War of 1907

Last updated

War of 1907
Date
  • 11 June 1907 – 20 December 1907
  • (6 months, 1 week and 2 days)
  • Active conflict: 11 June 1907 (1 day)
Location
Central America
Result Salvadoran military victory
Territorial
changes		 Status quo ante bellum
Belligerents
Flag of El Salvador (1875-1877).svg  El Salvador
Commanders and leaders
Flag of El Salvador (1875-1877).svg Fernando Figueroa
Units involved
  • 1st Infantry Regiment [1]
  • 1st Artillery Regiment [1]
Unknown
Strength
82,881–100,000 [1] [2] Unknown
At least 4,000 [3]
1 gunboat [4] [5]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The War of 1907 (Spanish : Guerra de 1907) was a conflict fought between El Salvador and an alliance between Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvadoran exiles, and American filibusters. The invasion of El Salvador on 11 June 1907 resulted in a quick military victory for El Salvador as invading forces withdrew by the end of the day. The war officially ended with the signing of a peace treaty on 20 December 1907 which established the Central American Court of Justice.

Contents

Background

On 13 November 1898, a coup d'état in El Salvador led by General Tomás Regalado overthrew President General Rafael Antonio Gutiérrez, and after the coup, Regalado declared that El Salvador would no longer be a member of the Greater Republic of Central America, which it was a part of at the time. [6] As a result of Regalado's coup, his declaration of secession from the Greater Republic, and the failure of the militaries of Honduras and Nicaragua, the other two members of the Greater Republic, to take action to forcibly prevent El Salvador's secession, the Executive Federal Council of the Greater Republic of Central America voted to dissolve the union on 29 November 1898. [7]

From 1898 to 1903, Rafael Zaldívar, the former President of El Salvador from 1876 to 1885, attempted to convince Regalado and Mexican President Porfirio Díaz to forcibly reestablish a Central American union, like how Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios attempted in 1885, but his efforts failed when Regalado's term ended in 1903. [8] [9] On 20 January 1902, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua signed the Treaty of Peace and Compulsory Arbitration which strengthened political ties between the nations. [10] On 2 November 1903, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua signed another treaty which outlined a similar agreement, and on 21 August 1904, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua signed a third treaty outlining another similar agreement. [11] Despite the treaties, a war erupted in 1906 when Guatemala invaded El Salvador and Honduras. [12] The war was ended with a peace treaty on 25 September 1906 when the United States intervened diplomatically. [13] Another war erupted on 19 February 1907 when Nicaragua invaded Honduras and overthrew President Manuel Bonilla. [14] [15] The war ended with another diplomatic intervention by the United States and Mexico, and the nations of Central America signed the 1907 Central American Treaty of Peace and Amity on 23 April 1907. [2] [15]

War

Illus-059 (Salvador, 20th Century).jpg
Jose Santos Zelaya cph.3a03378.jpg
Fernando Figueroa (left) and José Santos Zelaya (right).

On 11 June 1907, a joint coalition of Honduran and Nicaraguan soldiers, Salvadoran exiles, and American filibusters launched a surprise invasion of Salvadoran territory in open violation of the treaty of peace and amity which was only signed two months prior. [2] [15] [16] [17] The coalition was led by General Manuel Rivas, an exiled Salvadoran military officer who was a leader of the 1894 Revolution of the 44 which brought Gutiérrez to power, General Luis Alonso Barahona, another exiled Salvadoran military officer, and Dr. Prudencio Alfaro, an exiled Salvadoran politician who served as the Vice President of El Salvador under Gutiérrez's administration from 1895 until he was deposed in 1898. [16] [18] [19] José Santos Zelaya, the President of Nicaragua, intended to help install Alfaro as President of El Salvador, deposing incumbent President General Fernando Figueroa in the process. [16] Miguel R. Dávila allowed Honduran soldiers to join the invasion force the day prior to the invasion. [20] During the first month of the invasion, the invading forces commenced a naval landing in Acajutla, capturing the city and seizing locomotives and cars belonging to the Salvadoran Railroad Company in the process, and the army also arrived at the city of Sonsonate. [16]

