.

In English sources, this war is referred to by the name of the islands, the seizure of which served as it started - Chincha Islands War.

1. Prehistory and Causes

1.1. Peruvian obligations

The conflict had both hidden, and obvious causes. Hidden reasons include the hopes of certain political circles of Spain on the return of lost control over the former colonies in South America; Spain's desire to take possession of Guano's rich deposits on the Peruvian Islands; The desire to force the Peru to settle on the debts remaining from colonial times; Peruvian political conjuncture of those years, pushing the government of Peru to active and not always deliberate actions in the international arena.

Expert reasons include the absence of progress in relations between the two countries - Spain did not recognize the independence of Peru and did not support diplomatic relations with him. The adequacy of the parties in the dignity and honor of both personal and national people also played their role. the tax policy of European powers in relation to Latin American states; An amazing survivability of feelings of rejection and hostility generated by the war for independence.

A few attempts were made to establish bilateral relations. The most sensitive always remained the question of the adequate compensation for Spain from Peru for the consequences of the war of independence and the expropriation and confiscation after it. The question arose in connection with the "Ayakucho's capitulation", the document signed by Peru and Spain at the end of the war of independence. In the "surrender", Peru acknowledged his duty to Spain, which arose as a result of the capture of the History of the Spanish treasury on the territory of Peru. These obligations were reaffirmed in August 1831 and in September 1853; For their recognition, Peruvian holders of Spanish securities and Peruvians, who lived in Spain appeared.

The relationship was also complicated by the incident that occurred during the Peruano-Ecuadorian war (1858-1860), during which the Peruvian fleet seized the Spanish trade ship. The ship was not returned to Spain, despite its protests.

1.2. Strengthening Spain

Years of the Board of the Spanish Queen Isabella II (1833-1863) were one of the most interesting and rich periods in the history of Spain. When Isabella rushed to the throne, Spain was only a weak shadow of the mighty world power of the past. The mighty first Spanish fleet now consisted of only three linear ships, built in the XVIII century, and several frigates, which did not have any comparison with Armada of 177 ships, which had Spain in 1790.

Isabella tried to restore the military prestige of the country, lost after the Trafalgar battle. In the development of the fleet there were enormous money, and by the end of the 1850s, Spain had fourth in the size of a military fleet in a world consisting of modern warships. It consisted of six armored frigates, eleven first-class frigates, twelve steam corvesters and dozens of smaller ships. In Spanish history, it was infrequently issued periods of so convincing marine power.

Despite the presence of serious internal problems, Spain again became a colonial power. Relying on his inspiring fleet respect, by 1860 she took part in several military campaigns worldwide. During the period of staying in power, the Cabinet Leopoldo O'Donnel, Spain led the war with Morocco (Tetuan War), participated in conflicts in Indochita, Mexico and the Dominican Republic (which occupied in 1861-1865). Spain also did not leave intentions to return their own impact in their former possessions in South America.

2. "Scientific Expedition"

In August 1862, a squadron of Spanish warships went from Cadiz to America. According to official statements, the expedition should have contributed to the rapprochement of Spain with Latin American states, as well as produce various scientific research In the Pacific, in connection with which this enterprise was officially called the "Spanish Scientific Expedition". The squadron consisted of the "Reolyon" ships. Resolución., "Demanding"), "Triumph" (Span. TriUmfo.) and "Vanenedor" (Span. Vencedora, "Victorious"), in the Gulf of La Plata, Kovadong joined them (Span. Covadonga.). He commanded the expedition counter-admiral Luis Hernandez Pinson, a direct descendant of one of the Pinson brothers who participated in the navigation of Columbus.

Pinson also received an order to ensure support for the actions of Spanish diplomatic representatives. He was stated that the recognition by the Government of the independence of Latin American states means also the need to protect the interests of Spanish subjects in these states. Spanish public opinion believed to Peru a hostile state, and diplomatic representatives supported by the "scientific expedition" were to act resolutely with respect to any abuses in relation to the citizens of the Queen.

