The war began over a nitrate taxation dispute between Bolivia and Chile, with Peru being drawn in due to its alliance with Bolivia. But historians have pointed to deeper origins of the war, such as the interest of Chile and Peru in the nitrate business, the long-standing rivalry between Chile and Peru, as well as political and economical disparities between Chile and Peru and Bolivia. On February 14, 1879 Chile's armed forces occupied the Bolivian port city of Antofagasta, when the Bolivian authorities tried to auction the property of a Chilean nitrate company. After this, Bolivia declared a state of war against Chile on 1 March and Chile declared war on Bolivia and Peru on 5 April , against the latter country for its refusal to remain neutral. The following day, Peru responded with the casus foederis.
The war began over a nitrate taxation dispute between Bolivia and Chile, with Peru being drawn in due to its alliance with Bolivia. But historians have pointed to deeper origins of the war, such as the interest of Chile and Peru in the nitrate business, the long-standing rivalry between Chile and Peru, as well as political and economical disparities between Chile and Peru and Bolivia. On February 14, 1879 Chile's armed forces occupied the Bolivian port city of Antofagasta, subsequently war between Bolivia and Chile was declared on March 1, 1879, and between Chile and Peru on April 5, 1879.
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when the Bolivian authorities tried to auction the property of a Chilean nitrate company. After this, Bolivia declared a state of war against Chile on 1 March
subsequently war between Bolivia and Chile was declared on March 1, 1879, and between Chile
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Chile declared war on Bolivia and
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5 April , against the latter country for its refusal to remain neutral. The following day, Peru responded with the casus foederis.
April 5, 1879.