Western Hemisphere 153
Narrative: This dispute describes the Chincha Islands War between Spain and Peru.
By the 1860s, Queen Isabel of Spain had greatly expanded Spain’s military prowess,
especially its navy. Prompted by French intervention in Mexico at the time, Isabel
opted to flex Spain’s muscle in the Americas once more and focused on Peru. Unlike
Chile, which the Spanish navy visited at the time on a goodwill mission, Spain never
recognized Peru’s independence.
Further, it was upset enough with Peru’s treatment of Spanish emigres, mostly
Basques, to the country and was willing to make a diplomatic issue of it. On April
14, 1864, a Spanish naval squadron in the Pacific seized the lightly guarded Chincha
Islands off the coast of Peru. This was done as a reaction to a recent quarrel between
Spanish emigres and Peruvian villagers that left one Basque dead. This caused great
alarm among the other South American states, who assured Peru of their support
should hostilities break out. While Madrid notified Peru that this was an unofficial
action by the commander on site, Madrid nevertheless opted to strengthen the naval
presence in the area. However, an accidental fire destroyed one of the important
Spanish garrisons off the coast of Peru. Soon afterward, Spain opted to negotiate. The
Vivanco-Pareja Treaty followed.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 5, 1865.
MID#1482
Started in February 1865. See the narrative in the 155 Chile/230 Spain dyad dispute
list.
135 Peru/255 Germany
MID#3507
Dispute Number: 3507
Date(s): February 12, 1945
Participants: 135 Peru/255 Germany, 740 Japan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Unclear)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Peru declared war on Germany and Japan.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 12, 1945. Outcome changed from
Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
135 Peru/740 Japan
MID#3507
Started in February 1945. See the narrative in the 135 Peru/255 Germany dyad dispute
list.