The expedition visited Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Valparaiso and on July 10, 1863 arrived in Cagliao. The squadron was met friendly and stayed in Callao for two weeks, but the government of Peru refused to conduct any official negotiations. July 26, the expedition went on to the north.

3. Talambo incident

On August 4, 1863, a tragic incident occurred at Asienda Tamlabo in the province of Lambayek in the north of Peru - one Spanish subjects died between Spanish immigrants and local residents, and four were injured.

When Izvestia about the incident reached Madrid, the Spanish squadron interrupted his north to north and returned to Callao on December 13, 1863. The Peruvian government again refused to contact Pinson, and the ships went to Valparaiso.

In Valparaiso, the squadron took on board Eusebio Salazara-I-Masareno, who was appointed Spanish Cabinet with a special envoy to investigate events on Asienda Talambos. He received instructions to seek the peaceful settlement of the incident. In the event that it is not accepted by the Government of Peru, he should have submitted an ultimatum and expect his adoption within thirty hours; If the ultimatum remained unanswered, he had the authority to apply military power.

Arriving in Cagliao on March 18, 1864, he asked the audience at the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ribeiro to give credentials. The documents said that Salazar-I-Masarendo had the rank of the Resident Messenger in Bolivia and the special extraordinary authorized Spain in Peru (Span. Ministro Residente En Bolivia Y Comisario Especial Extraordinario de España EN El Perú), Titles, ascending to colonial times. In response, the Minister stated that the rank of "Commissioner" does not comply with the standards adopted in international diplomacy. This Salazar-I-Masareno responded with a lengthy memorandum, weathered in extremely sharp colors. Among other things, he warned that if the government does not accept him, he would resort to repressions in response to any acts of violence against the Spanish subject. In turn, the government published a manifesto, in which he expressed his point of view on the incident and confirmed his intention to seek peaceful conflict resolution.

4. Capture Chincha Islands

On April 14, 1864, without submitting ultimatum, as required by the instructions received by Salazar-I-Masano, the Spanish squadron left Reid Callao and landed the landing on the Islands of Chincha. The islands represented a huge value for Peru - the export duties at the Guano mined on Islands amounted to more than 60% of the country's state budget revenues. Peruvian workers were expelled from the island that are on the raid of the court seized, and the Spanish flag was raised over the islands.

President Peru, General José Antonio Penest, was forced to join careful negotiations with the Spaniards; The newspapers of those years criticized him for indecision, calling "modern ataalp". However, at that time, the Peruvian Fleet was in a deplorable state - in its composition there were only the Amasions and Schuna "Tumbes-I-Loa". They could not provide the Spanish squadron of serious resistance. Therefore, wanting to win the time, Penese sent to Europe a colonel Francisco Bologna Cervantes to purchase ships and weapons. The result of this trip was the purchase of "Union" ships. Unión., "Union"), "America", "Waskar" (Span. Huáscar) And "Independence" (Span. Independencia., "Independence"); True, the last two arrived in the Pacific Ocean after the end of hostilities.

The negotiations started by the peashed. In the meantime, the Spanish group was strengthened by the Queen Blanca ships. Reina Blanca.), "Berengel" (Span. Berenguela), Villa de Madrid (Span. Villa de Madrid) And the battleship "Numania" (Span. Numancia.). At the head of the squadron, the Vice Admiral José Manuel Parech, the former Marine Minister of Spain, arrived with reinforcement from Spain.

Today, Bolivia is an intocontinental state. In the XIX century, she had access to the sea - the coast of 400 km long with seven ports. She lost him as a result of the conflict, known as the second Pacific, or Selitic, War.

