Showing The Bombardment of Paradise by David J Woods

On March 31, 1866, a Spanish fleet attacked the undefended Chilean port of Valparaiso. The bombardment terrified the residents and goods worth over $200 million today - mostly the property of European merchants in the town - went up in smoke. The action provoked international outrage against Spain for sure, but so too against England and the United States. After all, the two great powers had fleets of their own in Valparaiso Bay; together they would have been strong enough to stop the assault. Indeed, at various point in the weeks before, the two commanders had appeared to be in agreement to do so. Finally, however, they stood a few hundred meters out to see and limply looked on. The townspeople, among whom numbered many Europeans and Americans, were furious, especially the English. Editorial writers in major newspapers fulminated from Washington to Hamburg to St Petersburg to Sydney.
The result was international scandal, national shame and individual dishonour for several heroes of past conflicts. A Chilean diplomat/secret agent went to jail in New York while ministers of the British government were lambasted in Parliament. French merchants demanded their government seek compensation from the near-bankrupt leaders of Spain.
The Bombardment of Paradise tells the story, based on new research of contemporary records in London, France and Chile. It describes the independence of Chile, the arrival Europeans and Americans to seek fortunes as miners, farmers, entrepreneurs and traders, and the developments in Spain that lead to futile wars with Peru and Chile. The lives of some remarkable characters who dominated the drama – including two American Civil War heroes and no less heroic Spanish and British admirals – are described. The position of the United States –the tension between the Monroe Doctrine and the Neutrality Laws – is explored.
The book is profusely illustrated with contemporary photographs, maps and engravings, all included in the Kindle edition.