The War of the Pacific is a…

The War of the Pacific is a turning point in Bolivian history.

Bolivian politicians had been able to rally Bolivians by blaming the war on Chilean aggression.

Bolivian writers are convinced that Chile's victory will help Bolivia to overcome its backwardness because the defeat has strengthened the "national soul". (Even today, Bolivia has not relinquished the hope of regaining an outlet to the Pacific Ocean.)

After the war, a vigorous debate among civilian elites spawns the development of new political parties.

Mining entrepreneurs, who have become the most important economic group in the country because of increasing production, create the Conservative Party (Partido Conservador).

Conservatives favor reaching a quick peace settlement with Chile that will include indemnification for lost territories and enable Bolivia to construct a railroad for mining exports.

The Liberal Party (Partido Liberal) denounces the pacifism of the Conservatives.

It also resents the economic dependence of the mining sector on Chilean and British capital and hopes to attract United States investment.

Despite these differences, both parties are primarily interested in political and economic modernization, and their ideological outlooks are similar.

Civilian politicians reorganize, re-equip, and professionalize the discredited armed forces and try to subject them to civilian control.

Still, both Conservatives and Liberals initially support military candidates for the presidency.

The governments in power from 1880 to 1920—elected by a small, literate, and Spanish-speaking electorate—will bring Bolivia its first relative political stability and prosperity.

The Conservatives have ruled Bolivia from 1880, and will do so until 899.

General Campero completes his legal term in office and presided over free elections in 1884 that bring to power Gregorio Pacheco Leyes (1884-88), one of Bolivia's most important mine owners.