republic · South America

Peru-Bolivian Confederation

1836 CE – 1839 CE · capital Tacna

Andrés de Santa Cruz's union of Peru and Bolivia, which threatened the balance of power in South America and was destroyed by Chile in 1839.

Origins

In 1835 Peru's president Luis José de Orbegoso asked the Bolivian president Andrés de Santa Cruz for help against rebels. Santa Cruz invaded, defeated Agustín Gamarra and Felipe Santiago Salaverry in 1835 and 1836, and divided Peru into the North Peruvian Republic and South Peruvian Republic, which joined the Republic of Bolivia in a confederation.

Rule and society

The Pact of Tacna of 1837 made Santa Cruz Supreme Protector, with broad powers over foreign affairs and the army. He introduced legal codes modelled on Napoleon's and promoted trade. Chile, under the influence of Diego Portales, saw the confederation as a threat, and Chile declared war in December 1836, followed by the Argentine Confederation of Rosas in 1837. Peruvian exiles and many in Lima resented Bolivian dominance.

Decline and legacy

A Chilean army under Manuel Bulnes, joined by Peruvian exiles, defeated Santa Cruz at Yungay on 20 January 1839. The confederation was dissolved, and Santa Cruz went into exile. Peru and Bolivia were never united again, and Chile emerged as the leading power on the Pacific coast.

Lineage

Republic of Bolivia 1825 CE – presentPeru-Bolivian Confederation

Connections (3)

Republic of Peru was part of Peru-Bolivian Confederation1836 CE – 1839 CE
North Peruvian Republic was part of Peru-Bolivian Confederation1836 CE – 1839 CE
South Peruvian Republic was part of Peru-Bolivian Confederation1836 CE – 1839 CE

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Cite this page

APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Peru-Bolivian Confederation. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/peru-bolivian-confederation
MLA: “Peru-Bolivian Confederation.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/peru-bolivian-confederation. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Peru-Bolivian Confederation.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/peru-bolivian-confederation.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Peru-Bolivian Confederation’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/peru-bolivian-confederation (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