The day of the invasion, Figueroa gave a speech entitled "Proclamation to the Salvadoran People" in an effort to retain the loyalty and morale of the citizens of El Salvador and of the Salvadoran Army. [16] [21] He stated:

Compatriots: General J. Santos Zelaya, in violation of the faith imposed in international agreements, has broken his solemn obligations contracted through the intervention of the Governments of the United States and Mexico. At day-break this morning he surprised the small military force at Acajutla, and has landed Nicaraguan forces with the object of conquest. Before this brutal offense which the Nicaraguan Government has committed against us, we should all, as one man, gather round the flag of our country and defend it, letting our blood flow rather than allow it to be stained by the adventurers who, in an evil hour, seek to defile it. The national honor, the deeds of our forefathers, the future of our children, and the lofty legends of our people, cry to us to arise and punish the insolence of the Nicaraguan President, and to preserve, not only our military glory and our interests, which recent events in Honduras have shown to be in danger, but the respect that our heroic army has inspired whenever it has been called upon in defense of our country.

Soldiers: Do not permit the consummation of this insolent attempt in the annals of an enlightened people which would fill us with shame and opprobrium, rendering us unworthy to preserve intact the sacred treasure of our autonomy, the honour of our victorious banner and our sovereignty. Before permitting the arms of an audacious adventurer to violate the soil of our beloved country, whose safeguard is entrusted to the national army and to your undoubted patriotism, prefer yes, a thousand times, death with honor on the battlefield, where I will accompany you even to death.

I have full confidence in your loyalty and in your military honor, and I therefore place in your hands the sacred trust of the national defense.

Free and heroic peoples never retreat before the enemy, for they carry in their hearts the conscience of doing their duties and confidence in the right, which assist all worthy and independent peoples to repel aggression against their autonomy.

Salvadorans: In this movement be assured that I shall save, untarnished, the honor of the country and the security of your homes, which are now threatened by the mercenary soldiery of the Nicaraguan ruler.

Your chief and friend,

— Fernando Figueroa, San Salvador, 11 June 1907 [22]

He also telegrammed Dr. Manuel Delgado, the Salvadoran ambassador to the United States, who was in Washington D.C. at the time: [4]

This morning the revolutionists bombarded and captured the port of Acajutla. The forces were commanded by General Manuel Rivas, and came from Corinto in the warship Momotombo , armed by the President of Nicaragua. It is in this manner that President Zelaya complies with the terms of the Treaty of Amapala, which was the result of the intervention of the American Government

In Acajutla, Rivas raided a bank for $20,000 in silver, which led to a personal disagreement between Rivas and Alfaro. [5] Rivas proposed to Alfaro that they split control over the country, with Rivas ruling the east from San Salvador and Alfaro ruling the west from Sonsonate, but Alfaro objected to the proposal. [5] Figueroa later personally led an army to Acajutla, and upon hearing the news, the soldiers under Rivas and Alfaro retreated from the city, using several boats and barges to flee to the gunboat Momotombo which landed them there. [5]

In northern El Salvador, General Salvador Toledo commanded Salvadoran exiles and Hondurans in an invasion along the Salvadoran–Guatemalan border. [23] General Cierra commanded 3,000 soldiers in eastern El Salvador, marching south with the intention of capturing La Unión. [3] Figueroa declared San Salvador to be under a state of siege in order to suspend political guarantees and arrest political opponents, despite not actually being under siege. [3]

The war effectively ended after the first day, as the invading forces withdrew from El Salvador after no direct combat having occurred. [5] The objective of the invasion was to capture the entire country by the end of the month. [5]

Aftermath

On 14 November 1907, the United States opened a peace conference in Washington D.C. to end the war, in which the five nations of Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua were invited. [24] [25] [26] [27] Honduras and Nicaragua presented a plan to reestablish a Central American union, but the plan met objections from the delegates from Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, and the proposal eventually was dropped. [28] On 20 December 1907, the five nations signed the treaty which established the Central American Court of Justice. [26] [29] The Court held its first session on 1 January 1909. [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Football War, also known as the Soccer War or the 100 Hour War, was a brief military conflict fought between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. Existing tensions between the two countries coincided with rioting during a 1970 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The war began on 14 July 1969 when the Salvadoran military launched an attack against Honduras. The Organization of American States (OAS) negotiated a cease-fire on the night of 18 July, hence its nickname. Salvadoran troops were withdrawn in early August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Republic of Central America</span> Former country in Central America (1823–1839/1841)