Back in the 1860s, Guano and Selitras reserves, mined in the Peruvian Department of Tarapak and at the Bolivian territory of the Atakam Desert, caused a large hidden envy of Chile's Government, who did not have owned the large number of equally significant deposits. As Guano's reserves are exhausted, the main export product and the most important source of income for Peru becomes the Selitra. Bolivia, who did not have the resources for self-development of deposits, allowed the mining of the Selitra of Chilean entrepreneurs who operated with the support of English capital. The incomplete territories of Atakama were actively settled by Chileans. The tensions of the relationship between Bolivia and Chile added the uncertainty of the boundaries between the two states. The Government of Bolivia sought to sign treaties on the state border with Chile, customs gathering for the extraction of Chileans Selitras in Atakam, and at the same time - to establish allied relations with Peru, who also faced the Chilean Expansion in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Selitra deposit in the Tarapak Department. As a result, in February 1873, a secret defensive agreement was signed between Peru and Bolivia. The Peruvian side has provided free activities for their entrepreneurs at the Bolivian territory of Atakama, and also secured the Selitra deposit in the Tarapak Department. And in 1874 the Chilean-Bolivian border agreement was signed.

According to this document, the new border was held through the 24th parallels of southern latitude. At the same time, in the zone between the 23rd and 24th parallel, Chilean entrepreneurs could freely extract Selitra, but the export duties collected Bolivia. In addition, the Chileans were able to import foods without collecting duty to the territory of Bolivia, as well as equipment and fixtures necessary for the extraction of Selitras.

Despite the signed contracts, the relations between the countries remained uneasy. In 1875, the Peruvian government began nationalizing the saltryators, which caused indignation among Chilean and English entrepreneurs. Peru followed Bolivia, who announced Selitra national heritage and introduced additional export tax in February 1878. In such a situation, Chilean entrepreneurs appealed for help from the government of their country.

Start of fighting

For about a year, the situation continued to heat up. Chile's government announced denunciation of the border agreement, seeking at a convenient case to master the largest Bolivian port of Antofagast, through which the main volume of the export of Selitra was. In December 1878, the Bolivian government demanded from the Anglo-Chilean company KSPA payment of arrears, and on February 1 of the next year its property arrested. In response, on February 14, 1879, Chile landed his squad in the number of five hundred soldiers under the command of Colonel Sotomayhor in Antofagasta. Without having met resistance from small Bolivian soldiers, Chileans captured the capital of the province of Atakam. Peru expressed his protest what is happening and demanded the withdrawal of Chilean troops from the territory of Bolivia. In response, Chile demanded the denunciation of the contract between the Bolivian side and Peru. The representative of Peru in Chile, promised to consider this question in parliament. But Chileans considered that Peru simply delays the time to prepare for the beginning of hostilities, and on April 5, 1879, the first declared war in Peru.

Army side

Both Peru and Bolivia, and Chile, joined the war completely not prepared. Their army of peacetime was tiny, the management system of the troops - archaic, military medical service, as well as the supply authorities were absent in principle. From a technical point of view, the Chile army looked preferable. In parts and in warehouses, it had more than one and a half hundred field and mountain weapons, mostly modern. The casing-loadable 75-mm and 87-mm truck guns shot at a distance of 4500-4800 meters, weighing 4.3-6.3 kg. The army of Peru had about 120 guns, but old Doro-charging, caliber 55 and 60 mm. Their shooting range was 2500-3800 m, and the weight of the projectile barely exceeded 2 kg. The Bolivian army had a new 60-mm mountain cannon, but there were only six of them.

Fleet Peru had two armored ships ("Waskar" and "Independence"), Chile - also two ("Cochrane" and "Blanco Enkalad"). Chilean ships more modern buildings were better armed and book.

A big role in the success of Chileans played their sudden attack on the allies. The Bolivian coast was captured by the end of March 1879, which allowed the Chilean army to go to the southern borders of Peru.

The situation was aggravated by political stripping and ethnic conflicts inside Bolivia and Peru. In addition, the side of Chile was practically openly stood up England. The British prevented the Peruvians to buy weapons in Europe.

