Everything Everywhere Daily The Paraguayan War (Encore)
Nov 24, 2025
Delve into the shocking realities of one of the bloodiest conflicts in Latin America. Discover why the Paraguayan War is often overlooked, despite its devastating impact. Explore the power struggles that turned Uruguay into a battleground and the ambitions of Paraguay's authoritarian leaders. Key naval battles and guerrilla tactics shaped the conflict, culminating in staggering human costs and territorial losses. The war not only reshaped Paraguay but also set the stage for Brazil's rise as a regional power. Buckle up for a gripping historical ride!
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Colonial Maps Seeded Regional Conflict
- Colonial border claims made far from South America created overlapping national claims after independence.
- These unclear boundaries set the stage for persistent regional conflict in the Rio de la Plata basin.
Authoritarian Isolation Created Military Imbalance
- Paraguay combined extreme authoritarian rule with isolationist economics under successive dictators.
- That produced a large conscript army but weak logistics, training, and modern weapons.
Paraguay Fielded A Huge Army For Its Size
- At the war's start Paraguay's population was roughly 450,000 while neighbors totaled about 11 million.
- Paraguay still fielded between 70,000 and 100,000 men, a huge army relative to its population.