History UsefulNotes / TheChacoWar

The Chaco War (1932-1935) was fought between the Republics of UsefulNotes/{{Bolivia}} and UsefulNotes/{{Paraguay}} over control of the Gran Chaco region. Despite being a wasteland with almost no value, there were rumors at the time claiming that there were oil reverses in the area. Not wanting to miss such an economic opportunity, both countries fought for control of the region and the potential resources that could be gained from it.

The Chaco War (1932-1935) was fought between the Republics of UsefulNotes/{{Bolivia}} and UsefulNotes/{{Paraguay}} over control of part of the Gran Chaco region, a wasteland with almost no value at all.[[note]]A river connecting to the Atlantic Ocean passed through the area, and Bolivia, which used to have a small strip of land that connected it to the Pacific Ocean but lost it to Chile in the UsefulNotes/WarOfThePacific, never accepted the loss of its coastline; it in fact maintains a navy as part of its hope of someday regaining it. Also, it was thought there were rich deposits of oil in the Chaco.[[/note]]

Eventually, both sides, unable to keep advancing, decided to end the war. Even though technically Paraguay won, both countries ended up suffering in the direct aftermath, with many deaths and huge debts to pay. Worst of all, no oil was found at the time, making the whole thing seem pointless. Oil was eventually discovered by Paraguay some 77 years later in 2012. The Paraguayan President even mentioned the losses of the war when the discovery was first announced.

Eventually, both sides, unable to keep advancing, decided to end the war. Even though technically Paraguay won, both countries ended up very badly, with many deaths and huge debts to pay. And worst of it all, the supposed oil never existed, making this war completely worthless. However, Bolivia eventually found out that their territory of Gran Chaco had enormous gas deposits for them to export, making them the winners in the long run.

* A ''Franchise/DocSavage'' adventure, ''The Dust of Death''.

* The ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'' album ''Recap/TintinTheBrokenEar'', in which a 1930s South American conflict is renamed "the Gran Chapo War".[[note]]A pun on ''grand chapeau''-"big hat."[[/note]]

* The ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'' album ''Recap/TintinTheBrokenEar'', in which a 1930s South American conflict is renamed "the Gran Chapo War".

The Chaco War (1932-1935) was fought between the Republics of UsefulNotes/{{Bolivia}} and UsefulNotes/{{Paraguay}} over control of part of the Gran Chaco region, a wasteland with almost no value at all. [[note]]A river connecting to the Atlantic Ocean passed through the area; also, it was thought there were rich deposits of oil in there.[[/note]]

* Franchise/{{Tintin}}'s comic, ''Recap/TintinTheBrokenEar''.

* A ''Franchise/DocSavage'' adventure, ''The Dust of Death''.

* A ''Franchise/DocSavage'' adventure, ''The Dust of Death''.
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!!Tropes set during the war:

* BananaRepublic: The war was fueled in part by oil companies wanting to exploit the area. Standard Oil backed Bolivia and Shell Oil Paraguay. (This was a bit awkward at the time, since Standard was American and Shell was an Anglo-Dutch joint venture, but it seems not to have affected relations too terribly.)
* TheCavalry
* FailureIsTheOnlyOption: This was the fourth conflict lost by Bolivia in history. Bear in mind that it has only ever fought five wars, and that the first and only successful one was the longest independence war fought in South America.
* LawfulStupid: Paraguay requested help from the UsefulNotes/LeagueOfNations. They were as useful as always.
* PyrrhicVictory: The war seriously damaged both sides and brought them to the brink of economic collapse.
* ShaggyDogStory: There was ''no oil'' in the contested area.
* WasItReallyWorthIt: The so-called “Generación del Chaco” still wonder.
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* PresidentEvil: Even considering the GrayAndGrayMorality of the conflict, Bolivian leader Daniel Salamanca comes off quite badly.

'''The Chaco War''' (1932-1935) was fought between the Republics of UsefulNotes/{{Bolivia}} and UsefulNotes/{{Paraguay}} over control of part of the Gran Chaco region, a wasteland with almost no value at all. [[note]]A river connecting to the Atlantic Ocean passed through the area; also, it was thought there were rich deposits of oil in there.[[/note]]

* PresidentEvil: Daniel Salamanca of Bolivia, even considering the GrayAndGrayMorality of the conflict, comes off quite badly.

It started when Bolivia invaded part of the territory and fought a Paraguayan garrison. Bolivia had more population and troops than Paraguay, but they countered with a different style of war, a more homogeneous population and intelligence and supplies from Argentina. They were able to seize a large part of Gran Chaco.

'''The Chaco War''' (1932-1935) was fought between the Republics of Bolivia and Paraguay over control of part of the Gran Chaco region, a wasteland with almost no value at all. [[note]]A river connecting to the Atlantic Ocean passed through the area; also, it was thought there were rich deposits of oil in there.[[/note]]