War on the sea

On April 5, 1879, the Chilean squadron under the command of Admiral was reboleed by the blockade and the bombardment of the port ICIK and MOLESDO. But already on May 21, the Peruvian battleship "Wascar" and "Independence" managed to flood the enemy gate "Esmeralda" and thereby remove the blockade. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, the monitor "Wascar", under the command of Captain Grau, for five months held the Chileans from the landing on the shore of Peru.

Peruvians were even able to capture the transport vessel of the opponent "Rimak", on which there was a reinforcement for the Chilean troops occupied by Antofagast.

The Commander of the Chilean Army was set the main task for the destruction of the UASKAR battleship and the landing of troops on the Peruvian coast. But it was possible to fulfill it in autumn. Peruvian battleships "Wascar" and "Union", October 8, 1879, collided at the angamos (between the ports of Mexylones and Antofagasta) with the Chilean squadron, where they were defeated. The UASKAR monitor was captured by the enemy. The Miguel Grau died in battle in battle is considered the National Hero of Peru.

Truck in Pisagua

After neutralizing the Peruvian fleet, Chileans began to implement the second stage of the war. The Peruvian Province of Tarapak became the place of landing in Chilean soldiers. The Government of Chile believed that the capture of the tarapaks with the Selitician deposits located here will force allies to recognize their defeat. In addition, the income from the sale of Selitra would cover a significant part of the military expenses of Chile. On November 2, 1879, a ten-thousand Chilean Corps arrived at the port of Pisagua. Thus, the main forces of the Allies who were south, in Ikike, were sliced \u200b\u200bfrom Peru. The Army of Peruvian General Buendia numbered about 9 thousand people, but she was demoralized by passivity and frank cowardice of the Bolivian allies: their main forces that were in such, did not risk entering into battle. Peruvians in the battle of the city of Tarapak on November 27 managed to discard Chileans, securing the path of waste to the north. However, the entire province of Tarapak with a population of 200 thousand people (1/10 of the population of Peru) and the richest deposits of Selitra was lost for Peru.

Promotion north

Success in such contributed to the further promotion of Chileans. On February 26, 1880, 11 thousand soldiers landed in Punta Wheel, without having met resistance from Peruvians. On March 22, Chilean troops broke the enemy's detachment at Los Angeles, cutting the only direct line of supply between the Lima and the south of Peru (now the delivery of supplies and reinforcements was possible only alarming - through the territory of Bolivia). Peruvian troops in the south of the country were cut into three parts - in Arequipa, Arika and such. On May 26, 1880, the 14-thousand Chilean army defeated allied troops (8.5 thousand Peruvians and 5 thousand Bolivians) at the Takna, and on June 7, Chileans defeated the enemy from Arika. As a result of these fights, Bolivia actually came out of the war, and Peruvians had to retreat. The demonstration of Chile's force on September 10, 1880 landed a detachment of 2200 people in the north of Peru - in Chimbote. There were no Peruvian troops here, and Chileans, gathering "tribute" from local landowners, were unhindered.

Junction

In an effort to apply the final defeat, the Chileans set the goal of mastering the capital of Peru - Lima. On November 19-20, 1880, the landing of almost 9 thousand people knocked out a three-thousandth Peruvian garrison from the Pisco port (320 km from Lima). President Peru Pierol gave an order to prepare two parallel defensive positions to the south of Lima - in Chorrillos and Miraflores. But on January 13, 1881, Peruvian troops were divided into the first position, and two days later - and on the second. January 17, Chileans took the Peruvian capital. Further resistance of Peruvians gained the character of the semi-passisan actions.

In 1883, Chileans have fallen two more tangible defeats by Peruvians, and on July 12, the government of Peru was forced to sign the Tarapak province of Chile. According to the results of the truce concluded between Chile and Bolivia on April 4, 1884 in Valparaiso, the latter was deprived of the Antofagasta region and, accordingly, entering the sea. The peaceful contract signed in 1904 consolidated these agreements, but with one condition - Chile pledged to provide Bolivia "Corridor" to enter the Pacific Ocean. However, this has not yet been done.

