The Other Pacific War: La Guerra del Pacífico, 1878 - Argentinian Cabinet of Nicolás Avellaneda

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 delegates

The path that Argentina will draw through this crisis is unclear, but it is clear that this conflict will affect the regional balance of power for years to come, and it is thus critical that Argentina come out of this conflict on the winning side. Argentina was invited into the 1873 Peru-Bolivia alliance due to disputes with Chile over Patagonia and the Strait of Magellan. While the Argentinian Chamber of Deputies initially agreed, the Senate later postponed and then rejected the treaty due to disputes with Bolivia over the territories of Tarija and Chaco and fears of a potential alliance between Chile and Brazil. Another aspect influencing Argentinian reluctance to get involved is the fallout from the recent unpopular, though victorious, War of the Triple Alliance and their current conquest of Patagonia. While Argentina stands to gain more from a victory against Chile than against Bolivia, it also stands to lose more from a defeat. In the past, such as during the War of the Confederation, Argentina has allied with Chile against Peru and Bolivia, making a switch to the other side a politically difficult proposition. Argentina must therefore decide the extent of their direct involvement in the conflict, considering a lack of contractual obligations and their distance from the valuable parts of the Atacama Desert. Additionally, Argentina is in a difficult position for military involvement, as any ground forces would have to cross the Andes, and any naval forces would have to pass through the Strait of Magellan. If it does get involved, it must choose a side, and consider what leverage it may use to extract concessions from its chosen ally.

CHAIR: Cynthia Gudaitis

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Negotiating Potential Alliances

Overcoming Geographical Disadvantages

Fixing the Public’s Perception of the Government

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand how geographical realities interfere with economic development and military operations;

• Learn how public opinion shapes government priorities; and

• Evaluate how countries can turn international crises to their benefit.

About the Chair

Cynthia Gudaitis (she/her) is a member of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service class of 2027, majoring in International Politics with a concentration in Law, Institutions, and Ethics, and minoring in Spanish (ask her about her summer study abroad in Barcelona!). She is originally from Brooklyn, New York, but proudly calls Hilton Head Island, South Carolina home, where she lives just a short run away from the ocean. At Georgetown, Cynthia has enjoyed competing on the collegiate circuit with Georgetown’s traveling MUN team, acting as Under-Secretary General for regionals committees for NCSC LII, running (and arguing about track superiority over cross country) with Georgetown Running Club, and singing for Georgetown Music Ministry in the chapel choir. Cynthia is so excited to be chairing the Argentinian Cabinet of Nicolás Avellaneda!

About the Crisis manager

Michelle Giovinazzo is a member of Georgetown College class of 2027, studying the interdisciplinary major of Computer Science, Ethics, and Society and minoring in Spanish. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where her high school life was defined by public speaking – NSDA speech and debate, mock trial, model UN, and a sketch comedy club called Goats of Denmark. At Georgetown, she has loved competing on the collegiate circuit with GUMUN (especially causing chaos in fictional crisis committees). She also served as the Under-Secretary General of JCCs for NCSC LII, and is involved in Hoya Developers and club boxing on campus. Her hobbies include coding / playing video games, an addiction to Starbucks, and being obsessed with murderous fiction (the Hunger Games, the Arrow, the Boys, etc). Michelle is excited to be your CM and see what you come up with!