Definition of Triple Alliance War

Between 1864 and 1870 the basin of the Río de la Plata became the scene of a war in which four nations intervened: Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. That conflict It is known as the War of the Triple Alliance or also as the Paraguayan War. Two sides fought: troops from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay against the Paraguayan army.

On the other hand, Great Britain had a role singular in the development of the contest, since at that time it was a nation ally of the Empire of Brazil and the Argentine Republic.

Some historians have referred to this conflict as "the genocide against Paraguay."

Since 1850 the Paraguayan government had implemented a series of measures to modernize the country: construction of primary schools, the creation of railways and a boost from the different industrial and agricultural

As a consequence of these policies, the country was self-sufficient and its head, Marshal Francisco Solano, did not want to maintain economic relations with the great European powers.

At that time, the Paraguayan nation was the only one in South America without external debt. However, due to its geographical location it depended on the navigable rivers close to its territory. These waterways belonged to neighboring countries, whose rulers viewed the boom with concern. of the Paraguayan nation and for this reason they secretly signed a pact against it, the Treaty of the Triple Alliance.

At the same time, the British wanted to open new markets in South America to source raw materials at a low price. The War of the Triple Alliance had two main motivations: to weaken the absolutist regime of Francisco Solano and to secure a more prosperous region for the International Trade.

A complex system of alliances and interests

By 1863 Uruguay was governed by the White Party, an ally of Paraguay. The governments of Brazil and Argentina supported the Colorado Party in a coup against the government legitimate. The whites asked their Paraguayan allies for help and they declared war on the Empire of Brazil.

To reach the Brazilian territory the Paraguayan troops had to cross the territory of Argentina, but the Argentine government opposed it and, on the contrary, did support Brazil to attack Paraguay.

As a consequence of this decision, Paraguay also declared war on Argentina. In this context, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina reached an agreement to defeat Paraguay. According to the official sources that signed the pact, the Triple Alliance had as its purpose the freedom of Commerce and the overthrow of the Paraguayan dictator.

One of the bloodiest battles in the history of South America was fought in Paraguayan territory

Initially the Paraguayan troops were quickly expelled from the territories they had occupied. However, according to a clause of the Treaty, the allied troops had to continue the fight until they achieved the overthrow of Francisco Solano.

The allied armies entered the territory of Paraguay, but they encountered multiple natural obstacles. In 1866 the bloodiest battle was fought, the Battle of Tuyuti.

The Paraguayan forces fought against the allies and although the allied army won, both sides had thousands of casualties. The Battle of Tuyuti was the beginning of the end of the War of the Triple Alliance.

It is not strange that some historians speak of a premeditated genocide against Paraguay

Paraguay's military defeat had dramatic consequences. Thus, it is estimated that 350,000 people died, approximately two-thirds of the total of the population. From a territorial point of view, Argentina and Brazil annexed more than 150,000 square kilometers of the defeated nation.

From an economic point of view, Paraguay had to face the debts contracted to finance the war and due to this a stage of political tutelage of the great powers began foreign.

Photo: Fotolia - harvepino

Themes in War of the Triple Alliance