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Paraguay accurately assessed the September 1864 Brazilian intervention in Uruguay as a slight to the region's lesser powers. But Solano Lopez, Paraguayan Dictator, concluded incorrectly that preserving Uruguayan "independence" was crucial to Paraguay's future as a nation. Consistent with his plans to start a Paraguayan "third force" between Argentina and Brazil, Solano Lpez committed the nation to Uruguay's aid. When Argentina failed to react to Brazil's invasion of Uruguay, Solano Lpez seized a Brazilian warship in November 1864. He quickly followed this move with an invasion of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in March 1865. Solano Lpez then decided to strike at his enemy's main force in Uruguay. But Solano Lpez was unaware that Argentina had acquiesced to Brazil's Uruguay policy and would not support Paraguay against Brazil. When Solano Lpez requested permission for his army to cross Argentine territory to attack the Brazilian province of Ro Grande do Sul, Argentina refused. Undeterred, Solano Lpez sent his forces into Argentina, probably expecting local strongmen to rebel and remove Argentina from the picture. Instead, the action set the stage for the May 1865 signing by Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay (now reduced to puppet status) of the Treaty of the Triple Alliance. Under the treaty, these nations vowed to destroy Solano Lpez's government.
^
^^OBJECTIVE:
Both Paraguayans and Brazilians are the protagonists in this conflict. Paraguay seeks to conquer parts of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay while Brazil intends to destroy the Paraguayan nation once and for all.  
^
^^Recommended: Brazilian Empire, Paraguay.
^^Do not play: Argentina, Uruguay.
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