The Federal Republic of Central America, initially known as the United Provinces of Central America, was a sovereign state in Central America that existed between 1823 and 1839/1841. The republic was composed of five states, and a Federal District from 1835 to 1839. Guatemala City was its capital city until 1834, when the seat of government was relocated to San Salvador. The Federal Republic of Central America was bordered on the north by Mexico, on the south by Gran Colombia and on its eastern coastline by the Mosquito Coast and British Honduras, both claimed by the federal republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Republic of Central America</span> Political union between El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua from 1896 to 1898

The Greater Republic of Central America, later the United States of Central America, originally planned to be known as the Republic of Central America, was a short-lived political union between El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, lasting from 1896 to 1898. It was an attempt to revive the failed Federal Republic of Central America that existed earlier in the century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Ezeta</span> President of El Salvador from 1890 to 1894

Carlos Basilio Ezeta y León was President of El Salvador from 22 June 1890 to 9 June 1894, when he was overthrown in the Revolution of the 44. He was a military ruler. He died on 21 March 1903, aged 50.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rafael Antonio Gutiérrez</span> President of El Salvador from 1894 to 1898

Rafael Antonio Gutiérrez was the president of El Salvador from 10 June 1894 to 13 November 1898. He was a leader of the Revolution of the 44 which overthrew President General Carlos Ezeta from April to June 1894. Gutiérrez served as provisional president until being officially inaugurated in March 1895 after his victory in the 1895 presidential election, in which he was the only candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomás Regalado Romero</span> President of El Salvador from 1898 to 1903

Tomás Herculano de Jesús Regalado Romero was the president of El Salvador from 14 November 1898 until 1 March 1903. He was a military ruler and gained power by deposing Rafael Antonio Gutiérrez, a man he had previously helped achieve control of the country by taking part in a conspiracy to oust Carlos Ezeta four years earlier. Elected to a four-year term in 1899, he promoted the construction of railways, declared an amnesty for political exiles, and began the construction of the Santa Ana Theater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernando Figueroa</span> President of El Salvador in 1885 and from 1907 to 1911

Fernando Figueroa was the President of El Salvador from 14 May to 18 June 1885 and again from 1 March 1907 to 1 March 1911. He also served twice as Minister of National Defense and Governor of San Vicente.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel Enrique Araujo</span> President of El Salvador from 1911 to 1913

Doctor Manuel Enrique Araujo was a Salvadoran politician and physician who served as President of El Salvador from 1 March 1911 until his death on 9 February 1913 to his injuries sustained in an assassination attempt five days prior. Araujo is the only Salvadoran president to have been assassinated while in office.

The Revolution of the 44 was a military rebellion led by a group of Salvadoran generals and landowners, known as "the 44", against the government of President General Carlos Ezeta and Vice President General Antonio Ezeta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pablo Buitrago y Benavente</span>

Pablo Sánchez de Buitrago Sandoval y Benavente was a legitimist Nicaraguan politician who served as the 2nd Supreme Director of Nicaragua from 4 March 1841 to 1 April 1843. He was the first non-acting, elected Supreme Director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Central America–related articles</span>

This is an index of Central America-related articles. This index defines Central America as the seven nations of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Honduras (1838–1932)</span>

Honduras is a republic in Central America, at times referred to as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Salvador–Mexico relations</span> Bilateral relations

The nations of El Salvador and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1838. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.

The 1923 Central American Treaty of Peace and Amity, officially known as the General Treaty of Peace and Amity, 1923, was a treaty signed by the five nations of Central America in 1923 which established that all nations would denounce and not recognize any government which arose in any of the five signatory nations through illegal means. The treaty remained effective from its signing on 7 February 1923 until it was denounced by the Central American Court of Justice in 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Totoposte Wars</span> Series of wars in Central America from 1890 to 1906

