Since the Congress refused to pass the appropriation bills, he declared that body dissolved and proceeded to levy the taxes by decree.
To this arbitrary and altogether unconstitutional performance the Congress retorted by declaring the President deposed.

Civil war broke out forthwith, and a strange spectacle presented itself.

The two chief cities, Santiago and Valparaiso, and most of the army backed Balmaceda, whereas the country districts, especially in the north, and practically all the navy upheld the Congress.
These were, indeed, dark days for Chile.

During a struggle of about eight months the nation suffered more than it had done in years of warfare with Peru and Bolivia.

Though the bulk of the army stood by Balmaceda, the Congress was able to raise and organize a much stronger fighting force under a Prussian drillmaster.