Baquedano - Glory in the Pacific

"The public is surprised that doctors and teachers are inclined to extremism; but they forget that the former and the latter are the ones who are closest to misery, without seeing a real social sacrifice to remedy it" - October 19, 1934

Manuel Baquedano y Martínez was born in Santiago on February 1, 1823, into an aristocratic family with a military tradition. Son of José de la Cruz Baquedano and María Martínez, his destiny was marked from a young age by the influence of his lineage and the political and social context of the time. From an early age, he leaned toward a military career, following in the footsteps of his father, who had also been a prominent soldier.

At the age of 15, he entered the Bernardo O'Higgins Military Institute, where he laid the foundations for his training, both academically and strategically. In 1841, at just 18 years old, he graduated as a lieutenant, beginning his career in the Chilean Army in a period of internal political instability, marked by power struggles and conflicts with neighboring countries. In the early years of his career, Baquedano participated in various military campaigns, standing out for his leadership capacity and his skills as a strategist. In 1846, he was part of the Campaign against Peru, which sought to consolidate Chile's sovereignty in the south of the country. These first confrontations positioned him as a promising officer, quickly rising through the ranks of the Army. At the end of the 1850s, he joined the fight against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, a key conflict in defining Chile's relations with its northern neighbors.

Baquedano gained a growing reputation for his discipline, his bravery on the battlefield and his ability to make quick decisions under pressure. In 1865, during the War against Spain, he also played a crucial role in the defense of the country, facing an external threat that forced Chile to unite forces to protect its sovereignty. However, it was during the War of the Pacific, which began in 1879, that his name would achieve greater notoriety.

In the context of the War of the Pacific, which pitted Chile against Peru and Bolivia for control of territories rich in natural resources, Baquedano was appointed commander of the Chilean Army. Under his leadership, Chilean troops achieved important victories, such as at the Battle of Chorrillos and the Battle of Miraflores, where his tactical ability and bravery allowed him to earn respect both inside and outside Chile. The Battle of Miraflores, in particular, consolidated his status as one of the great national heroes. After the signing of the Treaty of Ancón in 1883, which ended the conflict, Baquedano returned triumphantly to Chile, where he was received as a hero. He was promoted to general in chief of the Army and became a central figure in Chilean politics.

After the war, Baquedano entered active politics. He was elected senator for the Valparaíso Region in 1882 and, later, in 1886, he assumed the post of Minister of War during the government of José Manuel Balmaceda. During this period, Baquedano showed himself to be a staunch defender of the republican order and of the government's policies, particularly in matters of defence and national security. Despite being considered a war hero, his conservative positions and his loyalty to Balmaceda brought him into conflict with other political sectors in the country.

The political crisis of 1891, which culminated in the civil war, deeply affected Baquedano's career. Although he was loyal to Balmaceda during the conflict, his involvement in the struggle for the stability of the republican government would distance him from the circles of power. After the end of the civil war, Baquedano retired from active political life, devoting himself to his private interests and family.

Manuel Baquedano died on September 28, 1897 at the age of 74, in Santiago. Although he spent his last years away from politics, his legacy as one of the most important military men in the history of Chile lives on.