Perhaps you will be interested:

The main cause of the Pacific War 1879-1883 Chile against Bolivia with Peru Historians call the desire of the Chilean leadership to get the Selitra deposits located in the Atakama desert on the territory of these states bordering the northern borders of Chile. This war pursued the interests of the Chilean Selitician company, which was the owner of these deposits. Because of this, this war is often called Selitician War.

Another prerequisite for this military conflict was the controversial status of these territories, which after liberation Simon Bolivar Bolivia in 1825 were attached to this country, although the main population in this region was CHILYANS. A couple of dozen years did not worry anyone, but later in 1842, large deposits Guano (bird manure) and Selitras were found in the north of Atakes. After that, the sluggish confrontation began between Chile and Bolivia. The neighboring states were sometimes involved in the conflict, in some periods under the influence of the external threat, the parties signed parity treaties.

The confrontation has reached its climax when in 1878 Daza - the Bolivian dictator, having a secret contract with Peru in the arsenal, in which Peruvians guaranteed a certain proportion of profit from mining Selitra, decided to increase taxes for Chilean mining enterprises. This became a match, burning the fire of war. Moreover, the Government of Peru until the latter tried to return the conflict in the peaceful bed, as the country was not prepared for war. Their attempts were unsuccessful.

Start

Military conflict began with the entry 14 February 1979 military Chilean Ship "Blanco Enkalad" In the Bolivian port Antofagasta. In the same period in the ports of Kobchi and Mexylons, another series of chili flotilla ships were included. After that, a state of emergency was announced in Bolivia on February 27, then trading relations were broken in March, and on April 5, 1879, Chile declared war against Bolivia and Peru. Why the conflict that began in February in the present war today there are two polar points of view. Each party blames the opposite.

War

Due to the fact that the relief on the disputed territory is very complicated, marine battles played a major role in the confrontation. Spring peruvian vessel "Wascar" And he won a loud victory over the powerful Chilean ship "Esmeralda". The second Peruvian vessel "Independence" crowded the Chilean "Music from Cavadong" to the north, but as a result of the chase, wanting to destroy the ship of smaller displacement, the village stranded and sank. The result of these marine battles was the removal of the blockade from the city-port ICIK. Captain "Waschair" Grau in the same period was able to still seize the steamer "Rimak" (06.23.1879), where the Chilean Cavalry was on board. This case was the reason for the change of the commander-in-chief of the Chilean army. Williams's resigned replaced Riveros. It was under his beginning in October 1879, the second main ship of Peru was captured - "Wascar", which put an end to the sea of \u200b\u200bmarine battles.

At the end of 1879 began battles and on land. As a result of the victories of the Chilean Army, the province of Arica, Tarapak, china moved in the pan. Even though the Peruvian troops defeated next to Tarapaka in the fall of 1879. One of the largest battles is the fight next to the panna (Peru), 10 thousand soldiers on the part of Bolivia and Peru and 15 thousand on the part of Chile participated in MAE 1880. Due to the slight advantage in the firewood, Chilean troops defeated. The winners lost 2 thousand soldiers of the dead and 500 wounded, the opposite side of 2800 dead, 2500 were captured or injured. After this battle, Bolivia came out of the war.

During the war, because of the robberies and looting, both on the part of the Chilean army and their troops in Peru, Pierol's dictator was lowered, his place was taken by a civilian government, which in the end also broke up on regional authorities. Miguel Iglesias became the leader of Peru, who eventually could consolidate the country and achieve a peace treaty with Chile represented by the head of the occupied territories of Patricio Lynch. It was signed on October 20, 1883 near Lima in Ancona. Throughout the war in the occupied territories, partisan detachments were actively operating.

Outcome

The result of the war was the death of 14 to 23 thousand people and the transition of the province of Tarapak and Arik to Chile. The province of Takna after some time returned back to Peru. The deposit, although they moved completely to Chile, but after some time they moved away to the British at the expense of payments issued during the military confrontation period. In addition, the war gave each of his parties national Hero. For Peru They became Grau, and for Chile - Prat.