War, Militarization and ‘Caudillismo’ in Northern Chile: The Case of Copiapó in the Civil War of 1859

Abstract

The uprising that took place in Copiapó during the Chilean Civil War of 1859 has been broadly analyzed as a revolt led by an elite which was both modern and burgueois. This group was regarded by historians as different from the rest of the traditional social leading class. In this paper we intend to clarify this thesis. By analyzing judicial proceedings, unpublished chronicles and notarial archives, the article shows that the war reinforced the power of the families of mining magnates who have increased their power through the use of clientelistic networks. The social dynamics imposed by the war reinforced the importance of the attached links, the power of the local elite as well as personal loyalties, creating conditions for the emergence of caudillo leadership.