19th_century Peruvian_Army

battle of arica, july 7, 1880.

painting juan lepiani

after war of independence strong position of army , lack of solid political institutions meant every peruvian president until 1872 held military rank. ejército del perú had major role in definition of national borders participating in several wars against neighbor countries. included indecisive conflict against gran colombia (1828–1829), wars of peru-bolivian confederacy (1836–1839), 2 invasions of bolivia (1827–1828 , 1841) , brief occupation of ecuador (1859–1860). starting in 1842, increased state revenues guano exports allowed expansion , modernization of army, consolidation of political power. these improvements important factor in defeat of spanish naval expedition @ battle of callao (1866). however, continuous overspending , growing public debt led chronic fiscal crisis in 1870s severely affected defense budgets. consequent lack of military preparedness combined bad leadership major causes of peru s defeat against chile in war of pacific (1879–1883). reconstruction of army started after war due general lack of funds. major turning point in process arrival in 1896 of french military mission contracted president nicolás de piérola. 1900 peacetime strength of army evaluated @ 6 infantry battalions (nearly 2,000 soldiers), 2 regiments , 4 squadrons , cavalry (between 6 , 7 hundred soldiers), , 1 artillery regiment (just on 500 soldiers) total of 3,075 personnel. military school reportedly operating in chorrillos district of lima , french officers continuing assist in army s reorganization.