From 1879 to 1883, a war between Peru and Chile engaged in war for the control of nitrate deposits in southern Peru. This war nonetheless helped define the role of lower class Peruvians in national construction. Bonilla believes in the failure of national integration with the peasants. It is important to first study Peru’s situation before the war with Chile in order to understand the context of the events that occurred soon after. The economic and social situation of Peru was in shambles after its separation from Spain. Significant parts of the economy (mines and agriculture) deteriorated. Guano, a product in high demand, was exploited for political purposes. Chilean invasion worsened the situation. Chile’s military victory resulted in forcing Peruvian land
owners to face the Chilean army on their own. General Andrés Cáceres organized a resistance formed of peasant guerrilla bands.
Situations changed with the departure of the Chilean army. The focus became reconstruction and reunification. Cáceres stepped up as a competent politician when he supported the alliance of the lower class (merchants, small landowners, and peasants). In the end, the peasant who worked hard to become citizens was labeled as illiterate, lazy, and incompetent. Yet Bonilla urges the reader not to underestimate the impact of these peasants toward the path of nationalism. Chilean occupation was stopped, Cáceres became president, and Peru remained independent.
Through the confrontation, a strong sense of nationalism was developed. No such nationalism was recognized by the upper-c
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