Battle of Iquique (Chile)
The Battle of Iquique, fought on May 21, 1879, was a significant naval conflict between Chile and Peru during the early stages of the War of the Pacific, which lasted from 1879 to 1883. This battle took place in Iquique, a port city in northern Chile that was previously part of Peru until the conflict began. The region was highly valued for its rich nitrate resources, leading to territorial disputes among Chile, Peru, and Bolivia. The tensions escalated when Bolivia revoked a treaty that had exempted Chilean nitrate companies from taxation, prompting Chile to invade and occupy the Bolivian port of Antofagasta in February 1879.
In response, Bolivia declared war on Chile and was joined by Peru due to a secret alliance. The Chilean navy achieved a decisive victory over the Peruvian forces during the battle, capturing Iquique and establishing Chilean dominance in the region. The outcome of the Battle of Iquique is celebrated annually in Chile as a public holiday on May 21. The war continued with ongoing disputes over territory, and by 1884, Bolivia officially withdrew from the conflict, while negotiations concerning territorial claims with Peru continued for decades afterward.
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Battle of Iquique (Chile)
Battle of Iquique (Chile)
The Battle of Iquique was a major naval engagement fought between Chile and Peru at the onset of the War of the Pacific (1879– 83) on May 21, 1879. It resulted in a decisive victory for the Chileans and is now honored as a public holiday every May 21 in Chile.
Iquique, in northern Chile on the Pacific Ocean, is a port city which currently has a population of just under 200,000 people. It was founded in the 1500s and, together with the surrounding province of Tarapaca, was part of Peru until 1879. The entire region is rich in nitrates and was highly coveted by Chile, Peru, and neighboring Bolivia. At the time, Bolivia controlled territories in the region as well but in an 1874 treaty had promised to exempt Chilean nitrate companies from taxation for 25 years. In 1878 Bolivia decided to repudiate the treaty, which led to a Chilean invasion and occupation of the port of Antofagasta in Bolivian territory in February 1879. Bolivia promptly declared war and was joined by Peru pursuant to a secret treaty of alliance. The Chileans then moved against Iquique, crushing the Peruvian navy off the city's shores on May 21 and capturing the city itself.
Chile continued its territorial disputes with Bolivia and Peru, until Bolivia formally abandoned the conflict according to the terms of a peace treaty in 1884. The struggle with Peru included the occupation of the Peruvian capital of Lima from 1881 to 1883 and a dispute over the Peruvian provinces of Tacna and Arica, which dragged on until 1929, when Chile signed a treaty renouncing the territories. This agreement would not be implemented for another 70 years.