The Chaco War

1. Abstract

The Chaco War (1932-1935) was the result of a territory dispute between Bolivia and Paraguay. Both landlocked countries sought an expansion of territory in an effort to gain better access to the River Paraguay. This river runs through a stretch of territory between Bolivia and Paraguay known as the Chaco Boreal. In 1932, Bolivia attempted to break out of its landlocked situation and gain access to the Atlantic ocean through capture of the River Paraguay; athwart that route lay the Chaco Boreal, which the Bolivians thought had large oil preserves. Paraguay, in a move instigated by national unity, heavily armed their borders and fought viciously to defend itself against Bolivia's advances. The resultant war was disastrous for both sides: Bolivia and Paraguay lost more than 100,000 soldiers. In 1935, Paraguay would eventually claim victory over Bolivia, thus firmly establishing the Chaco Boreal as a part of Paraguay.

2. Description

The Chaco Boreal is a region of land occupying approximately 100,000 square miles in Northwestern Paraguay, Southeastern Bolivia, and Northern Argentina. The land is divided into two regions: to the West of the River Paraguay, the land is flat and marked by scrub, woodlands and forests; to the East of the River Paraguay, savanna grass, brush, and forests are mostly found with grasslands suitable for raising cattle. At the time of the Chaco War, neither Paraguay nor Bolivia actively attempted to colonize this region, due in large part to its isolation and lack of potable water. A small number of Guarani Indians settled in the region, establishing the largest town, Mayor Pablo Lagerenza. Agriculture was the main source of subsistence for these Indians, as well as farming of the quebracho tree, sold for its wood and minerals.

Hostile incidents between Bolivia and Paraguay began in the late 1920's over the Chaco Boreal. Since both countries are landlocked, access to a waterway that would lead to the ocean was vital for commerce and economic success. Paraguay, controlling the Chaco region and its waterways, had much better access to the Atlantic Ocean (through Argentina) than did Bolivia to the north. In 1883 in the War of the Pacific, Bolivia lost its entire coastline to Chile, leaving it severely isolated from its neighbors and the world. This factor was compounded with the notion that the Chaco Boreal was supposedly rich in oil reserves. International oil companies, such as Standard Oil from the U.K., already exploring the southern half of Bolivia, actively sought exploration of the Chaco region lying within Paraguay's borders. Bolivian politicians, at the urgence and demand from these international companies,as well as their need for a waterway, declared war in 1932 and ordered the first shots fired at a Paraguayan border town called Vangaurdia.

Bolivia

Bolivian culture and ethnicity are crucial to understanding the Chaco War and its outcome. In the center of Bolivia lies the Altiplano, a valley between the Andean mountain chains lying approximately 13,000 feet above sea level. The harsh climate and severe topography surrounding this region make the center of this country quite inaccessible to other lower lying regions within Bolivia. The most populated regions of the country are located here.The racial make up of Bolivia is predominately Indian, with ancestry dating back to the Incas. After independence, Indians, the most populous ethnic group, were forced into manual labor positions and servitude to caudillos like in many other Latin American nations. A feeling of national unity based upon boundaries and the nation state system was not innate for most Bolivians. At the time of the Chaco War, most Bolivians had little if any interest in the Chaco region, which lied so far from the economic and political heart of the country. For this reason, Bolivians were apathetic to the war in the Chaco region. Nevertheless, political leaders forced many Indians and indigeneous people into military servitude to fight for the Chaco.

Paraguay

Prior to the Chaco War, Paraguay had developed lower lying regions of the Chaco for production of mate, a traditional Paraguayan tea. In the early part of this century,mate was the largest agricultural crop for Paragauy. In addition to Paraguay, Argentina was the main consumer of mate. Thus, the land was used mostly for production purposes and therefore provided large economic benefits to the country.Culturally, Paraguay's development was very different from that of Bolivia, as most Indians and Europeans eventualy mixed ethnically and culturally. Also, the population is less indigeneous than that of Bolivia. Paraguayans did identify with their homeland and felt a sense of national pride and unity at the time of the Chaco War, causing them to defend their homeland. Paraguayans actively sought to serve in the military to prevent Bolivia from occupying their country.

