Chapter 2. Treaty of Lima and the rising power.
1841 was drawing to a close and it was clear that the war was hopeless for Peru. With her army in shambles and the capitol in enemy hands President Gamarra resigned and Manuel Menéndez resumed control of the nation. He agreed to a full unconditional surrender and Western Coalition met to determine the conditions of peace.
By December the terms of peace were decided and sent to Menéndez for ratification. We he received a copy of the treaty he was shocked by the harsh conditions imposed on Peru. The states of Pastaza and Cajamarca were to be ceded to Brazil, Chile was to acquire Atacama, and they were to return all territory they had acquired from Bolivia in 1839. They were also required to demobilize their army and pay reparations for damage to Ecuador.
Proposed peace conditions
Infuriated, Menéndez declared the ceasefire void and raised an army of 5,000 men to retake Lima. By the time they reached the outskirts of the city they found themselves facing an 8,000 man army supported by 3,000 artillerymen and 1,500 cavalry. Menéndez's soldiers urged him to abandon the attack but he refused, the army would march on Lima as planned. The battle was over shortly. by the end of the day 2,800 peruvian soldiers lay dead.
Realizing the war was completely un-winnable he signed the treaty if Lima on December 17, 1841.
Ratification of the treaty of Lima
The war was a massive boost of prestige for the Brazilian empire. Pedro II declared the day a national holiday and the people flocked to the streets in his honor. The war gave them access to the pacific ocean and the strongest military in Latin America. To some, Brazil was no longer a regional south american power, but a nation with an equal status to the great powers of europe.