The war of Chaco which is held 1932 with 1935 is a war between the Bolivia and the Paraguay. The two countries then want the control of the area of the Chaco Boréal in South America in which one would have found oil (what was false).
History
Several frontier skirmishes are held during the years 1920. Bolivia argues by saying that this area belongs to the Spanish province and that she inherited it. But during this time, Paraguay already started to cultivate the Maté in the area of Chaco Boréal and becomes about it the largest producer in the world. The war bursts in June 1932 when the Bolivian army, according to the orders of President Daniel Salamanca Urey, attacks a Paraguayan garrison with Vanguardia.Initially, Bolivia, having a more important and better trained army, is able to be essential. But the soldiers are not accustomed to a hot and dry climate. Moreover, the Paraguayans having a better knowledge of the ground, they take again the control of the area. Paraguay already conquered the major part of the area when the November 27th 1934, the Bolivian generals stop the president whereas it is with Villamontes, they replace it by the vice-president Jose Luis Tejada Sorzano. A cease-fire is negotiated the June 12th 1935. A little later in 1938, a treaty is signed in Argentine, giving to Paraguay the three quarters of the area and the quarter remaining in Bolivia. A few years later, it will be noted that there is no oil resource in the area Chaco Boréal.
The war is a disaster for the two countries. In addition to the 100.000 war victims, one estimates that there were very as many deaths, even more, after the war because of the diseases like the Malaria. This war brought the two countries in an economic pit and passes to be one of the absurdest wars of the history.
Philatelic propaganda
The two States used their postage stamps to mark their claim on boreal Chaco.From 1924 to 1929, Paraguay emits two series representing a chart of the country including/understanding Chaco. The stamps of 1924 do not even include/understand a border with Bolivia. From 1932 to 1936, a stamp of a peso and half are taken again several colors and represent the “ Chaco Paraguayo ”.
On its side, a chart of Bolivia emphasizing the “ Chaco Boliviano ” appears on stamps in three series emitted in 1928,1931 and 1935.
Inspiration
Hergé publishes in 1935 the album the broken Ear of the adventures of Tintin, which refers to a war between two small South American nations for a presumedly oil-bearing territory, each one supported by an oil company different and calling upon the same merchant from weapons.
See too
Sources
- For the part “philatelic Propaganda”: Catalog of postage stamps , volume 3, Overseas , ED. Yvert and Tellier, 1961; pages 140-142 and 146 for Bolivia; pages 1094-1096 for Paraguay.