Informative dynamics, precariousness and political propaganda in times of war. The role of the press in the consolidation of Chile's victory against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836-1839)

Abstract

Chile’s war against the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation was a conflict that developed between these countries during the years 1836 and 1839. Analyzed mainly from the military and political point of view, the studies that has been carried out so far has not given greater attention to the role that the press for the consolidation of the Chilean victory. The review of the National Archive of Peru and the newspapers of the time highlight the importance that the Chilean and Peruvian authorities attributed to the press in validating the intervention with the population. Along with this, in this article analyzes and recreates the information dynamics of the time, the campaign against the Confederation and Andres Santa Cruz and the economic difficulties of the new Peruvian government in keeping the population informed.