1824
Battle of Ayacucho
The setting
Pampa de la Quinua, near Ayacucho, Peru
High Andean plateau at roughly 3,300 m altitude
Reveal the outcome
Recorded sidePatriots (United Liberating Army)
Recorded resultDecisive victory
Decisive patriot victory; Sucre attacked as the royalists descended from the heights, broke their army, wounded and captured Viceroy La Serna, and forced the capitulation that ended Spanish military power in South America.
How the atlas explains it
Sucre timed his assault to strike the royalist columns while they were still deploying off the high ground, capitalized on superior discipline and coordination, and the capture of the viceroy collapsed enemy morale and command.
What followed
The decisive battle that ended Spanish rule on the South American mainland; led to the surrender of remaining royalist forces and the creation of Bolivia.