The Totoposte Wars were three military conflicts fought in Central America between 1890 and 1906. The First Totoposte War occurred during the presidency of Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián in Guatemala, after the overthrow of Salvadoran President Francisco Menéndez by General Carlos Ezeta in El Salvador, which caused the exile of many Salvadorans who took refuge in Guatemala and who requested the help of President Barillas Bercián to stop the armies of Ezeta. The Second Totoposte War arose after the opposition of Guatemalan President Manuel Estrada Cabrera to the integration of Guatemala with the Greater Republic of Central America since Estrada Cabrera was more inclined to work with the government of the United States. The Third Totoposte War occurred in 1906 in similar conditions. In all three wars, the Guatemalan people mockingly referred to the war as the "Totoposte War" because it only served to consume large amounts of this corn-based food, without actually fighting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barrios' War of Reunification</span> 1885 war in Central America

Barrios' War of Reunification, also known as Barrios' great attempt, was a war initiated by Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios in 1885 with the goal of reunifying Central America. Of the five Central American countries, only Honduras supported Barrios' reunification effort; Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua opposed it, as did Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prudencio Alfaro</span> Salvadoran politician

Prudencio Alfaro Menéndez was a Salvadoran politician who served as Vice President of El Salvador from 1895 until 1898. He later led a joint Honduran-Nicaraguan invasion of El Salvador in 1907.

Relations between the Greater Republic of Central America, also known as the United Provinces of Central America, and the United States were formally established in 1896 following El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua agreeing to form a union similar to the former Federal Republic of Central America. Relations lasted until 1898 when the Great Republic dissolved and relations with the United States continued with the individual states of El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central America under Mexican rule</span> History of Central America (1822–1823)

From January 1822 to July 1823, the Captaincy General of Guatemala, a former Spanish colony, was controlled by the First Mexican Empire, and briefly, the Supreme Executive Power—the provisional government that succeeded Mexican imperial rule. The captaincy general consisted of the provinces of Chiapas, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—the six southernmost provinces of the Mexican Empire. The incorporation of Central America brought Mexico to the height of its territorial extent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Alonso Barahona</span> Salvadoran military officer

Luis Alonso Barahona, sometimes spelt Baraona, was a Salvadoran military officer, politician, and diplomat who served as the minister of war and the navy in 1915. He also served as the governor of the Honduran department of Cortés from 1900 to 1902 and as a deputy to the legislature of the Greater Republic of Central America in 1898. Barahona stood as a presidential candidate in El Salvador in both 1907 and 1911, however, he lost both elections to Fernando Figueroa and Manuel Enrique Araujo, respectively.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Martin 1911, pp. 86–87
  2. 1 2 3 Martin 1911, p. 72
  3. 1 2 3 Martin 1911, p. 69
  4. 1 2 Martin 1911, p. 73
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Martin 1911, pp. 63–64
  6. ↑ Slade 1917, p. 214
  7. ↑ Slade 1917, p. 215
  8. ↑ Slade 1917, p. 204
  9. ↑ Slade 1917, pp. 216–218
  10. ↑ Slade 1917, pp. 218–219
  11. ↑ Slade 1917, pp. 219–221
  12. ↑ Slade 1917, p. 221
  13. ↑ Slade 1917, pp. 221–222
  14. ↑ "Fourth Central American War 1907". On War. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 Slade 1917, p. 223
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Martin 1911, p. 61
  17. ↑ Martin 1911, p. 75
  18. ↑ Appletons' 1895, p. 709
  19. ↑ "Elections and Events 1850–1899". UC San Diego. The Library – UC San Diego. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  20. ↑ Martin 1911, p. 78
  21. ↑ Martin 1911, p. 62
  22. ↑ Martin 1911, pp. 62–63
  23. ↑ Martin 1911, p. 68
  24. ↑ Scott, James Brown (1908). "The Central American Peace Conference of 1907". American Journal of International Law. 2 (1): 121–143. doi:10.2307/2186562. ISSN   0002-9300.
  25. ↑ Anderson, Luis (1908). "The Peace Conference of Central America". American Journal of International Law. 2 (1): 144–151. doi:10.2307/2186563. ISSN   0002-9300.
  26. 1 2 "Elections and Events 1900–1934". UC San Diego. The Library – UC San Diego. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  27. ↑ Slade 1917, p. 226
  28. ↑ Slade 1917, p. 227
  29. 1 2 Martin 1911, pp. 118–119

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.