One of the main reasons why the wars between Chile and Peru and Bolivia are called guano wars or saltpeter wars revolve around guano and saltpeter resources in the Atacama Desert. During the war, Chile dealt with Peru and Bolivia on its own. Both countries have much larger populations than Chile. However, the end result was Chile's victory in the war.

After the defeat of the Peruvian Navy and the Bolivian Navy by the Chilean Navy, the Chilean Army, on the orders of the Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Gamondia, also went on the offensive. Two infantry brigades marched from the northern border into the central Atacama Desert to attack the Bolivian defenders stationed there. However, due to the geography and climate of the desert, as well as the constraints of transportation, it is impossible for Chile to invest too many troops in this area.

The main direction of the Chilean Army's attack is on the important cities on the Pacific coast. After the Chilean Navy gained sea supremacy, it could lightly escort the land forces for landing operations.

On April 8, 1858, a brigade of more than 6,000 Chilean troops escorted by six warships landed near the fortress of Iquique, and the Serbian and Bolivian forces put up desperate resistance, but at that time the Bolivian army was poorly equipped, and the troops were full of Indians in sandals and various costumes, they had no firearms such as rifles, only primitive bows and crossbows, which also made the "South American Pacific" the last war in the world to use bows and crossbows. The Chilean army won and quickly occupied the entire territory of the Peruvian province of Tarapacá.

On 4 June, Chilean troops landed in the Peruvian ports of Ilo and Pacocha and occupied Moquegua. In the desert of Tongguò, he defeated the combined forces of Bolivia and Peru in two battles, Tacna and Arica. So far. Bolivia lost all of its Pacific coastal territories, while the Peruvian Navy was completely destroyed. Even though the Bolivian Army and the Peruvian Army have an absolute superiority in numbers. But old firearms and cold weapons are no match for the Chilean Army, which uses new weapons. So much so that they had an advantage in strength, but they were defeated on the battlefield.

In August 1858, the representatives of the three countries held negotiations, but Peru rejected Chile's terms of peace and agreed only to a temporary truce. For humanitarian reasons, Chile allowed Peru to use transport ships to transport the captured Peruvian wounded soldiers, but the number of wounded soldiers exceeded the capacity of the transport ships, and Chile lent the warship "Roa" to the Peruvian side to transport the wounded. August 18th. When the Roa completed its mission and was returning with a barge loaded with fruit from Peru, the barge suddenly exploded and injured the Roa. The Government of Chile considered this a Peruvian conspiracy and decided to take severe retaliatory measures - the capture of Lima.

On September 2, 1858, the troops of the infantry brigades of the Chilean Army, under the cover of the Chilean Navy, landed directly in Lima, the capital of Peru. At this time, Peru had an army of more than 24,000 people in the country.

Although, the Peruvian army was twice as large as the attacking Chilean Army. However, the Peruvian army, demoralized and poorly equipped, under the offensive of the Chilean army, was simply powerless to resist. In just two days, the Peruvian army abandoned the city and fled. Including Peruvian President Ramón. Senior Peruvian government officials, including Castilian. They fled Lima. The capital of Peru, fell into the hands of the Chilean Army.

The capital was captured by the Chileans, and there was clearly no way to continue the battle. After all. The war is fought at this time, no matter how stupid the Peruvians and Bolivians are. I also know that they are no match for Chile when they join forces. At this time, in addition to summing. There seems to be no other option.

As a result, the Republic of Peru formally submitted a request to Chile for peace talks. The peace talks will take place in Lima, the capital of Peru. Chilean Foreign Minister Perez was on the back of a warship and held talks with Peruvian Foreign Minister Miguel in Lima for three days.

"Your Excellency Miguel, this war has now been completely decided. I don't think Peru will have a chance to win again! Perez smiled. Chile played too well in this war, defeating the two great powers in the north with a small loss. The Navy suffered only a few dozen casualties. The army's casualties were only 2,000. However, they achieved a great victory. The Peruvian and Bolivian navies have been completely wiped out, most of the 200,000 armies of the two countries have been annihilated, and the few remaining have lost the courage to continue fighting. It can be said that the Chilean army and navy have achieved brilliant victories.

"Your Excellency Perez, are you here to humiliate me today?" Miguel's face was very ugly. Being beaten by Chile is a complete shame for them. This time the peace talks are more like praying for peace to the Chileans.

