SECOND MILITARISM OF PERU: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2024

The second militarism Peru was a period of history spanning from 1883 to 1895. At this time the political power of the country was run by warlords.

It begins after the defeat of Peru against Chile in the Pacific War, also called the Guano and Saltpeter War. It culminates in the victory of Nicolás de Piérola in the civil war of 1894.

Miguel Iglesias

The second militarism arises both from the need to rebuild the country and from the absence of political figures who could take power.

The Pacific War generated devastation in Peru, both economically and politically.

During this period, Peru had the following rulers: Miguel Iglesias, Manuel Antonio Arenas (who presided over the Council of Ministers that governed provisionally from 1885 until the 1886 elections), Andrés Avelino Cáceres, Remigio Morales Bermúdez, Justiniano Borgoño and Manuel Cándamo.

Causes of Peru's second militarism

- The self-proclamation of Miguel Iglesias as president of the Republic of Peru in 1882 and his negotiation for the surrender of Peru to Chile in the Pacific War.

- The signing of the Ancón Treaty (Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the Republics of Chile and Peru), with which the departments of Tacna and Arica were handed over to Chile for a period of ten years, after which a plebiscite would be held.

- The absence of political leaders and the economic crisis in Peru.

The 6 rulers of Peru's second militarism

1- Miguel Iglesias

He proclaimed himself president of Peru in 1882 and later created an Assembly to support him in his appointment.

His mandate was supported by the Chilean government and was characterized by seeking the end of the War of the Pacific by signing the Treaty of Ancón.

His presidential term was interrupted by the civil war of 1884.

2- Council of Ministers, chaired by Manuel Antonio Arenas

After Andrés Avelino Cáceres won the civil war of 1884, political power was in charge of the Council of Ministers chaired by Manuel Antonio Arenas.

The function of this council was to call elections. They were finally carried out in 1886 and Cáceres was elected.

3- Andrés Avelino Cáceres

He had two presidential terms: the first from 1886 to 1890, and the second from 1894 to 1895.

First period: 1886-1890

During this presidential term, he sought to rebuild the country and focused on getting Peru out of the economic crisis it was in. To do this, it carried out the following actions:

- Promoted and achieved the signing of the Grace Contract (named after Michael Grace), by which it was established that Peru would hand over the administration of the railways to England in exchange for releasing the country from its debt.

- Eliminated the fiscal ticket. In 1886 in Peru there was a large number of fiscal bills that had no support. Cáceres established that the metallic silver coin be used again, resulting in the total elimination of the fiscal ticket in 1889.

- Established a new form of income for Peru. It created taxes on the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, opium, among others.

- Workshop schools were created.

- The military school reopened.

- Oil exploitation began.

Second period: 1894-1895

In 1894 Andrés Avelino Cáceres is reelected as president of the Republic of Peru, only after having established the necessary conditions to be victorious.

He first agreed to his return to power with Remigio Morales Bermúdez, who was president of Peru; that is, Morales would support him in his re-election.

However, his plans were almost damaged with the unexpected death of Morales, who passes away before the end of his presidential term.

For this reason it was necessary for the first vice president to assume the presidency, but he was not a supporter of Cáceres.

Then, through tricks Cáceres managed to get the second vice president to assume the presidency. It was Justiniano Borgoño, who was loyal to Cáceres.

Borgoño called for elections with Andrés Avelino Cáceres as the only candidate, so his victory was certain but illegitimate.

For this reason, his second presidential term was interrupted by the civil war of 1894.

4- Remigio Morales Bermúdez

He was president from August 10, 1890 until April 1, 1894, the date on which he died.

During his presidency the following events occurred:

- Chile refused to comply with the Ancón Treaty; In other words, she refused to hold a plebiscite to decide whether the departments of Tacna and Arica would remain in her power or would be returned to Peru.

- It was sought to fix the border limits with Ecuador, but no agreement was reached.

5- Justiniano Burgundy

He assumed the presidency in 1894 due to the sudden death of Remigio Morales.

6- Manuel Cándamo

He assumed the provisional presidency after the civil war of 1894.

Civil wars during Peru's second militarism

Civil war of 1884-1885

This civil war was a conflict that arose as a result of the loss of the war against Chile and the signing of the Treaty of Ancón.

In this war the military Andrés Avelino Cáceres fought against the then president of Peru, Miguel Iglesias.

Cáceres disagreed with the decisions Iglesias made regarding the bases for Peru's withdrawal from the Pacific War.

The war ends on December 3, 1885, three days after Cáceres took the city of Lima, when Miguel Iglesias signed his resignation. Power is in the hands of the Council of Ministers chaired by Manuel Antonio Arenas.

Civil war of 1894-1895

The civil war of 1894-1895 was led by Nicolás de Piérola. It arises from the need to leave the military presidents and the Constitutional Party.

The civil conflict begins shortly after Cáceres is reelected. The Peruvian people considered his reelection to be illegitimate and unconstitutional.

The war ends when an agreement is reached between representatives of Cáceres and Piérola, in which the creation of a Governing Board that would have the function of calling elections is established.

Finally, on September 8, 1895, the presidential elections were held and Nicolás de Piérola was the winner.

References

1. Andrés Avelino Cáceres. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
2. Miguel Iglesias. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
3. Manuel Candamo. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
4. Grace Contract. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
5. 1886-1895 The New Militarism. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from globalsecurity.org
6. History of Peru. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org
7. Recover and growth 1883-1930. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from motherearthtravel.com
8. Consequences of the war of the pacific. Retrieved on November 1, 2017, from wikipedia.org