Rise of the Sun of May - Part 6: The Unification War  (1871-1872)

Immediately after war is declared, Generals Santos and Balcarce move into Entre Rios. The war to unify Argentina has begun.

As expected, Chile joins a day into the war. We outnumber the Chilean main army but Rosas worries about what they can muster up from reserves.

More bad news- Peruvian President José Balta has been executed as Radical rebels storm the government.

It becomes clear who did this. Rosas calls out the filthy American dogs for using their power to put in place a American-friendly regime.

However, new Peruvian leader Tomás Gutiérrez meets with Rosas to discuss protection for the now weak nation. Rosas agrees, seeing it as a continuation of the previous Peruvian alliances which guaranteed Argentina.

The first battle of the war is a soaring success. Entrerriano reserves rise in Paraná numbering 3,000 but, being fresh and untrained, are easily wiped out by Santos, who only lost 161 men in the battle. This is a good sign for the start of the war!

By May, Chilean troops have crossed the border and have begun capturing Andean provinces.

In July, Rosas realizes that he now has Paraguay at his beck and call (and also realizes that they don't auto join the war). The Paraguayans officially join the war. ~Meanwhile in Europe~, Russia is fighting Tunis for land because why not.

King Roque I shows impressive loyalty to Rosas as Paraguayan troops cross into Entre Rios within weeks of joining the war. Also, Paraguayan reserves are raised. The Chileans continue their conquest in the Andes.

Now reinforced by reserves, the Chileans number 24,000. While our forces plus Paraguay double in number, the Generals still worry about the potential cost of life when possibly fighting in the Andes.

By August 24th, Paraná is captured. Former Governor Justo José de Urquiza is nowhere to be found in the city. Leads point the army to the small northern Entrerriano city of Santo Tomás, and Santos moves in to capture it.

The Bavarians are once again at war but this time the odds are almost certainly stacked against them. The North German Federation seems hell bent on recovering the one province that Lithuania now encompasses.

The Paraguayans successfully capture the largest city in Entre Rios, Corrientes.

On October 1st, Partido Communista is formed. Inspired by the International Workingmen's Association, the group seeks to return power to the working class. Rosas kinda ignores it- he's got a war to win. Speaking of the war, extra Chilean troops have broken through the border further south.

Less than a month after it started, the North German war to regain Lithuania has ended. Rosas hopes to be as successful as this.

Seemingly on a roll of war, the North Germans declare on Schleswig-Holstein next, dragging Austria-Hungary in also. Cool it Germans, don't steal our thunder.

By October 24th, Santo Tomás is captured, and Urquiza with it. Urquiza and his closest supporters are rounded up in the town square and killed by a firing squad led by General Santos. The war with the Entrerrianos is practically over at this point.

Rosas officially announces that Entre Rios has been fully annexed. The former country joins the northern province of Misiones to become the State of Entre Rios.

The war with the Chileans is not over however. Newcoming Chilean President and supporter of Urquiza, Federico Errázuriz Zañartu, will not allow the annexation without a fight. Rosas plans to give him that fight.

Two factories are gained through the annexation, a clothing factory (which was closed) and a second liquor factory. Both factories are immediately subsidized by the Argentine government.

A look at the state of the war so far.

After giving some time to replenish supplies, Generals Santos and Balcarce move in to meet the Chileans on the battlefield.

And with that, the Battle of the Andes begins.

Mechanization researchy science stuff.

The Argentine Senate of 1872 is assembled. Following the previous Bolivian Revolution and the even more recent Peruvian Revolution- both led by Radicals, Rosas reaches the last straw with Anarcho-Liberal groups. For the time being, Partido Radical has been dismissed from the Senate and it's one seat given to the Liberals. The Socialists stand up for the party, reasoning that not only should voices be heard, but silencing them gives even more of a revolutionary risk. Ties are loosely made between the Radicals and the Socialists to stand together in the future.

Back to the battl- oh wait it's devastating, ignore it for now.

Hey, can you believe that a fort was finally finish to protect Buenos Aires? Cool, right?

Okay, okay, okay- you want to know the numbers on the battle. Over 34,000 men total died in the rough mountain terrain. Our 'victory' wasn't very sweet but it got the Chileans in retreat.

The 2nd battle, though on a smaller scale, saw similar results in the ratio of men killed.

The 3rd battle on the coast was much more successful, however.

Meanwhile the Paraguayans kick ass in the south (though we could have used them in the north).

In April, the Peruvians and Bolivians, both now led by Radicals, enter an alliance. This creates a second Triple Alliance involving Argentina, though much looser than the previous and ineffective ABC Bloc.

Battle bloodied and weak, the Argentine forces limp into Santiago for a siege.

The bastard Americans are continuing their ruthless spread of influence over South America. God dammit.

Shocking news days later- a new revolution in Paraguay. Thousands of troops mutiny from the Paraguayan army to join in a reactionary revolt. The rebels call for a return to Paraguayan freedom. Rosas sweats bullets as he realises there aren't enough Argentine men to handle this.

As the war winded down in Santiago and the economy flip flops like an American politician, the reserves are called back and taxes brought back down a bit.

The Paraguayan revolt continues and the Bolivians, somehow not content with the amount of problems they already have, start yet another rebellion.

On October 13th 1872, Santiago is captured by Santos' forces. After being surrounded in the Chilean Congress building, President Zañartu signs a white peace with Rosas. The war is finally over.

Though many men were lost on both sides, thousands gather in Buenos Aires for a celebration- Argentina was now united!

As the bloodied Argentine army returns to Buenos Aires victorious, Admiral Pedernera moves the fleet to Paraná where it can sit much closer to the capital.

We now sit at 20th on the global scale!

After several weeks of debating in the Senate and with Rosas, the Argentine government has come up with an agreement to finalize the unification of Argentina.

Now united under one (very temporary) banner, the Argentine people wait as Rosas will come to a decision of what to do next. Within the coming months, one of the most important decisions in the history of Argentina will be made by Rosas, but for now- Viva la Argentina!