The Chaco War

In the years preceding 1932, minor armed confrontations were frequent along the Bolivian/Paraguayan border. As war became inevitable in the early months of 1932, Paraguay began mounting huge numbers of troops along its border. As Paraguay was attempting to adequately arm itself, a Bolivian force stromed the Paraguayan fort at Vangaurdia on June 15, 1932 and the war began. Both sides had a large stake in the outcome of the war. For Paragauy, control over the River Paraguay and the Chaco region would ensure the continued production of mate and the export of this crop so vital to the Paraguayan economy. For Bolivia, the acquisition of the Chaco region would result in a waterway neccessary for trade and a potential oil exploration site.

The war continued for three years. During this time, Bolivia continued to force Indians into military servitude, while foreign oil companies in the country were accused by Paraguay to be financing the Bolivian army.The Paraguayan president, Eusebio Ayala, entrusted General Jose Felix Estigarribia with military decisions. During this time, thousands of soldiers died in the isolated regions of the Chaco. It was difficult for soldiers to survive the harsh climate of the Chaco region. The forrested areas were especially dense, causing many to loose their lives to unknown diseases and infections. More soldiers eventually died from diseases such as malaria than they did from gun shot wounds. Three years into the conflict, and after 100,000 lives were lost, both Paraguay and Bolivia began to feel the harsh economic strains of the war.The Paraguayan army was eventually able push the Bolivians back until they were almost entirely ejected from the Chaco region.

Outcomes

Through foreign mediation, a cease-fire was attained on June 12, 1935. It was confirmed with a truce signed in 1935 by both countires and subsequently by a signed in 1938, awarding Paraguay permanent control of three-quarters of the Chaco Boreal. Bolivia was left defeated, without the waterway it had hoped to attain. Years later, oil companies explored the Chaco region and were unable to find significant deposites of oil. Today, Guarani Indians remain in the Chaco region, along with significant groups of Menonite settlers. Bolivia and Paraguay are no longer on hostile terms and the Chaco Boreal has continued to be used for agricultural purposes by Paraguay.

3. Duration

The duration of the Chaco War was three years, from 1932 to 1935.

4. Location

The location of the Chaco War was on the north western border of Paraguay and the southeastern border of Bolivia.

5. Actors

Bolivia and Paraguay

6. Type of Environment Problem

The environmental problem at issue in this case was a conflict over the Chaco Boreal - the region of land lying between Bolivia and Paraguay. Resource issues were brought up in the dispute, since both countries sought the territory for control over its natural resources and its use as a waterway to the Atlantic Ocean.

7. Type of Habitat

The Chaco Boreal's land is flat and marked by scrub woodlands to the West of the River Paraguay that include the quebracho tree, a valuable source of minerals. Further east are forests and brush, interspersed with tall course savanna grass.The climate is mostly tropical, ranging from very humid in the summer months and subject to cold southern winds in the winter months.

8. Act and Harm Sites

Most armed conflicts in the Chaco War occurred west of the River Paraguay on the border between Bolivia and Paraguay. No reported acts of retaliation against the land were reported.

9. Type of Conflict: WAR

10. Level of Conflict: HIGH

11. Fatality Level of Dispute (Military and Civilian Fatalities): 3

At the conclusion of the Chaco War, approximately 100,000 soldiers were reported missing or dead.

12. Environment-Conflict Link and Dynamics

13. Level of Strategic Interest: 3

14. Outcome of Dispute

In 1935, a cease fire was declared and Paraguay was awarded three quarters of the Chaco region. A truce was finally signed in 1938 ending the conflict between Bolivia and Paraguay.

15. Related ICE and TED Cases

Peru/Ecuador Conflict
Belize Conflict
Falklands War
Alaska Border Dispute
Soccer War
Tupac Conflict
Guyana Dispute
 

16. Related Websites and Literature

Farcau, Bruce W. The Chaco War. Praeger, London:1996.

Garner, William. The Chaco Dispute: A Study of Prestige Diplomacy. Public Affairs Press, Washington, DC:1966.

Introduction to the Chaco War
This site provides a basic introductory to the Chaco War, highlighting important figures in the dispute.

Book Review of The Chaco War
This site provides a detailed book review of The Chaco War, one of the only English language materials published about this conflict.

Bolivian Indians
The site provides extensive information about the Indians of Bolivia.

Bolivia
Bolivian history is examined in detail.

Paraguay
A brief on-line history of Paraguay and its people.

Bolivia y su historia
Information about the history of Bolivia and its people (in Spanish).

Paraguay y su historia
Information about Paraguay and its history, including the Chaco War (in Spanish).