Chile Declares War on Peru, Initiating the Pacific War and the Battle of Angamos

On April 5, 1879, Chile declared war on Peru, marking the beginning of the Pacific War. The immediate cause of the conflict stemmed from a tax dispute between Bolivia and Chile, which was complicated by Peru's involvement through the Treaty of Defensive Alliance signed with Bolivia in 1873. However, historians widely agree that the underlying motive for Chile's aggression was its desire to control the lucrative nitrate and guano resources located in southern Peru. The initial phase of the war was characterized by a naval campaign, during which the Peruvian navy successfully defended against Chilean incursions until October 8, 1879. This date is significant as it marks the naval combat of Angamos, where the Chilean fleet, including notable ships such as Cochrane, Blanco Encalada, Loa, and Covadonga, engaged the Peruvian monitor Huáscar. Commanded by Admiral AP Miguel Grau, the Huáscar was ultimately cornered, leading to Grau's death in battle. His heroism during the conflict has since made him a national icon in Peru, symbolizing the valor and sacrifice of the Peruvian navy during this tumultuous period.