Peruvian Civil War of 1867

Peruvian Civil War of 1867
Date 1867 Location Peru Result Constitution of 1860 restored
Belligerents
Government of Peru (Liberals)	Revolutionaries (Conservatives)
Commanders and leaders
Mariano Ignacio Prado	Pedro Diez Canseco José Balta

The Peruvian Civil War of 1867 was the fifth internal conflict in 19th century Peru. It was caused by the adoption of a new constitution to replace the previous one adopted in 1860.

History

Mariano Ignacio Prado had overthrown President Juan Antonio Pezet in 1865, due to his weak response to the Spanish threat. He proclaimed himself Dictator and victoriously confronted the Spanish, along with Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador, in the action of May 2, 1866.

After the war, Prado sought to legitimize his government. Therefore, on July 28, 1866 he issued a decree, calling for elections to elect a President and a Constituent Congress. The elections were held in October 1866, with the candidacy of Prado, who was elected. On February 15, 1867, the Constituent Assembly was installed, with a liberal majority. That same day, Prado renounced his title of Dictator, being named provisional President, until the constitutional President elected the previous year was proclaimed. However, the winner of those elections was Prado himself, making the entire process constitutionally questionable.

On the other hand, the Constituent Congress dedicated itself to drafting a new constitution. This generated great discontent in the population, so Marshal Ramón Castilla decided to return to Peru to defend the constitution of 1860.

The Tarapacá Uprising

While exiled in Chile, Castilla prepared an expedition to restore the empire of the Magna Carta of 1860. The already veteran marshal embarked on the Limeña heading to Peru. He made landfall in Pisagua, where he was informed that Arica had risen up against the dictatorship and that they were waiting for him to lead said movement. On the desert road, in Pampa del Tamarugal, he fell ill and suffered from asthma, soroche attacked him, he had a high fever and suffered immense pain, but even so he continued to lead the troops.

On May 30, 1867, near Tiviliche, in the Tiviliche Valley, the old marshal died, weak and at the head of his troop. His last words were "One more month of life, Lord, and I will make my country happy, just a few more days."

References

• Basadre Grohmann, Jorge: Historia de la República del Perú (1822 - 1933), Tomo 6. Editada por la Empresa Editora El Comercio S. A. Lima, 2005. ISBN 9972-205-68-1 (V.6)
• Chirinos Soto, Enrique: Historia de la República (1821-1930). Tomo I. Lima, AFA Editores Importadores S.A., 1985.
• Vargas Ugarte, Rubén: Historia General del Perú. Noveno Tomo: La República (1844-1879). Segunda Edición. Editor Carlos Milla Batres. Lima, Perú, 1984. Depósito Legal: B. 22436-84 (IX).