Guerra a muerte facts for kids
The Guerra a muerte (which means War to the Death in English) was a very intense and brutal period of fighting in Chile. It happened between 1819 and 1821, during the Chilean War of Independence. This term was first used by a famous Chilean writer and historian named Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna.
It was called a "war to the death" because there was no mercy shown by either side. Soldiers often fought until one side was completely defeated, with very few prisoners taken.
Contents
What Caused the Guerra a muerte?
After the Chilean patriots (people fighting for independence) had taken control of most cities and ports north of the Biobío River, the royalists (people loyal to the Spanish king) were in trouble. They needed a new plan.
A royalist leader named Vicente Benavides decided to organize a strong resistance. He set up his base in a region called La Frontera, which was south of the Biobío River.
Help from the Mapuche People
Benavides got help from some Mapuche chiefs. The Mapuche are the native people of Chile. This help was super important for the royalists because they had lost control of almost all cities and ports north of Valdivia.
Many Mapuche people valued the agreements they had made with the Spanish government over the years. However, other Mapuche groups didn't really care about either side. They sometimes played both the royalists and the patriots against each other to benefit themselves.
The Pincheira Brothers
The Pincheira brothers were a group who later became known as outlaws. During the Guerra a muerte, they worked with Benavides. They helped defend the mountain areas (the Cordillera) for the royalists.
Effects of the Guerra a muerte
Because of this harsh war, the new government of Chile (which was just starting out as a republic) began to distrust some people.
Distrust of Missionaries
They became suspicious of the Franciscan missionaries in Chillán. These missionaries were seen as representing the old Spanish rule. This distrust led to new missionaries being brought to Chillán in the 1830s.
See also
- In Spanish: Guerra a muerte (Chile) para niños