"No, Miguel, I didn't mean to humiliate you! Chile is a peace-loving country, and we also want peace to be restored, but of course, the interests of the Republic of Chile must be guaranteed! Perez said.

"Your Excellency Perez, Peru agreed to the conditions proposed by Chile to jointly form the Atacama Desert Development Company, and the profits obtained will be divided equally between our three countries!" Miguel said. Before, the Chileans proposed this building yì. However, Peru refused to share the profits that were about to be made to the Chileans, so that the Chileans started the war with great ferocity. This is of course very hateful to the Peruvians, but for the sake of their country, they have to grovel to the Chileans. Otherwise, they will pay a much greater price.

"No, no, Miguel. This is a condition that was previously proposed. But now, this condition is no longer suitable for the current situation! Perez said with a smile. Previously, before the war began, Chile did not want to take risks, and if they could share a third of the benefits of the Atacama Desert, they would have been satisfied. But now that Chile has won the war, their appetite is even greater. The Peruvians were very wrong to think that they would be able to fool the Chileans with the conditions they had previously proposed.

"What do you mean, Lord Perez?" Miguel's face turned pale, and he knew that the Chileans were going to open their mouths.

If, in the past, the Chileans had agreed to their demands, they would have lost only a third of their benefits. But now it seems that the Chileans are asking for more.

"If Peru wants an armistice, then the provinces of Tarapacá, Tacna and Arica must be handed over to Chile! In addition, 50 million gold pesos will be compensated for Chile's military spending! Perez said with a smile.

"What?" Miguel was stunned. The province of Tarapacá and the regions of Tacna and Arica are regions of southern Peru. It includes not only the Atacama Desert area occupied by Peru, but also some territories in southern Peru, which is simply a knife to Peru! In addition, Peru is already a poor country, and the war reparations of 50 million gold pesos can directly collapse Peru's finances.

"Your Excellency Perez, Peru will never agree to such conditions! If such conditions are agreed, what is the difference between Peru and the country? Miguel yelled angrily.

"Your Excellency Miguel, if Peru does not agree to our terms, then you will be destroyed now! Chile is not interested in the territory of the rest of Peru, we only want the Atacama Desert and the territory of southern Peru! "Perez is very tough.

In the face of the harsh demands made by Chile, Peru had no choice. After all, if Chile were determined to destroy Peru, they would have no choice.

After three days of bargaining, Peru promised to cede the provinces of Tarapacá, Tacna and Arica to Chile and to repay Chile 30 million gold pesos in war reparations over a period of three years.

As a result of this war, Peru lost not only the entire Atacama Desert, but also the southern territories. In addition, the war reparations of 30 million gold pesos put a heavy burden on Chile. It can be said that Peru has lost a lot in this battle.

Peru and Chile signed a peace treaty, then Bolivia was left. The Chilean Army dispatched five infantry brigades, totaling more than 30,000 troops, to attack Bolivia. In the face of the fierce offensive of the Chilean Army, the poorly equipped Bolivian Army could not resist at all.

After Peru withdrew from the war, Bolivia did not want to fight either. They don't want their capital to be taken by Chile as well, and then they will pay a bigger price.

On October 12, 1858, representatives of Chile and Bolivia met in Sucre to negotiate with Bolivia in the hope of ending the war. Chile, however, has made very demanding demands. The Government of Chile demanded that Bolivia cede to Chile all of its territory between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, in addition to paying Chile 20 million gold pesos in war reparations.

Bolivia expressed its unequivocal opposition to the harsh conditions proposed by Chile. However, after the Bolivian army was once again defeated by the Chilean army, Bolivian President José Murphy was on the front line. Maria chose to compromise. After all, if they don't agree, the Chilean army may cross the Andes and attack the heart of Bolivia, and even the capital Sucre will be captured by the Chileans.

On 15 October, Chile and Bolivia signed a peace treaty, in which Bolivia ceded to Chile the territory between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, leaving Bolivia completely deprived of its coastal territory and becoming a landlocked country.

Chile, on the other hand, not only got the Atacama Desert completely, but also gained a lot of additional territory. Coupled with Chile's formidable military power and already abundant natural resources, a South American hegemon has begun to take shape. (To be continued......)

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